Long Beach State senior Karina Figueroa canceled her spring break plans for the chance to play in the WNBA.
After the Los Angeles Sparks extended her an invitation earlier this month to attend a pre-draft training camp, Figueroa hopped on a plane to San Antonio, Texas.
“I was supposed to go to Palm Springs and Lake Havasu,” Figueroa said.
Sparks Vice President and General Manager — and LBSU alum — Penny Toler said the organization is searching for a guard that can run the floor and knock down jump shots.
The 5-foot-8 Figueroa might be just what the Sparks are looking for.
“She’s a dynamic guard and what I really like about her is that she’s tough, hard-nosed and smart,” Toler said. “She carries the tempo of the game and is a really good shooter. I’m very interested to see if she can make it at the next level.”
According to LBSU senior Brett Timmons, who was Figueroa’s teammate for the past four seasons, no other 49er player had been invited to a training camp during her time with the program.
“I think everyone who has been here with her for four years is her number one fan,” Timmons said. “I’m so excited for her and she deserves it.”
Figueroa said she had jitters during the beginning of the pre-draft training camp, but overall it was a great experience. She also signed with agent Clifford Smith, who flew out from Connecticut to meet with her two days before the WNBA draft.
The draft was conducted the week following camp and although Figueroa was not drafted, the Sparks still expressed interest in the Corona native.
Figueroa signed a one-year contract on Sunday, April 11, and checks into training camp on April 22. Her contract will be honored if she successfully makes the 11-player roster.
She acknowledged that she has a tough task at hand, as the players she will compete against for a roster spot will be as good or better than she is.
Figueroa said she hopes to gain more exposure for the LBSU program and draw more recruits by putting the Big West Conference’s name out there.
“I’m going to give it my all. I’m training everyday, I’m lifting, I’m shooting, I’m getting my conditioning in, and I’m going to give it everything I got to make this team,” she said. “They’re going to recognize who I am one day or another.”
The WNBA season kicks off in late May, giving the talented ball-handler roughly one month to impress the Sparks with her court vision and dazzling passes.
Figueroa could have the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd, when the Sparks take on the San Antonio Silver Stars in a preseason contest at the Walter Pyramid on May 8.
As for the opportunity Figueroa has been presented with, she said she still hasn’t wrapped her head around it.
“It’s like every girl’s dream who plays basketball, to play in the WNBA,” she said flashing a smile. “It’s an honor and privilege. It’s definitely a memory that I’m going to keep forever, and not that many people have the opportunity, so I’ll definitely take it.”
Figueroa completed her NCAA career as the leading scorer for the 49ers this past season, averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
She put the finishing touches on a stellar senior campaign by leading the Big West with 166 assists and was named an All-Big West first team selection.
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