Evina Westbrook

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Evina Westbrook

| image =

| caption =

| width =

| number =

| team =

| league = WNBA

| position = Guard

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lbs = 158

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|9|28}}

| birth_place = Salem, Oregon, U.S.

| high_school = South Salem
(Salem, Oregon)

| college = * Tennessee (2017–2019)

UConn (2019–2022)

| draft_league = WNBA

| draft_year = 2022

| draft_round = 2

| draft_pick = 21

| draft_team = Seattle Storm

| career_start = 2022

| years1 = {{WNBA Year|2022}}

| team1 = Minnesota Lynx

| years2 = {{WNBA Year|2022}}

| team2 = Washington Mystics

| years3 = 2023

| team3 = Athletes Unlimited

| years4 = {{WNBA Year|2023}}

| team4 = Phoenix Mercury

| highlights = * SEC All-Freshman Team (2018)

Morgan Wootten Player of the Year (2017)
McDonald's All-American (2017)

| medal_templates = {{MedalSport|Women's basketball}}

{{MedalCountry|the {{bkw|USA}}}}

| years5 = {{WNBA Year|2023}}

| team5 = Los Angeles Sparks

| years6 = 2025–present

| team6 = Athletes Unlimited

}}

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.{{cite web |title=2017 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - espnW 100 |url=https://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/rankings/_/class/2017 |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 12, 2022}} That year she received the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year.{{cite web |last1=Arth |first1=Susie |title=Tennessee recruit Evina Westbrook named Morgan Wootten player of the year |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/story/_/id/18842609/tennessee-lady-vols-recruit-evina-westbrook-named-2017-morgan-wootten-player-year |website=ESPN |access-date=July 1, 2022 |date=March 7, 2017}} Westbrook chose to continue her basketball career at Tennessee.{{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Chris |title=No. 2 Westbrook Chooses Tennessee |url=https://prospectsnation.com/story/no-2-westbrook-chooses-tennessee |website=prospectsnation.com |publisher=Prospects Nation |access-date=May 12, 2022}}

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.{{cite web |title=No. 11 Tennessee sets mark in 131-69 win over Troy |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/400987875 |website=ESPN |publisher=AP |access-date=May 12, 2022}} Westbrook was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.{{cite web |title=2018 SEC Women's Basketball Awards announced |url=https://www.secsports.com/article/22594749/2018-sec-women-basketball-awards-announced |website=secsports.com |publisher=SEC Conference |access-date=May 12, 2022}}

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.{{cite web |title=Westbrook Named To 2019 Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List |url=https://utsports.com/news/2018/10/22/womens-basketball-westbrook-named-to-2019-nancy-lieberman-award-watch-list.aspx |website=utsports.com |publisher=Tennessee Athletics |access-date=May 12, 2022}} Westbrook averaged 14.9 points and 5.3 assists during the year.

Following the season, Westbrook announced that she would enter the transfer portal.{{cite web |last1=McKee |first1=Ben |title=Evina Westbrook Enters NCAA Transfer Portal |url=https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2019/04/05/evina-westbrook-enters-ncaa-transfer-portal/ |website=rockytopinsider.com |date=5 April 2019 |publisher=Rocky Top Insider |access-date=May 12, 2022}} She announced that she would be transferring to Connecticut.{{cite web |last1=Bonjour |first1=Doug |title=Ex-Tennessee guard Evina Westbrook transfers to UConn |url=https://www.ctpost.com/uconn/article/Ex-Tennessee-guard-Evina-Westbrook-transfers-to-13837198.php |website=ctpost.com |publisher=CT Post |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625010421/https://www.ctpost.com/uconn/article/Ex-Tennessee-guard-Evina-Westbrook-transfers-to-13837198.php |url-status=dead }}

