Charlisse Leger-Walker joins Gianna Kneepkens at the Sun as second round pick

The final Bruin to get drafted was graduate student guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, who was selected 18th overall by the Connecticut Sun. 

Leger-Walker joined UCLA after four seasons at Washington State, but medically-redshirted the 2024-25 season in Westwood while recovering from an ACL tear. This past season, Leger-Walker was able to take over as a true point guard, relieving Rice from some of the on-ball duties.

Her points per game dropped at UCLA, but only because she was not required to produce as much. Leger-Walker averaged 8.4 points and four rebounds per game on 45.7% shooting from the field.  

At 5-foot-10, she stands as one of the taller true point guards in the draft class and in the league. Leger-Walker averaged a career high 5.6 assists per game – on a 2.54 assist to turnover ratio, placing her ninth in the country – in her most recent season.

The Waikato, New Zealand, local started in every game she played across her six year collegiate career, while also representing her country on the national stage. Her experience makes her a WNBA-ready player that can impact the Sun as soon as she steps on the court. 

Leger-Walker joins a rebuilding Connecticut Sun, filled with guards Shey Peddy and Saniya Rivers, forward Aaliyah Edwards and center Brittney Griner. The Bruin connection continues, as she joins Kneepkens, who was selected by the Sun 15th overall.

(Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)