Congratulations, Bulls! Read The Oracle’s Spring 2024 Graduation Edition by clicking here.

Tsineke, Mendjiadeu declare for WNBA Draft

Guard Elena Tsineke and forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu formally entered their names into the 112-player WNBA draft pool on Thursday. USF ATHLETICS PHOTO

In a press release issued on Thursday via the WNBA website, senior guard Elena Tsineke and forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu announced their inclusion as candidates for the 2023 WNBA draft. 

Tsineke and Mendjiadeu were two of 112 players listed from universities and colleges who have declared to the 2023 draft.

As stated in the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, domestic players are draft eligible when they turn 22 during their draft year. Players must also fall under one of three other conditions:

  • She has completed her college eligibility
  • She has graduated with an undergraduate degree or is scheduled to receive such in the three months after the draft  
  • She is at least four years removed from high school graduation

After successful senior seasons, the pair have proven worthy of hearing their names called on draft night. 

Tsineke and Mendjiadeu were named American Athletic Conference Co-Players of the Year, unanimous selections to the American All-Conference First Team and honorable mentions on the WBCA All-American list. 

They led the Bulls to their ninth NCAA tournament appearance in program history but were defeated by No.1 South Carolina in the second round.

In the 2022-23 season, Tsineke led the conference in scoring at 17.9 points per game. She shot 45.2% from the field, 38.3% from behind the arc and made 79.4% of her free throw attempts.

The senior guard announced she has signed with the sports agency Sports International Group through a post on her Instagram account on Thursday. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqs4fznufUE/

Mendjiadeu performed just as impressively, averaging 16.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game this year. Her rebounding average ranked fifth in the NCAA and she grabbed double-digit boards 26 times. She shot 58.6% from the field and scored in double figures in 30 of 34 games played.

As of Friday, Mendjiadeu has not announced her own representation.

The 2023 WNBA Draft takes place on Monday at Spring Studios in Manhattan, New York. It will be broadcast on ESPN at 7 p.m. EST.