Former Oregon Duck and Eugene Native Lexi Bando will begin her professional career in Los Angeles.
Lexi Bando set records at the University of Oregon and in the Pac-12 Conference for three-point percentage and was one of the more dependable players in her four seasons with the Oregon Ducks.
She helped rebuild the team into a National Contender from the ground floor and left the team in good hands after an Elite 8 appearance last season and going deep into the NCAA Tournament again this year with the Tournament starting at Matthew Knight Arena,
Bando did not hear her name called during the WNBA Draft but was signed as a Free Agent by the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday. While teams are still working on finalizing the roster for the upcoming season, other players are being offered Training Camp invites.
The former Oregon Duck now has an official start to her professional career with Los Angeles.
Basketball is in her blood. Since High School, she has been a three-point threat. She first won High School Championships at Matthew Knight Arena before becoming an Oregon Duck and taking a gamble with then new Head Coach Kelly Graves. Four years later she joins three WNBA Draft picks as part of the Los Angeles Sparks for the 2018 season.
The @LA_Sparks have signed undrafted prospect Lexi Bando. #WNBAFreeAgency
— Women’s Hoopz (@WBBWorldWide) April 17, 2018
Bando will be missed at Oregon, but she leaves the team in good hands. Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard have carved out their respective roles on Offense. When Bando was injured late in the season, Mallory McGwire stepped into the starting role and found success from the inside post position with a shot from inside the key that was very hard to stop.
Next: Oregon Baseball: Ducks Need To Find Offensive Momentum
The Oregon Ducks finished the home slate in 2017-18 with a 16-1 record and 33-5 overall. The Ducks lost to Notre Dame in the final of the Spokane Regional 84-74 in the NCAA Tournament.