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UCLA Basketball: Canada, Billings make the cut for respective WNBA teams

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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Former UCLA basketball players Jordin Canada and Monique Billings have made the cut on their respective WNBA teams after impressive preseason performances.

It was only two months ago that the women’s UCLA basketball team was fighting for survival in the NCAA Tournament. Since then, two former players, Jordin Canada and Monique Billings, have been drafted by the Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream, respectively, and have since made the final cut of 13 with each organization.

RELATED: Canada’s strong start with the Seattle Storm

BOOM! A huge congratulations to these two Bruins!

It has been known for a while that these former UCLA players had the talent to take it to the next level, but making it official is downright exciting. Both were standout players at UCLA that led the Bruins to a 27-8 record and their first trip to the Elite Eight since 1999. Additionally, both were All-Pac-12 members for the last two seasons. On top of that, Canada was Defensive Player of the Year while Billings led the conference in rebounds last season.

Even though the transition has come quick, both have been able to adapt to the professional game  and have been rewarded with spots on their team’s roster.

https://twitter.com/seattlestorm/status/997212840200101889

Billings looks like she will start as a role player off the bench. In two games she played no more than 10 minutes, though she made use of the time she had on the court. In the preseason, she averaged 5.0 points per game, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.5 steals.

Canada has played a slightly larger role with her new club. In her last preseason game, she played a team-high 25:14 minutes. In that time she scored a game-high 17 points. Something tells me that the Seattle braintrust expects a lot from her as she was able to essentially do what she wanted in that last game. In two preseason games, Canada was able to put up 32 total points, That is pretty good for a rookie that was playing college ball just two months ago.

Next: Three Bruins heading to the NBA Combine

Both players will make their regular season debuts on Sunday, May 20 as Billings and her Dream head to Dallas to take on the Wings at noon PT, while Canada and her Storm try to rain down on the Phoenix Mercury at 3 p.m. Go Bruins!