Evina Westbrook Explained

Evina Westbrook
League:WNBA
Position:Guard
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lbs:158
Birth Date:28 September 1998
Birth Place:Salem, Oregon, U.S.
High School:South Salem
(Salem, Oregon)
College:
Draft League:WNBA
Draft Year:2022
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:21
Draft Team:Seattle Storm
Career Start:2022
Team1:Minnesota Lynx
Team2:Washington Mystics
Team3:Phoenix Mercury
Team4:Los Angeles Sparks
Highlights:
  • Morgan Wootten Player of the Year (2017)
  • Big East All-Tournament Team (2022)
  • SEC All-Freshman Team (2018)

Evina Westbrook (born September 28, 1998) is an American professional basketball player who is a free agent. She most recently played for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball at UConn and Tennessee. She was selected in the 2nd Round of the 2022 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm. During her time in the WNBA, Westbrook has played for the Minnesota Lynx and the Washington Mystics.

College career

Tennessee

Westbrook came out of high school in 2017 as the #2 overall recruit according to ESPN HoopGurlz.[1] That year she received the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year.[2] Westbrook chose to continue her basketball career at Tennessee.[3]

During her freshman season, Westbrook averaged 8.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds, while also starting every game. Her assist average was the second most by a Volunteer freshman. She recorded 12 assists in a game vs. Troy, which placed her 7th in the Tennessee record books and also tied a freshman record.[4] Westbrook was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.[5]

During her sophomore season, Westbrook was named to the SEC Preseason Coaches All-SEC Second Team, Women's Citizens Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List, and Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List.[6] Westbrook averaged 14.9 points and 5.3 assists during the year.

Following the season, Westbrook announced that she would enter the transfer portal.[7] She announced that she would be transferring to Connecticut.[8]

Connecticut

Westbrook sat out the 2019–20 season due to the NCAA transfer rules. While sitting out, she underwent left knee surgery.[9]

During her redshirt junior season, Westbrook started in all 30 games. She averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. She scored a season-high 17 points against Villanova on December 22, 2020.[10] Following the season, Westbrook announced on Instagram that she had "unfinished business" and that she was going to be returning to UConn instead of entering the 2021 WNBA draft.[11]

In her final season, Westbrook bounced in and out of the starting lineup. She stayed consistent in her stats, averaging 9.0 points and 3.1 assists. She helped the Huskies to another Big East title and was named to the All-Tournament team.[12] Westbrook also helped guide the Huskies back to another Final Four. She scored 12 points against Stanford in the semi-finals.[13]

After UConn lost the National Championship game, Westbrook announced that she would be entering the 2022 WNBA draft.[14]

College statistics

YearTeamGPPointsFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2017–18Tennessee33276.390.318.5122.84.30.90.78.4
2018–19Tennessee28463.419.380.7213.65.31.60.114.9
2020–21UConn30283.454.339.7785.34.31.70.79.4
2021–22UConn36323.433.305.7043.73.11.40.29.0
Career1051345.423.334.6743.84.21.40.410.3
[15]

Professional career

Westbrook was selected 21st overall in the 2nd Round of the 2022 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm.[16] She competed in their training camp but was waived and did not make their 2022 Opening Night roster.[17]

Minnesota Lynx

Westbrook signed a hardship contract with the Minnesota Lynx on May 12, 2022.[18] Westbrook's deal with the Lynx changed to a regular contract one day after originally signing the hardship contract.wnba[19] She scored 5 points on 3 different times for the Lynx and had a high of 5 assists on May 14, 2022, against the Chicago Sky. On June 24, 2022, Westbrook was waived from the Lynx after playing in 14 games with the team.[20]

Washington Mystics

On June 27, 2022, Westbrook signed with the Mystics.[21]

Westbrook was waived by the Mystics on May 7, 2023, during the 2023 Training Camp.[22]

Phoenix Mercury

The Phoenix Mercury claimed Westbrook off waivers on May 9, 2023. [23] She played in 9 games for the Mercury, before she was waived on June 22, 2023.[24]

Los Angeles Sparks

Westbrook signed a 7-Day hardship contract with the Los Angeles Sparks on July 31, 2023.[25]

