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UCLA Basketball: Jordin Canada and Monique Billings’ professional debuts

By Mike Regalado

2 Jul 2000: A view of the court WNBA Logo taken before a game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Sparks defeated the Shock 85-63. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Danny Moloshok /Allsport
2 Jul 2000: A view of the court WNBA Logo taken before a game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Sparks defeated the Shock 85-63. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Danny Moloshok /Allsport /
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Two former women’s UCLA basketball players made their professional debuts (albeit preseason) as Jordin Canada created a storm in Seattle and Monique Billings finds her role in Atalnta’s front court.

Things move a little faster with women’s basketball and two former UCLA basketball players are finding that out quickly. On March 25, 2018, the Bruins played their last game of the 2017-18 season as they lost to #1 Mississippi State in the Elite Eight.

Forty-five days, later, Jordin Canada and Monique Billings are already playing professional ball.

RELATED: Canada, Billings selected in the 2018 WNBA Draft

The Bruins had an up and down season that had some disappointments, but also had a lot of highlights, two of which were Canada and Billings themselves. Both Bruins were spectacular in their roles and had some of the top stats in the Pac-12. Canada was tied for 6th in scoring with 17.0 ppg and second in assists with 7.1. Billings was the conference’s top rebounder with 9.5, but also added 15.3 points of her own, second on UCLA.

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With this kind of talent, there was no doubt both would head to the professional ranks and that all came true on April 12 when Canada was picked 5th overall by the Seattle Storm and Billings taken 15th by the Atlanta Dream.

In the last three days, both finally got a chance to live out their dream (no pun intended) as both played in their first professional game.

With the WNBA starting the preseason this week, Atlanta got things going on Sunday, May 6 against the Chicago Sky as the Dream rolled to a 78-61 win. Billings, played almost ten minutes in the game and went 3/7 from the field for 6 points. She also showed her dominance under the glass with 5 rebounds. Expect these stats to improve as she gets more comfortable in her role.

Canada and Seattle got their season going on Tuesday when the Storm played to a 73-69 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Canada was the top choice off the bench as she logged nearly 23 minutes of play, the most for a non-starter. In that time, she did not disappoint as she was one of three players to score a team-high 15 points, going 4/9 from the floor. She also added three rebounds, three assists and a game-high five steals. Looks like she could be locking up a role earlier than expected.

Next: UCLA Men's Basketball: Tuesday’s big recruiting day and needs for the future

Billings and the Dream have one more preseason game on Friday, May 11 against the Connecticut Sun before they officially start the season on May 20 against the Dallas Wings. Canada and the Storm again take on Phoenix this Saturday before they play the Mercury to start the season on May 20.