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UCLA Basketball: Jordin Canada, Monique Billings invited to WNBA Draft in NYC

By Mike Regalado

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 8: An aerial view of Lower Manhattan at dusk, September 8, 2016 in New York City. New York City is preparing to mark the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 8: An aerial view of Lower Manhattan at dusk, September 8, 2016 in New York City. New York City is preparing to mark the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) /
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Jordin Canada and Monique Billings of the Women’s UCLA basketball team will head to New York to be a part of the WNBA Draft festivities.

It was a tough season for the women of UCLA basketball but a lot of good came out of it. Though the Bruins were not able to capture the Pac-12 as predicted before the season, the Bruins were able to make it back to the Elite 8 for the first time since 1999.

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Behind that march in the NCAA Tournament were two Bruins who have left their legacy, and some big shoes to fill. Seniors Jordin Canada and Monique Billings were the driving force behind UCLA’s season, but will now move on to the next chapter in their lives.

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That begins with a trip to New York City.

Both Canada and Billings are two of ten women’s college basketball players that have been invited to the Big Apple to take part in this year’s WNBA Draft which will occur on Thursday, April 12 (the first round will be broadcast on ESPN2, Rounds 2 and 3 on ESPNU).

Both players have not only made a mark at UCLA, but have garnered the attention across the nation for their efforts in Westwood. Canada became the Pac-12 all-time leader in assists with 831, breaking a 27-yeard old record. She also became only the second player in Pac-12 history to tally more than 1,800 points and 700 assists, a feat only accomplished by Oregon State’s Gary Payton.

While Canada was running things in the backcourt, Billings had control in the front court. Billings led the Pac-12 in rebounds with 9.5 per game and is second in all-time rebounds at UCLA with 1,159. She also broke a record of her own as she is UCLA’s all-time leader in blocks with 228.

Next: Jordin Canada leaves big shoes to fill

With this kind of production, it is going to be hard to replace these two legends, but things look bright for both Bruins and on April 12, they will be able to take the next step in their illustrious basketball careers. Go Bruins! Go Jordin and Monique!