WNBA career statistics

Regular Season

|-| align="left" rowspan=2 | 2022| align="left" | Minnesota| 14 || 2 || 12.4 || .318 || .143 || .667 || 1.4 || 1.4 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 0.9 || 2.6|-| align="left" | Washington| 6 || 0 || 5.3 || .667 || .500 || .833 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 0.5 || 3.3|-| align="left" rowspan=2 | 2023| align="left" | Phoenix| 9 || 0 || 8.0 || .100 || .000 || 1.000 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 0.4 || 1.1|-| align="left" | Los Angeles| 9 || 0 || 6.2 || .300 || .400 || 1.000 || 0.9 || 0.7 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 0.7 || 1.1|-| align="left" | Career| align="left" | 2 years, 4 teams| 38 || 2 || 8.8 || .301 || .194 || .826 || 1.0 || 0.9 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 0.7 || 2.0

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2017 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - espnW 100 . ESPN.com . ESPN . May 12, 2022.
  2. Web site: Arth . Susie . Tennessee recruit Evina Westbrook named Morgan Wootten player of the year . ESPN . July 1, 2022 . March 7, 2017.
  3. Web site: Hansen . Chris . No. 2 Westbrook Chooses Tennessee . prospectsnation.com . Prospects Nation . May 12, 2022.
  4. Web site: No. 11 Tennessee sets mark in 131-69 win over Troy . . AP . May 12, 2022.
  5. Web site: 2018 SEC Women's Basketball Awards announced . secsports.com . SEC Conference . May 12, 2022.
  6. Web site: Westbrook Named To 2019 Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List . utsports.com . Tennessee Athletics . May 12, 2022.
  7. Web site: McKee . Ben . Evina Westbrook Enters NCAA Transfer Portal . rockytopinsider.com . Rocky Top Insider . May 12, 2022.
  8. Web site: Bonjour . Doug . Ex-Tennessee guard Evina Westbrook transfers to UConn . ctpost.com . CT Post . May 12, 2022 . June 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625010421/https://www.ctpost.com/uconn/article/Ex-Tennessee-guard-Evina-Westbrook-transfers-to-13837198.php . dead .
  9. Web site: Connolly . Daniel . With newfound confidence in her knee, Evina Westbrook ready for big senior season . theuconnblog.com . SB Nation . May 12, 2022.
  10. Web site: Connolly . Daniel . UConn women’s basketball blows out Villanova, 90-52 . theuconnblog.com . SB Nation . May 12, 2022.
  11. Web site: Connolly . Daniel . UConn women’s basketball: Evina Westbrook returning for redshirt senior season . theuconnblog.com . SB Nation . May 12, 2022.
  12. Web site: UConn Wins 2022 #BIGEASTwbb Tournament . bigeast.com . Big East Conference . May 12, 2022.
  13. Web site: Maloney . Jack . UConn vs. Stanford takeaways: Huskies use defense to outlast defending champion Cardinal in Final Four . cbssports.com . CBS Sports . May 12, 2022.
  14. Web site: UConn women's Christyn Williams, Evina Westbrook, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa entering WNBA Draft . Courant.com . Hartford Courant . May 12, 2022.
  15. Web site: Evina Westbrook Stats . ESPN.com . ESPN . May 12, 2022.
  16. Web site: Krupke . Nick . Former South Salem star Evina Westbrook drafted by WNBA’s Seattle Storm . kptv.com . KPTV . May 12, 2022.
  17. Web site: Martini . Pete . South Salem grad Evina Westbrook waived by WNBA's Seattle Storm . statesmanjournal.com . Statesman Journal . May 12, 2022.
  18. Web site: Vanoni . Maggie . Former UConn women’s basketball guard Evina Westbrook signs with WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx . ctinsider.com . CT Insider . May 12, 2022.
  19. Web site: Lynx Sign Moriah Jefferson and Evina Westbrook . lynx.wnba.com . WNBA . June 24, 2022.
  20. Web site: Lynx Waive Guard Evina Westbrook . lynx.wnba.com . WNBA . June 24, 2022.
  21. 1541438212312367106 . WashMystics.

    We've signed guard @evinawestbrook. Welcome to DC! #Mystics25 // #TogetherDC

    . Washington Mystics.
  22. WashMystics. May 7, 2023. 1655262250372849669. We have waived Evina Westbrook and Alisia Jenkins..
  23. https://www.usbasket.com/WNBA/news/809050/Mercury-Claims-Evina-Westbrook-off-Waivers?Women=1
  24. phoenixmercury. June 22, 2023. 1671944757885698048. Roster Update: The Phoenix Mercury has signed guard Jennie Simms and waived guard Evina Westbrook, the team announced today..
  25. Web site: Los Angeles Sparks Sign Guard Evina Westbrook to 7-Day Hardship Contract . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA . 1 August 2023.