Arella Guirantes selected 22nd overall by Los Angeles Sparks in 2021 WNBA Draft

Former Rutgers star Arella Guirantes was selected as the 22nd pick overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2021 WNBA Draft on Thursday night. She was the 10th pick of the second round.

The Bellport, N.Y. native was projected as a top five pick in mock drafts by many publications and online sites. Instead she ended up going late in the second round. Even so, she has a balanced skill set that should result in her having a successful pro career.

After beginning her college career at Texas Tech, Guirantes played three seasons for Rutgers and was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection. She averaged 17.2 points in her RU career, including 20+ points per game the past two seasons. She averaged 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game this past season as a senior.

Guirantes was the only player to rank among the Big Ten’s top five in points, assists, steals and blocks per game. She was also named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team this season, as well as

In her last game on the banks in the first round loss to BYU, Guirantes produced the fourth highest individual scoring total in NCAA Tournament with 30 points.

Guirantes is the only Rutgers player in program history to average at least 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists in a season and she has done it twice. She is just the third player in program history to record a triple-double in a game. She leaves the college game with 1,696 career points, which is the ninth most of any player to wear the Scarlet Knight uniform.

The two-time All-American honorable mention selectioN is one of five national finalists for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award. She is a top candidate for the Wade and Naismith Trophies for National Player of the Year and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

Guirantes is the 21st Rutgers player to be drafted into the WNBA and will join former Scarlet Knight Erica Wheeler on the Sparks. She could become a great mentor for Guirantes after going from undrafted to 2019 All-Star Game MVP.