LA Sparks Select Three Additional Players in 2022 WNBA Draft
April 12, 2022 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Sparks selected Kianna Smith from the University of Louisville with the 16th overall pick, Olivia Nelson-Ododa from the University of Connecticut with the 19th overall pick, and Amy Atwell from the University of Hawaii with the 27th overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Smith, a 6-foot guard from Moreno Valley, California, averaged 11.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 62 total games for the Lady Cards over two seasons. Prior to transferring to Louisville, she played in 65 total games (64 starts), averaging 9.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists in two seasons with University of California.
"We approached this draft needing wing players as well as additional shooting, "General Manager/Head Coach Derek Fisher said. "Kianna Smith fits both those needs. She excelled on the biggest stage in the Final Four this season and we're happy to welcome Kianna to LA."
Nelson-Ododa, an All-BIG EAST First Team Selection in 2022, played in 133 total games for the Huskies, holding career averages of 9.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. The 6-foot-5 center from Lansing, Michigan helped lead UConn to four consecutive Final Fours in her collegiate career.
"Olivia Nelson-Ododa was a contributor on both ends of the floor for a UConn program that went to four consecutive Final Fours in her tenure," Fisher said. "We're excited to see how her size, length, rebounding, and passing ability can translate at the next level."
Atwell, a guard/forward from Australia, is the first player from the University of Hawaii drafted since 1997. This past year she won the Big West Conference Player of the Year, and led her team to the NCAA tournament. In the first-round against Baylor, Atwell poured in 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. During her senior season, she averaged 17.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 38.4% on 3-pointers on 6.6 attempts per game.
"Amy Atwell is one of the better shooters in the 2022 class, not just in her ability to convert her attempts but in the way she can get her shot off," Fisher said. "Atwell coming to camp gives us another floor spacer and versatile, perimeter player."
The draft picks of Smith, Nelson-Ododa, and Atwell followed the selection of Rae Burrell with the ninth pick.
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