UNCASVILLE — As soon as Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker returned to their shared apartment at UCLA after the WNBA Draft, they realized they’d made a terrible mistake.
The Bruins teammates didn’t pack any of their belongings before flying to New York to attend the draft, but after another cross-country flight home to Los Angeles, the pair had barely 24 hours to put their entire lives in boxes before heading back to the East Coast to join the Connecticut Sun. Kneepkens was drafted No. 15 overall by the Sun, and Leger-Walker went just three picks later at No. 18.
Advertisement
“It was horrendous,” Leger-Walker said with a laugh after the second day of training camp Monday. “We got back from New York and had one day to pack up our entire apartment. I don’t know what we would have done if my parents weren’t there to help us, but we probably finished around 2 a.m., then woke up at 5 a.m. to get ready to leave to come here. So that was insane.”
Kneepkens and Leger-Walker helped lead UCLA to the first NCAA title in program history on April 5, and they were among the record six Bruins seniors who heard their names called on draft day. Kneepkens was one of the most efficient scorers in the country averaging 12.8 points shooting 49.3% from the field, 42.9% from 3-point range and 93.3% at the free throw line. Leger-Walker led the Bruins in assists averaging 5.6 per game plus 8.4 points, four rebounds and a team-high 1.6 steals.
Exactly two weeks after hoisting the championship trophy under blue and gold confetti in Phoenix, the duo stepped back on the floor as professionals for the first time when WNBA training camp opened Sunday.
From French phenom to UCLA duo, meet the Connecticut Sun’s 2026 WNBA Draft class
Advertisement
The abruptness of the transition is jarring, both mentally and physically, but it’s been invaluable for both former Bruins to have each other to lean on through the rollercoaster experience. Though they may not be roommates anymore, Leger-Walker said they’re practically still living together with how often they’re in each other’s apartments watching TV shows or playing games.
“It’s literally been the best thing ever,” Leger-Walker said. “I don’t know what I would have done without her here with the transition, knowing you have a sister, roommate, all of the things, someone who you can just talk to and rely on, and you kind of understand what each other is going through. It’s been really nice, and I’m super grateful that we have that opportunity to do this together.”
That relationship is also important on the court. On a training camp roster that features 11 newcomers to the Sun, Leger-Walker and Kneepkens came in with an instant chemistry and understanding of each other’s games that is helping their integration with the rest of the team.
“I think just having automatic trust with each other makes it really easy,” Kneepkens said. “We can talk to each other about anything — basketball, not basketball — so I think just having someone like that is super helpful. Then obviously on the court, just knowing where each other are and being used to playing with each other helps, but we’re also having fun just learning other players and getting to know where their spots are too.”
Advertisement
While Kneepkens and Leger-Walker were competing in the national championship game, former UCLA star Kennedy Burke watched raptly from more than 7,000 miles away. Burke, who graduated college in 2019, was still in the midst of her overseas season with CBK Mersin in the Turkish Super League, but she tuned into watch her Bruins tip off at 11:30 p.m. local time.
“With the group of girls that they had, I knew it was their year,” Burke said. “The time difference, it was bad, but I was like nah, I’m staying up for these Bruins … I got a little emotional. I started crying a little bit (when they won).”
Burke signed a one-year contract with the Sun in 2026 after spending the last two seasons with the New York Liberty, and she’ll take on a much bigger role in Connecticut as one of the team’s only true veterans. Of 17 players on the Sun’s training camp roster, 12 have less than three seasons of WNBA experience, and Burke is one of just three players with at least five years in the league. Burke said she’s not naturally a vocal leader, but Kneepkens named Burke as one of the vets she’s leaned on through the first two days of practice. While the rookies haven’t had time to swap stories with Burke about their UCLA experiences, there’s an additional level of comfort just having that point of connection.
“Coming in as rookies, they knew what they had to bring, and I feel like these past two days, they’ve really showed what they can do,” Burke said. “They’re talking, if they have questions, they ask. They just have good energy, and it’s nice to have fellow Bruins with myself.”
Advertisement
Kneepkens and Leger-Walker knew WNBA training camp would be faster and more physical than anything they experienced in college, but both said they’ve been challenged by the intensity of competing at this level. Still, the pair appear to be settling in quickly. Leger-Walker dished a deep pass from the backcourt to Aaliyah Edwards for an easy transition layup that drew celebration from teammates and coaches alike during the practice period open to media Monday, and Kneepkens was draining 3-pointers while putting up extra shots after the team’s workout concluded.
“It’s hard coming in your first two days of like, you’ve dreamt about being a pro your whole life,” Sun general manager Morgan Tuck said. “They just finished up their season, so I think they’re obviously in shape, they know what they’re doing, and I think they’re sticking with it. There’s always a little bit of a learning curve in getting used to a new team, new system, but I think that they’re mature enough and have handled that really well.”
Connecticut Sun training camp notes: Former Huskies embrace leadership, French stars arriving late
