Draft Day for #QueenBea
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – From the Magic City to the City of Angels, Beatrice Mompremier is officially a Los Angeles Spark.
“I am grateful and I am honored to have this opportunity to play for the Sparks,” Mompremier said.
Draft day dawned for the Miami native and with it came nerves and excitement for what’s next. Throughout her entire collegiate career, Mompremier worked hard to grow and show the basketball world what she could do.
Finally, her future was here.
Surrounded by her family and close friends, Mompremier awaited her fate as the draft commenced at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
“I was really nervous and anxious the entire day to see where I would end up,” Mompremier said.
Well, at 8:30 p.m., she found out.
Mompremier was the 20th overall draft pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, and turned out to be a “Christmas gift in April,” according to Sparks’ head coach Derek Fisher. A first-round talent according to many mock drafts, Mompremier was a steal at the 20-spot.
“When I got the call, I was really emotional,” Mompremier said. “It was an exciting moment for me and for my family, especially my mom who saw me work so hard and then saw my dreams come true.”
Mompremier joins a talented and experienced Los Angeles team that features strong Atlantic Coast Conference roots as five veterans developed their games in the ACC. One of those five players is Cane great Riquna Williams, who has been with the Sparks since 2017.
Mompremier will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best, including players that have been in the league for more than a decade like Kristi Toliver and Candace Parker.
On the Sparks’ side of the draft, Mompremier was a huge get.
“We were really surprised to still have Beatrice on the board at No. 20,” Fisher said. “The minute that she was still there at 20, it was a no-brainer. We didn’t hesitate.”
Fisher attributes her length and her athleticism, in addition to her ability to run the court and rebound as to why she will be a valuable member of the Sparks organization.
After the selection, it was a flurry of calls and interviews for the redshirt senior. Amidst the activity were numerous shoutouts from the Canes family and notable Los Angeles residents, including tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Finally, the excitement died down and reality could sink in.
“I am just so happy to play for a great organization and learn from the veteran players,” Mompremier said. “[My family] and I are going to enjoy this moment.”
With the start of the WNBA season suspended due to the novel coronavirus, Mompremier will take it day-by-day, continuing to work out, while focusing on what she needs to do to succeed at the next level.
And succeed Mompremier will, living out her mantra of staying true to her game and believing in herself along the way.
Read the Full Release from UM HERE
