Jordin Canada Shines as Emerging WNBA Star in Sixth Season with Los Angeles Sparks
Former UCLA Standout and Two-Time Champion Elevates Game in Her Hometown Team
Jordin Canada, a celebrated two-time WNBA champion, is marking her sixth season and second with her hometown team, the Los Angeles Sparks, as she emerges resolutely as a genuine starter at the next tier of play.
Standing at a height of 5’6″, Canada was initially drafted as the fifth pick from UCLA by the Seattle Storm. Her journey began with championship victories in 2018 and 2020, playing a vital role as a reserve on a team that boasted two future Hall of Famers: Sue Bird, a 13-time All-Star point guard, and Breanna Stewart, a five-time All-Star, one-time MVP, and an ongoing dominant force on the court.
In this season, Canada has seized the spotlight as a full-time starter for the Sparks. She’s been averaging an impressive 13.8 points while displaying shooting splits of .409/.333/.891, accompanied by 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game, all of which are the highest marks in her career thus far.
The publicity team at the Sparks is taking an assertive stance, not only endorsing Canada for the Most Improved Player accolade but also nominating her for a spot in the All-Defensive Team—an achievement that would be her first in the professional league.
During her tenure with the UCLA Bruins from 2014 to 2018, Canada established herself as a formidable two-way guard. Throughout her 137 regular-season college games, her performance stood out, with an average of 15.7 points per game and an impressive shooting split of .415/.332/.794. Her contributions extended beyond scoring, as she showcased her skills in dishing out 6.1 assists, securing 4.1 rebounds, and remarkably, nabbing 2.5 steals per game.
Canada’s prowess on the defensive end was consistently recognized during her time at UCLA. With three-time Pac-12 All-Defense honors and the distinction of being named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in her senior season, she solidified her reputation as an exceptional defender. Her achievements also included two-time NCAA All-Region selections, acknowledgment as an Associated Press All-American, and the title of the 2014-15 Pac-12 Rookie of the Year. The prospect of her defensive capabilities gaining recognition at the professional level is certainly thrilling, coupled with her noteworthy progress as a scorer.
