Iowa, women’s basketball fans react as Monika Czinano’s WNBA dream comes true
One of Monika Czinano’s lifelong dreams came true. On Monday night, the Los Angeles Sparks selected the 6-foot-3 forward with pick No. 26, the second pick of the third round, in the 2023 WNBA draft.
Czinano heads to Hollywood after a final season in Iowa City in which she posted averages of 17.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. The Watertown, Minnesota, native was her typical, highly-efficient self in 2022-23, shooting 67.4% from the floor.
Czinano ranked third nationally in field goal percentage this past season after leading the nation with field goal percentage marks of 67.9% and 66.8% in each of the previous two. Her 67.9% field goal shooting during the 2019-20 season ranked second nationally.
She ends her Iowa career with 2,413 points, 787 rebounds, 152 assists and 65 steals. Her career field goal percentage was a remarkable 67.1% and her career free throw percentage was 75.3%.
Czinano joins a L.A. Sparks team that also drafted South Carolina shooting guard Zia Cooke with the 10th pick and Australia point guard Shaneice Swain with the 14th pick.
“We’re so proud of Monika. She’s an incredibly hard worker that deserves everything she’s getting. I couldn’t ask for a better student-athlete to represent the University of Iowa in the WNBA,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said of Czinano’s draft landing spot.
Iowa fans and the basketball world celebrated the news as Czinano leaps into her professional career. Here’s a sampling of the best reactions nationally.
The pick is in!
With the 26th overall pick in the WNBA Draft, the @LASparks select 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐂𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐨. @MCzinano x #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/52FHzCtwnI
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 11, 2023
That phone call ☎️
✨️Moments like this✨️
Welcome to the Sparks, @MCzinano 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/X42MG4slyA
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 11, 2023
LET'S GO SPARKS
LETS GO SPARKS!!!!!! HAPPY FOR MY GIRL 🤍🤍🤍🤍 @MCzinano GO BE GREAT!!!!!
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) April 11, 2023
Magic Johnson recognizes game!
I enjoyed following Monika’s career in the Big Ten. A great post threat, she has the ability to score down low and has a high basketball IQ! Welcome to LA Monika Czinano! @MCzinano @LASparks
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 11, 2023
Mom was excited that Magic took note
On a Zoom call, Iowa's Monika Czinano reported that there was a lot of screaming and joy while home in Minnesota after she was drafted last night by the Los Angeles Sparks, but added: "My mom was more excited that Magic Johnson tweeted at me."
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) April 11, 2023
Posted up in LA
🪧Posted up in LA🪧@MCzinano is coming to the Sparks. #LetsGoSparks #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/cl8dzIx4nE
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 11, 2023
Look at her now
Iowa was one of Monika Czinano’s only D1 offers and her shot was “messed up” (per Bluder) during her freshman year.
Next four years she finished top three in the country in FG%, made a Final Four and got drafted to the WNBA.
Awesome player to cover for the last two seasons.
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) April 11, 2023
Megan is so, so proud
MONIKA TO LA!!! LOVE YOU AND SO SO PROUD!! 😍🥹@MCzinano 💗 pic.twitter.com/ova6gJ08KA
— Megan Gustafson (@GustafsonMeg10) April 11, 2023
Let's go, Mon!
YEEEAAAAAA MON @MCzinano 💜💜💜
— Tania Davis (@tania_davis1) April 11, 2023
YES!
MONIKA
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) April 11, 2023
What does this mean for the Law Firm???
So like, does this mean the Law Firm now has a west coast office? 🤔@CaitlinClark22 x @MCzinano
— Raina Harmon (@Raina15) April 11, 2023
Expansion
Business expansion 😎
— Monika Czinano (@MCzinano) April 11, 2023
Now serving!
👀👀now serving the west coast
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) April 11, 2023
In case you're curious what you're getting L.A.
The last three seasons for @MCzinano is just confirmation that she’ll do great with the @LASparks! 🫶#WNBADraft x @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/iNLDJ2Ex9k
— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) April 11, 2023
CONGRATS
🌟 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙨 @MCzinano!
🏀 Round 3 | Pick 26
📍@IowaWBB ➡️ @LASparks
⛹️♀️ #B1GWBBall x #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/1QR0uqDc0U— Big Ten Women's Basketball (@B1Gwbball) April 11, 2023
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