The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball was already a close bunch. Their bond became even stronger after the team helped capture UCLA’s first-ever NCAA title earlier this month over South Carolina. The team’s connection carried over from the season to the WNBA Draft on Monday.
Of the six UCLA players selected in the WNBA Draft, only five were invited to the draft in New York City, with guard Charlisse Leger-Walker not making the cut for the WNBA’s invitation list. While not getting the nod must have been a bummer for Leger-Walker, a Bruin teammate made sure that she’d be in attendance for the draft.
UCLA forward Angela Dugalic gave away two of her seats at the draft for Leger-Walker and her mother. Dugalic, along with every other draft invitee, got a table for themselves and their family, but Dugalic sacrificed two spots at the table to let Leger-Walker get the experience as well.
After five Bruins went in the first round, including Dugalic, Leger-Walker was taken with the 18th overall pick by the Connecticut Sun. Leger-Walker becomes the first player from New Zealand ever taken in the WNBA Draft, and she got to celebrate in-person.
Leger-Walker likely would have been able to get in the building in some capacity, as UCLA’s entire team was present for the draft Monday, but Dugalic ensured that her point guard got the proper experience.
It’ll be a long time before UCLA can top their amazing 37-1 2025-2026 team but little things like this helps create a culture of doing the right, selfless things to help others. Now Dugalic and Leger-Walker will be opponents, with Dugalic landing alongside Lauren Betts on the Washington Mystics while Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens join the Sun.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Angela Dugalic helped secure Charlisse Leger-Walker a draft seat
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
