Former Konawaena and Washington State standout Lia Galdeira was selected by the Washington Mystics with the No. 19 overall pick in the second round of the 2016 WNBA Draft on Thursday.
The selection marks a variety of historic firsts. Galdeira — a 2012 Konawaena grad — is the first Big Islander to be taken in the WNBA draft, and is believed to be the first Hawaii-born player as well. The pick also made Galdeira — a 5-11 guard — the first Washington State player drafted.
“If Lia reaches her potential, she can be one of the exciting finds of this draft. She can score in a large variety of ways,” Mystics general manager and head coach Mike Thibault said in a press release. “She has great court vision which makes her an excellent passer. She is a great athlete, which allows her to also be a good rebounder and she led the Bulgarian League in steals. Her biggest adjustment will be at the defensive end of the court, where she will have to get used to playing against great scorers every night.”
Washington also selected Rutgers swingman Kahleah Copper in the first round and St. John’s guard Danaejah Grant (31st overall) in the third.
Under coach Bobbie Awa, Galdeira and the Wildcats won HHSAA Division I state championships in 2009, ’11 and ’12, Galdeira’s freshman, junior and senior years. In 2010, the Wildcats finished runner-up to Lahainaluna for the state title. Galdeira was the three-time Hawaii state player of the year.
“What a great opportunity for one of the all-time great Wildcats,” Konawaena athletic director Bill Trumbo said. “Being selected in the top 20 of the 2016 WNBA draft is a tribute to the nurturing environment and the support provided by the entire south Kona community.”
“We have been the beneficiaries of many great athletes over the years, but Lia was very special. She has great instincts and explosive quickness, which set her apart and a passion and love of the game which is unparalleled.”
Just like she did as a Wildcat, Galdeira made her mark during her three years Washington State. She ranks second in all-time scoring with 1,710 career points. She also is second in career 3-pointers with 160, second in career steals (271), and fourth in career made free throws (308). Galdeira — a three-time all-Pac-12 selection — scored in double figures 88 times over her collegiate career and recorded 34 career 20-point games.
“Huge hug and congrats to our flying Hawaiian,” chimed in Washington State women’s basketball head coach June Daugherty on Twitter after the selection.
Galdeira decided to forgo her senior season to play professionally overseas. In 2015-16, she played for Haskovo 2012 in Bulgaria where she averaged 22.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
Galdeira, along with fellow 2012 Wildcat alum Dawnyelle Awa, established somewhat of a pipeline from Kealakekua to Pullman. Current Konawaena senior Chanelle Molina — one of the most decorated athletes in BIIF history — has signed on to join the Cougars next season.
