Louisville Cardinals shooting guard Kiki Jefferson has been selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the third round of the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Kiki Jefferson started her career at James Madison. She played four seasons there before transferring to Louisville for her fifth season of college basketball. Jefferson went on to be named Second-Team All-ACC following the 2023-24 season. She previously had been named the 2023 Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player, 2023 Sun Belt Player of the Year, and 2023 First Team All-Sun Belt. Prior to James Madison moving to the Sun Belt, she had been All-CAA First Team and All-CAA Second Team in back-to-back seasons.
In her season at Louisville, Kiki Jefferson played in 34 and started 32 games for the Cardinals. In that season, she averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. She also shot 34.9 percent from three-point range.
For her five-year career, Jefferson played in 150 games and started 142 of them, giving her plenty of experience. In that time, she averaged 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, she averaged 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.
Over the course of her career, Kiki Jefferson scored a total of 2,257 points. With that, she finished her career 155th all-time in women’s college basketball for scoring.
Louisville’s season ended in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament when the Cardinals were upset by Middle Tennessee State. Kiki Jefferson was limited in that game, only playing for just 13 minutes. It was a frustrating final note for her in college. However, now she’s looking to find success as she transitions to the WNBA.
Kiki Jefferson announced her decision to declare for the WNBA Draft in an announcement that she made shortly after the season came to an end for Louisville.
“My reason and my motivation have always been my family,” Jefferson wrote. “And through it all they have always had my back. My dream since elementary school has been to play in the WNBA and now, I can say that I am following my dream and declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft. So, the little girl from Lancaster PA keep going God forever has a plan for you. From 30 to 12, let’s see what’s next.”
Now, thanks to her selection, Kiki Jefferson is going to get to live out her dream of being a WNBA player who could make waves as she transitions to the league.
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