Former UCLA basketball players Jordan Canada and Monique Billings are both heading to the WNBA playoffs with their respective teams, the Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream, after both earned berths.
Is it a coincidence that the first two teams to make it into the WNBA playoffs have former UCLA basketball players Jordin Canada and Monique Billings on them? (Actually, that thought originally came from Joy Hong of the Daily Bruin).
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This past week, both the Seattle Storm and the Atlanta Dream clinched spots in the 2018 WNBA Playoffs. Respectively, both are the no. 1 and no. 2 teams in the WNBA standings and if they hang onto those positions, they will get first and second round byes in the playoffs.
Currently, Seattle is the top team in the league with a record of 23-8. They have a two-game lead on the Atlanta Dream. Both squads have three games left, so if they keep on their winning ways, they will secure the top post-seaosn spots.
Canada has been a key figure in Seattle’s success. The point guard is the de facto sixth woman on the team and Sue Bird’s main backup. Canada is sixth on the team in minutes (16.4), points (5.7) and third in assists (3.3).
Billings has a more reserved role on the Dream, though she is a key contributor. Not only has she played in 29 games, averaging 11.0 minutes per game, but she is adding 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest.
Just a few days ago, Billings helped Atlanta reach a franchise-record 21 wins with a spectacular last-second shot from distance.
MO HITS THE BUZZER BEATER! 💥💥 pic.twitter.com/Am0FWtymLV
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 11, 2018
With both former UCLA women’s basketball players helping their new squads out in the playoffs, and potentially landing the top two spots, we might see Bruin versus Bruin in the WNBA Championship. Now that would be a game that would make it hard to pick sides. Go Bruins!