Chanelle Molina’s got the Fever.
Molina is getting her shot at the dream: the WNBA.
The former Konawaena and Washington State basketball standout announced on Monday that she has signed a training camp contract with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. In 15 games with the Norrköping Dolphins of the Swedish Basketball League, the 5-foot-9 guard is averaging 18 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2 steals per game. She is shooting 43 percent from 3-point range and 52 percent overall from the field with just 1.8 turnovers per game.
“I’m super excited,” Molina said late Monday night, European time.
On the Fever’s site, Coach Marianne Stanley expressed her insights about Molina.
“Chanelle recorded an excellent career at Washington State in the very challenging Pac-12 Conference. She is a skilled and versatile guard who will bring high energy and competitiveness to our training camp,” Stanley said. “She is having a great year overseas in Sweden this season because of how she has continued to improve.”
Indiana last won the WNBA championship in 2012.
Earlier in the season, she modestly downplayed the possibility of playing in the WNBA this year, but her numbers were too strong to ignore. Going into the 2020 WNBA draft, speculation was that the Connecticut Sun would be a good landing spot. Instead, the Sun drafted a 3-point specialist.
Molina had been coming off a minor knee injury suffered during the Pac-12 season. She rehabbed quickly, and the opportunity in Sweden opened up.
Molina, a three-time Star-Advertiser All-State player of the year, will have to earn a spot on the Fever’s 12-player roster. Things happened quickly, and she will learn more on Tuesday when she meets virtually with the franchise’s coaches.
She expects to stay with Norrköping, which is 9-6 and in position to make the playoffs, until the end of the season in the spring.
The plans could change.
“(WNBA) training camp starts April 25, I believe. Our playoffs will end around there, so after that, I’ll be going straight (to Indiana),” she said.
The dream is so alive. Molina has a message for her family, friends and longtime fans.
“I just want to thank everyone for all the love and support throughout the years,” she said. “You guys are the fuel that keeps me going!”
Last year I predicted she would be in the WNBA in 2021.
I think she will not only make the team but become a starter by mid-season!
Congratulations, make your Ohana & Hawaii proud..