=Connecticut=

Westbrook sat out the 2019–20 season due to the NCAA transfer rules. While sitting out, she underwent left knee surgery.{{cite web |last1=Connolly |first1=Daniel |title=With newfound confidence in her knee, Evina Westbrook ready for big senior season |url=https://www.theuconnblog.com/2021/11/2/22722654/uconn-huskies-womens-basketball-newfound-confidence-in-knee-evina-westbrook-ready-big-senior-season |website=theuconnblog.com |date=2 November 2021 |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=May 12, 2022}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Connolly |first1=Daniel |title=UConn women's basketball blows out Villanova, 90-52 |url=https://www.theuconnblog.com/2020/12/22/22196351/uconn-huskies-womens-basketball-blows-out-villanova-90-52 |website=theuconnblog.com |date=22 December 2020 |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=May 12, 2022}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Connolly |first1=Daniel |title=UConn women's basketball: Evina Westbrook returning for redshirt senior season |url=https://www.theuconnblog.com/2021/4/4/22365672/uconn-huskies-womens-basketball-evina-westbrook-returning-for-redshirt-senior-season |website=theuconnblog.com |date=4 April 2021 |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=May 12, 2022}}

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.{{cite web |title=UConn Wins 2022 #BIGEASTwbb Tournament |url=https://www.bigeast.com/news/2022/3/7/womens-basketball-uconn-wins-2022-bigeastwbb-tournament.aspx |website=bigeast.com |date=7 March 2022 |publisher=Big East Conference |access-date=May 12, 2022}} Westbrook also helped guide the Huskies back to another Final Four. She scored 12 points against Stanford in the semi-finals.{{cite web |last1=Maloney |first1=Jack |title=UConn vs. Stanford takeaways: Huskies use defense to outlast defending champion Cardinal in Final Four |url=https://www.cbssports.com/womens-college-basketball/news/uconn-vs-stanford-takeaways-huskies-use-defense-to-outlast-defending-champion-cardinal-in-final-four/ |work=CBS Sports |date=2 April 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2022}}

After UConn lost the National Championship game, Westbrook announced that she would be entering the 2022 WNBA draft.{{cite web |title=UConn women's Christyn Williams, Evina Westbrook, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa entering WNBA Draft |url=https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/hc-sp-uconn-women-enter-wnba-draft-20220406-pfkwa6uaffas3hy4i353iek44a-story.html |website=Courant.com |date=7 April 2022 |publisher=Hartford Courant |access-date=May 12, 2022}}

College statistics

class="wikitable"; style="text-align:center"; !Year !Team !GP !Points !FG% !3P% !FT% !RPG !APG !SPG !BPG !PPG
2017–18 \|Tennessee \|33 \|276 \|.390 \|.318 \|.512 \|2.8 \|4.3 \|0.9 \|0.7 \|8.4
2018–19 \|Tennessee \|28 \|463 \|.419 \|.380 \|.721 \|3.6 \|5.3 \|1.6 \|0.1 \|14.9
2020–21 \|UConn \|30 \|283 \|.454 \|.339 \|.778 \|5.3 \|4.3 \|1.7 \|0.7 \|9.4
2021–22 \|UConn \|36 \|323 \|.433 \|.305 \|.704 \|3.7 \|3.1 \|1.4 \|0.2 \|9.0
colspan=2; align=center\|Career !105 !1345 !.423 !.334 !.674 !3.8 !4.2 !1.4 !0.4 !10.3

class="wikitable"; style="text-align:center";

!Year

!Team

!GP

!Points

!FG%

!3P%

!FT%

!RPG

!APG

!SPG

!BPG

!PPG

2017–18

|Tennessee

|33

|276

|.390

|.318

|.512

|2.8

|4.3

|0.9

|0.7

|8.4

2018–19

|Tennessee

|28

|463

|.419

|.380

|.721

|3.6

|5.3

|1.6

|0.1

|14.9

2020–21

|UConn

|30

|283

|.454

|.339

|.778

|5.3

|4.3

|1.7

|0.7

|9.4

2021–22

|UConn

|36

|323

|.433

|.305

|.704

|3.7

|3.1

|1.4

|0.2

|9.0

colspan=2; align=center|Career

!105

!1345

!.423

!.334

!.674

!3.8

!4.2

!1.4

!0.4

!10.3

{{cite web |title=Evina Westbrook Stats |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/stats/_/id/4280890/evina-westbrook |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 12, 2022}}

