The Tasmania Jewels have landed one of the biggest names available for their inaugural WNBL season, signing WNBA 15th draft pick Gianna Kneepkens as their first import player.
Kneepkens, a 23-year-old guard, is in her rookie season with the Connecticut Sun after going viral in her debut against New York with a long three-pointer.
She won a national championship with UCLA this year and is widely considered one of the most efficient scorers and three-point shooters in the game, boasting a 94% free throw rate.
She is the highest ranked international WNBA draft pick to sign for the WNBL27 season, with the Jewels still holding one import spot.
Jewels head coach Claudia Brassard said the signing was a statement of intent.
“We’re building a team that Tasmanian fans are going to love,” Brassard said.
“We have a roster of players who work hard and will play harder.”
“Gianna is a tremendous shooter and wait until you see our final import, she’s also brilliant,” she said.
“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.”
The Minnesota-born Kneepkens has not yet visited Australia but said her approach fits right in.
“I’m not always the fastest or the strongest, but I like to put in the most work,” she said.
“My strengths are shooting. I want to rebound. I want to defend hard. I want to win.”
She credited thousands of hours in the gym for her shooting ability.
“When I’m able to get those runs up by myself, then when I’m in the game, I’ve already felt it, so I have the confidence to do it,” she said.
Her signing is subject to WNBL review and approval.
The Jewels open their season on October 15 at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart, with their first Launceston Silverdome game on October 31.
