UCLA’s Canada is drafted No. 5

Bruins point guard goes to Seattle. Sparks select Russian center with 11th WNBA pick.

UCLA point guard Jordin Canada was selected fifth overall by the Seattle Storm in the WNBA draft on Thursday night in New York, the heir apparent to 15-year veteran Sue Bird.

“I can’t put it into words ... my parents have sacrificed so much for me,” said Canada, who led the Bruins to the Elite Eight for only the second time in school history and finished her career in Westwood as the Pac-12 Conference all-time assists leader.

“Sue is a role model to me. I’m going to try to learn and absorb everything she gives to me and take that and run with it.”

Canada is UCLA’s first top-five pick since guard Noelle Quinn was chosen No. 4 by Minnesota in 2007. The only other Bruins player chosen in the top five was guard Lisa Willis at No. 5 by the Sparks in 2006.

UCLA forward Monique Billings was selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Dream during the second round.

With the 11th pick, the Sparks chose 6-foot-4 Russian center Maria Vadeeva, a 19-year-old who led Dynamo Kursk to the 2017 Euro League championship. With the 23rd overall pick the Sparks chose Florida State forward Shakayla Thomas.

“Vadeeva is a strong post player and at 19 years old, she is highly decorated and a top young player in Europe,” Sparks coach Brian Agler said. “She is very strong and versatile with great skills and strength.”

Added Sparks general manager Penny Toler: “Maria is arguably the best young talent in all of Europe. She’s a very skilled post player that is very comfortable playing both with her back to the basket or facing up. The sky is the limit for her!”

Las Vegas had the No. 1 pick and, as expected, chose national player of the year A’ja Wilson from South Carolina.

Indiana chose Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell at No. 2 and Chicago selected Tennessee guard Diamond DeShields at No. 3 and UConn forward Gabby Williams at No. 4.