Former Gonzaga WBB Forward Yvonne Ejim Searches for WNBA Opportunity
With the WNBA’s 30th season now officially underway, Gonzaga women’s basketball is still searching for more representation at the highest level. To this point, only two former Zags have logged minutes: future Hall of Famer Courtney Vandersloot and point guard Katelan Redmond, who played 42 total minutes over seven games with the New York Liberty in 2012.
Yet, the Bulldogs have had nine players drafted to the “W” throughout their history, including three across the last three years. In 2024, GU had a couple of second-round selections, Brynna Maxwell and Kaylynne Truong, who were taken 13th and 21st overall, respectively. But Maxwell suffered an injury in training camp and was cut by the Chicago Sky, opting to play professionally in Spain for a year before becoming an assistant coach at Eastern Washington. Meanwhile, Truong was waived by the Washington Mystics shortly before regular season games commenced and has played the last two years competing overseas in Greece and Poland.
Their teammate of six seasons combined in Spokane, 6-1 forward Yvonne Ejim, heard her name called in New York a year later. The Indiana Fever selected Ejim 33rd overall and waived her less than a month after drafting her as well. But unlike some of her alma mater peers, Ejim recently signed a training camp contract with the Toronto Tempo, remaining in the mix as one of those on the cusp of making her WNBA debut.
After the Fever cut her, Ejim played in San Sebastian, Spain, where she averaged 9.8 points and 5.9 rebounds on 48.2% shooting from the field and 37.8% from beyond the arc for IDK Euskotren. Ejim took major strides in her three-point shooting after it was not a notable part of her game during her five years as a Zag. The Calgary, Alberta native also suited up for Team Canada in March for the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament. Averaging a tick over 20 minutes in five games, Ejim posted 4.2 points and 4.6 rebounds a contest while knocking down four of six tries from the outside.
She continued to grow and develop during her time with Gonzaga, culminating in about as storied a tenure as a collegiate player could ask for. Ejim won WCC Player and Defensive Player of the Year twice, was a First-Team All-WCC selection three times, and won Sixth Woman of the Year during her sophomore campaign. By the time it was all set and done, Ejim had set program records in points scored (2,385), rebounds collected (1,140), field goal percentage (55.1%), and tied Troung for most games played (161). Also holding the respective single-season records and becoming the first WCC player to reach 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career, Ejim surely racked up the accolades as a Bulldog.
But now with sights set on breaking into the “W”, Ejim has to continue expanding her game. As an undersized big, the value she brings by stretching the floor will be a difference maker. Her production was originally built on her post game and footwork down low, then eventually evolved into her being lethal when pulling up in the mid-range.
Looking at the Tempo’s current roster, Ejim would be the team’s shortest forward, and is the same height as guard Marina Mabrey. With WNBA roster slots being as precious as they are, coupled with Ejim’s unfavorable standing on the depth chart, the odds are against her of finding some playing time this season for the team based in her home country. Currently listed as out due to “personal decision,” Ejim’s first moments in the “W” will still have to wait.
