Uncasville, CT (April 11, 2022) – With three picks in the 2022 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm®, the Connecticut Sun selected Nia Clouden from Michigan State University at No. 12, Jordan Lewis from Baylor University at No. 24, and Kiara (Kiki) Smith from the University of Florida at No. 36.
Clouden comes to the Connecticut Sun from four successful seasons with Michigan State University. The Owings Mills, Maryland native finished her collegiate career second all-time on the Michigan State scoring list with 1,882 points, along with 465 rebounds, 449 assists and 164 steals. During the 2021-22 season, Clouden was fifth in the Big Ten in scoring averaging 20.0 points per game, which also landed her at 20th in the nation. She broke the school record for points in a single contest, when she tallied 50 points in a double overtime loss to Florida Gulf Coast during the 2021-22 regular season. As a Spartan, Clouden earned first team All-Big Ten honors in both her junior and senior seasons, All-Big Ten second team as a sophomore and All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition as a freshman. She also was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All American in her senior campaign.
“Nia is who we targeted from the beginning of draft preparations,” General Manager and Head Coach Curt Miller said. “We feel she brings us a dynamic scoring combo guard that can score at all three levels.”
Lewis, a Windermere, FL native, comes to Connecticut after playing her graduate season with the Baylor Bears. As a graduate transfer, she made an immediate impact at Baylor averaging 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the 2021-22 season. In her final year, she was named the Big XII Newcomer of the Year and also picked up All-Big XII First Team honors. Prior to her time with the Lady Bears, Lewis played for the University of Alabama garnering All-SEC Second Team (2021), SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year (2020), SEC Newcomer of the Year (2017), and SEC All-Freshman Team (2017) honors. She finished her college career with 1,994 points, 669 rebounds, 695 assists and 200 steals over six seasons at Alabama and Baylor.
“First and foremost, Jordan’s a winner,” said Miller. “She’s an outstanding point guard with a high basketball IQ. She is an excellent three-point shooter and a very physical defensive guard.”
Smith comes to the Connecticut Sun after finishing her collegiate career at the University of Florida. The District Heights, MD native played three seasons with the Florida Gators after transferring from ASA College in New York, where she spent two seasons. During her career at the University of Florida, Smith amassed 1,508 points, 621 rebounds, 438 assists and 220 steals. In her final season at Florida, she became just the third Gator to be named to the SEC All-Defensive team and also earned SEC First Team honors. Smith was named a region finalist for the 2022 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America team. During the 2021-22 season, she scored in double-figures in 24 outings, including leading her team with a season-best 27 points in a comeback victory at No. 25 Texas A&M. She finished her career at Florida 12th in total points scored, fifth in free throws made (340), fifth in steals, fourth in assists and third in minutes played (3,983).
“This is a huge pick for the future of the Connecticut Sun,” Miller said. “We valued her as a potential first round selection before her devastating season-ending injury and have spoken about the opportunity to draft Kiki and support her through her knee surgery and rehabilitation, and we look forward to her being at our 2023 training camp.”
The Connecticut Sun will celebrate its 20th Anniversary as a franchise this year. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.connecticutsun.com.
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