Professional career

Westbrook was selected 21st overall in the 2nd Round of the 2022 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm.{{cite web |last1=Krupke |first1=Nick |title=Former South Salem star Evina Westbrook drafted by WNBA's Seattle Storm |url=https://www.kptv.com/2022/04/14/former-south-salem-star-evina-westbrook-drafted-by-wnbas-seattle-storm/ |website=kptv.com |date=14 April 2022 |publisher=KPTV |access-date=May 12, 2022}} She competed in their training camp but was waived and did not make their 2022 Opening Night roster.{{cite web |last1=Martini |first1=Pete |title=South Salem grad Evina Westbrook waived by WNBA's Seattle Storm |url=https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/sports/2022/05/05/south-salem-grad-evina-westbrook-waived-by-wnba-seattle-storm/65353784007/ |website=statesmanjournal.com |publisher=Statesman Journal |access-date=May 12, 2022}}

=Minnesota Lynx=

Westbrook signed a hardship contract with the Minnesota Lynx on May 12, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Vanoni |first1=Maggie |title=Former UConn women's basketball guard Evina Westbrook signs with WNBA's Minnesota Lynx |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/uconn/article/UConn-women-s-basketball-guard-Evina-Westbrook-17168321.php |website=ctinsider.com |publisher=CT Insider |access-date=May 12, 2022}} Westbrook's deal with the Lynx changed to a regular contract one day after originally signing the hardship contract.{{cite web |title=Lynx Sign Moriah Jefferson and Evina Westbrook |url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/lynx-sign-moriah-jefferson-and-evina-westbrook/ |website=lynx.wnba.com |publisher=WNBA |access-date=June 24, 2022}} She 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.{{cite web |title=Lynx Waive Guard Evina Westbrook |url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/lynx-waive-guard-evina-westbrook/ |website=lynx.wnba.com |publisher=WNBA |access-date=June 24, 2022}}

=Washington Mystics=

On June 27, 2022, Westbrook signed with the Mystics.{{Cite tweet|number= 1541438212312367106 |user=WashMystics|title=𝙍𝙊𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙐𝙋𝘿𝘼𝙏𝙀: We've signed guard @evinawestbrook. Welcome to DC! #Mystics25 // #TogetherDC|author=Washington Mystics}}

Westbrook was waived by the Mystics on May 7, 2023, during the 2023 Training Camp.{{cite tweet|user=WashMystics|date=May 7, 2023|number=1655262250372849669|title=We have waived Evina Westbrook and Alisia Jenkins.}}

=Phoenix Mercury=

The Phoenix Mercury claimed Westbrook off waivers on May 9, 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.usbasket.com/WNBA/news/809050/Mercury-Claims-Evina-Westbrook-off-Waivers?Women=1 | title=US Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings }} She played in 9 games for the Mercury, before she was waived on June 22, 2023.{{cite tweet|user=phoenixmercury|date=June 22, 2023|number=1671944757885698048|title=Roster Update: The Phoenix Mercury has signed guard Jennie Simms and waived guard Evina Westbrook, the team announced today.}}

=Los Angeles Sparks=

Westbrook signed a 7-Day hardship contract with the Los Angeles Sparks on July 31, 2023.{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Sparks Sign Guard Evina Westbrook to 7-Day Hardship Contract |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/los-angeles-sparks-sign-guard-evina-westbrook-to-7-day-hardship-contract/ |website=sparks.wnba.com |publisher=WNBA |access-date=1 August 2023}}

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

References

External links

{{Basketballstats}}
[https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/evina-westbrook/11744 UConn bio]
[https://utsports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/evina-westbrook/6742 Tennessee bio]

Category:1998 births

Category:Living people

Category:American women's basketball players

Category:Guards (basketball)

Category:Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball players

Category:UConn Huskies women's basketball players

Category:Seattle Storm draft picks

Category:Minnesota Lynx players

Category:Basketball players from Salem, Oregon

Category:Phoenix Mercury players

Category:21st-century American sportswomen

Category:Athletes Unlimited basketball players