UCLA alum Gianna Kneepkens signs with the Tasmania Jewels in the WNBL

· Yahoo Sports

Sometimes one league just isn’t enough. Even though former UCLA Bruin national champion Gianna Kneepkens is in the midst of her rookie season in the WNBA with the Connecticut Sun, Kneepkens has signed an agreement to play for the Tasmania Jewels in the Women’s Pro Basketball League (WNBL) on Sunday.

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No, this doesn’t mean that Kneepkens is leaving the WNBA. The WNBL begins their season in October, which is conveniently a month after the WNBA playoffs wrap up earlier that month.

Currently the Connecticut Sun are in last place of the Eastern Conference, meaning that a deep WNBA playoff run is unlikely for Kneepkens and the Sun. A short turnaround isn’t unfamiliar territory for Kneepkens, who began her WNBA career quickly after winning the NCAA title with the Bruins.

WNBL teams are allowed two “import” players, bringing in players from other leagues. While the Jewels haven’t announced their second import, head coach Claudia Brassard seems quite excited for both imports coming to their roster.

“Gianna is a tremendous shooter, and wait until you see our final import, she’s also brilliant,” Brassard said in the team's release. “Quality players want to play for Tasmania, and that speaks volumes about us as a team, Tasmania as a home, and our incredible fans too.” 

Kneepkens was a first round pick for the Sun. She’s currently putting up 3.0 points, 1.0 rebounds per game and is shooting just 24% from three. It hasn’t been the rookie season Kneepkens had hoped for but perhaps a stint in Australia in the WNBL will get her back on track for her second season in the WNBA.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA alum Gianna Kneepkens signs with the Tasmania Jewels in the WNBL

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