Set to be drafted in the WNBA in a few days, Calgary-born Olympian Yvonne Ejim has poured her heart into basketball.
Many children dream of becoming professional athletes as children, but for Ejim, that reality is closer than ever.
With the WNBA draft happening on Monday, she has created a name that is hard to go unnoticed.
She is a standout player, giving teams many reasons to select her in the professional league’s draft.
“I am overwhelmingly excited, overwhelmingly nervous. It’s bittersweet. It’s happy, it’s sad,” said Ejim in an interview with the Calgary Journal.
Calgary roots
Born and raised in Calgary, Ejim is no stranger to competition.
Growing up with four older brothers taught her to compete amongst the best.
Her entire family loves basketball, so inevitably, young Ejim took up the sport, too.
She started playing basketball across the city—a fun activity, which quickly developed into a passion.
Ejim was first recognized as a 13-year-old in the Canadian Basketball program, and she quickly skyrocketed from there.
Ejim has put in countless hours of training to better herself and eventually reach her goal of becoming a professional basketball player.
“When I go to practice, my best foot is forward and I’m going out there to compete and get better,” says Ejim.
Canadian lessons for U.S. varsity basketball
Growing up in Canada, Ejim learned many lessons.
She traveled the world, understood the importance of teamwork, and played against elite athletes. Most importantly, the program taught Ejim the importance of gratitude.
Ejim, a fifth-year forward for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane, WA, played for the Canadian Olympic team in Paris last summer.
She says she values her experience playing for Gonzaga’s intercollegiate basketball powerhouse.
“I step into the day and be grateful for the people I’m around, the opportunity at Gonzaga and the opportunity to provide for myself and grow and learn in this space,” said Ejim.
Highschool B-Ball
In high school, Ejim focused on her athletics.
The effort and hard work she put in did not go unnoticed. She had offers from a handful of schools, and although it was a hard decision, it was clear what Ejim’s next steps were.
Ejim ended up at Gonzaga University. Although she found it hard moving away from her family, the school felt like home.
She entered a lively community where she could thrive on the court and in the classroom. She has fallen in love with the school, and it will be a bittersweet goodbye this spring.
“What kept me at Gonzaga was people,” says Ejim. “ They know me, (and) they support women’s basketball.”
Ejim found major success during her time with the Bulldogs.
She was a leader and competed in every game, making a noticeable impact. Her dedication and willingness to work hard are unmatched.
Ejim has many awards, but is especially proud of her WCC Defensive Player of the Year award.
The award justified her countless hours of training and her consistent drive to be the best.
“It shows effort, and that is something you can’t drill into a person,” said Ejim.
The Canadian Olympic team
Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed back in Canada.
Ejim was selected to represent Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was an honour to represent her home.
It was important for Ejim to exemplify that just because you are from Alberta, you can’t compete with the best.
She received endless backing from her community and was blown away by the team’s national support.
The games were extra special because she could share the stage with her brother Melvin. The two of them grew up challenging each other on the court, and it was an incredible moment for them to share.
Ejim understands the importance of representation and hopes to inspire youth in Calgary.
She organizes a local camp, For The Culture, and acts as a role model for young basketball players. She mentors their skills on the court and teaches valuable lessons.
The program has now been put on hold as Ejim heads into the WNBA draft.
Hopes set on WNBA
This new chapter for Ejim is exciting but also daunting.
It will dictate what the next couple of years will look like. Playing in the WNBA has been her dream forever, and she is close to making it a reality.
The draft is unpredictable, but she has high hopes heading into it. She has put everything on the line to reach this point, as this is all she has wanted.
All that’s left is for her name to be called Monday night.
