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Tag: Vanessa de Jesus

  • Gilas Women’s Vanessa De Jesus finds new path in WKBL with Busan BNK after WNBA draft miss

    Gilas Women’s Vanessa De Jesus finds new path in WKBL with Busan BNK after WNBA draft miss

    Vanessa De Jesus’ journey to professional basketball has taken another major turn. After chasing a dream on one of the biggest stages in women’s basketball through the WNBA Draft, the Gilas Pilipinas Women standout is now set to begin a new chapter in South Korea’s Women’s Korean Basketball League (WKBL).


    The Filipino-American guard will make her professional debut with Busan BNK Sum in the 2026–27 season, bringing with her the experience of competing at the collegiate and international levels.

     

    De Jesus spent five seasons playing for Duke University before finishing her college career with Notre Dame. She later declared for the 2026 WNBA Draft, hoping to become one of the newest players to break into the world’s premier women’s basketball league, but ultimately went undrafted.

     

    For De Jesus, the move to Busan comes as BNK looks to bounce back after a difficult 2025–26 season. The club, which won the 2024–25 WKBL championship, finished fifth the following year and fell short of another deep playoff run.

     

    With De Jesus entering the lineup, BNK gains a guard who has experience playing in high-pressure environments. Her presence could provide a boost in ball movement, perimeter scoring, and leadership as the team aims to return to championship contention.

     

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    The 5-foot-8 guard has already built a strong connection with the Philippines, representing Gilas Women in two editions of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. 

     

    Her ability to create plays, handle pressure, and compete against elite international opponents made her one of the notable names in the national team pool.

     

    Joining De Jesus in the WKBL is fellow Gilas Women standout Alexis Pana, who is set to suit up for defending champion Cheongju KB Stars.

     

    Pana arrives in South Korea with a résumé shaped by years of international exposure. The 5-foot-9 guard has played professionally in Romania, Germany, Luxembourg, Lithuania, and Australia, giving her valuable experience across different styles of basketball.

     

    The Filipino-Hawaiian guard also made her mark closer to home, leading Pilipinas Aguilas during the inaugural WMPBL tournament two years ago. 

     

    She also represented Gilas Pilipinas Women in the 2025 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, adding another layer to her international background.

     

    Pana joins a Cheongju KB Stars team coming off a title-winning campaign in the 2025–26 WKBL season. The reigning champions add another versatile guard who can contribute defensively while also bringing international maturity to an already competitive roster.

     

    The arrival of De Jesus and Pana highlights the growing pathway for Filipino women’s basketball players overseas. Their WKBL move is not just another professional opportunity, it is another step in expanding the presence of Gilas Women talents on the Asian basketball stage.

     

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  • Vanessa de Jesus takes WNBA shot after steady rise with Notre Dame, Gilas Women

    Vanessa de Jesus takes WNBA shot after steady rise with Notre Dame, Gilas Women

    For Vanessa de Jesus, the next step isn’t just a dream—it’s a decision. After years of building her game across college basketball and international play, the Gilas Pilipinas Women guard has officially declared for the 2026 WNBA Draft, signaling her intent to test herself at the highest level of the sport.

     

    The announcement, made Friday evening (Manila time), places de Jesus among the growing list of Filipina talents daring to break into the world’s premier women’s basketball league.

     

    Her journey to this point has been defined less by flashes and more by steady progression.

     

    In her final collegiate season with Notre Dame, de Jesus carved out a reliable role, averaging 8.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while helping power the Fighting Irish to an Elite Eight appearance. Their run ended against the University of Connecticut, but not before showcasing the guard’s ability to contribute in high-stakes situations.

     

    Her season had its standout moments. On November 11, 2025, de Jesus delivered her best outing—22 points, three rebounds, and three steals in a dominant 98–52 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson. It was the kind of performance that highlighted her scoring ability, but more importantly, her readiness to take control when needed.

     

    That composure carried into the postseason. Across four tournament games, she logged heavy minutes—33.5 per contest—while averaging 8.0 points and 3.8 rebounds, proving she could hold her own under pressure and against elite competition.

     

    Before Notre Dame, de Jesus also spent time with Duke University, adding another layer of experience to her collegiate résumé. Now at 24 years old and standing 5-foot-8, she brings a blend of maturity, versatility, and international exposure into the draft process.

     

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    And that international experience may be her biggest edge.

     

    De Jesus has been a consistent presence for Gilas Pilipinas Women, suiting up in the 2023 and 2025 editions of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division A. In those tournaments, she didn’t just participate—she produced.

     

    Her breakout on that stage came in 2023, when she dropped 25 points, four assists, and two steals in a 92–81 win over Chinese Taipei, a performance that underscored her ability to deliver against top Asian competition. She finished that tournament averaging 12.8 points per game, ranking 10th overall.

     

    Two years later, she elevated that output to 13.2 points per game in the 2025 edition—good for ninth in the tournament—further cementing her reputation as one of the team’s most dependable scorers.

     

    Now, all of that builds toward a single moment. The WNBA Draft, set for Tuesday, April 14 (7:00 a.m. Manila time) in New York, will determine whether de Jesus’ steady climb translates into an opportunity at the next level.

     

    But regardless of the outcome, her declaration marks something bigger than a personal milestone.

     

    It’s another step forward for Filipino representation in global women’s basketball—and another player willing to take that leap.

     

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