Evina Westbrook

Last updated
Evina Westbrook
Personal information
Born (1998-09-28) September 28, 1998 (age 25)
Salem, Oregon, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight158 lb (72 kg)
Career information
High school South Salem
(Salem, Oregon)
College
WNBA draft 2022: 2nd round, 21st overall pick
Selected by the Seattle Storm
Playing career2022–present
Position Guard
Career history
2022 Minnesota Lynx
2022 Washington Mystics
2023 Phoenix Mercury
2023 Los Angeles Sparks
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing the Flag of the United States.svg  United States
FIBA Under-18 World Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2016 Chile Team

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.

Contents

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
2017–18 Tennessee 33276.390.318.5122.84.30.90.78.4
2018–19 Tennessee 28463.419.380.7213.65.31.60.114.9
2020–21 UConn 30283.454.339.7785.34.31.70.79.4
2021–22 UConn 36323.433.305.7043.73.11.40.29.0
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

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold Career best°League leader

Regular Season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2022 Minnesota 14212.4.318.143.6671.41.40.40.40.92.6
Washington 605.3.667.500.8330.00.50.30.20.53.3
2023 Phoenix 908.0.100.0001.0001.00.40.10.10.41.1
Los Angeles 906.2.300.4001.0000.90.70.20.20.71.1
Career2 years, 4 teams3828.8.301.194.8261.00.90.30.30.72.0

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References

  1. "2017 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - espnW 100". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  2. Arth, Susie (March 7, 2017). "Tennessee recruit Evina Westbrook named Morgan Wootten player of the year". ESPN. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  3. Hansen, Chris. "No. 2 Westbrook Chooses Tennessee". prospectsnation.com. Prospects Nation. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  4. "No. 11 Tennessee sets mark in 131-69 win over Troy". espn.com. AP. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  5. "2018 SEC Women's Basketball Awards announced". secsports.com. SEC Conference. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  6. "Westbrook Named To 2019 Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List". utsports.com. Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  7. McKee, Ben. "Evina Westbrook Enters NCAA Transfer Portal". rockytopinsider.com. Rocky Top Insider. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  8. Bonjour, Doug. "Ex-Tennessee guard Evina Westbrook transfers to UConn". ctpost.com. CT Post. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  9. Connolly, Daniel. "With newfound confidence in her knee, Evina Westbrook ready for big senior season". theuconnblog.com. SB Nation. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  10. Connolly, Daniel. "UConn women's basketball blows out Villanova, 90-52". theuconnblog.com. SB Nation. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  11. Connolly, Daniel. "UConn women's basketball: Evina Westbrook returning for redshirt senior season". theuconnblog.com. SB Nation. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  12. "UConn Wins 2022 #BIGEASTwbb Tournament". bigeast.com. Big East Conference. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  13. Maloney, Jack. "UConn vs. Stanford takeaways: Huskies use defense to outlast defending champion Cardinal in Final Four". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  14. "UConn women's Christyn Williams, Evina Westbrook, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa entering WNBA Draft". Courant.com. Hartford Courant. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  15. "Evina Westbrook Stats". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  16. Krupke, Nick. "Former South Salem star Evina Westbrook drafted by WNBA's Seattle Storm". kptv.com. KPTV. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  17. Martini, Pete. "South Salem grad Evina Westbrook waived by WNBA's Seattle Storm". statesmanjournal.com. Statesman Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  18. Vanoni, Maggie. "Former UConn women's basketball guard Evina Westbrook signs with WNBA's Minnesota Lynx". ctinsider.com. CT Insider. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  19. "Lynx Sign Moriah Jefferson and Evina Westbrook". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  20. "Lynx Waive Guard Evina Westbrook". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  21. Washington Mystics [@WashMystics] (June 27, 2022). "𝙍𝙊𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙐𝙋𝘿𝘼𝙏𝙀: We've signed guard @evinawestbrook. Welcome to DC! #Mystics25 // #TogetherDC" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  22. @WashMystics (May 7, 2023). "We have waived Evina Westbrook and Alisia Jenkins" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  23. https://www.usbasket.com/WNBA/news/809050/Mercury-Claims-Evina-Westbrook-off-Waivers?Women=1
  24. @phoenixmercury (June 22, 2023). "Roster Update: The Phoenix Mercury has signed guard Jennie Simms and waived guard Evina Westbrook, the team announced today" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  25. "Los Angeles Sparks Sign Guard Evina Westbrook to 7-Day Hardship Contract". sparks.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved 1 August 2023.