UC Capitals sign Kristy Wallace for 2 years

The University of Canberra Capitals have signed Australian junior and WNBA prospect Kristy Wallace on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old point guard has spent the last four years playing college basketball for Baylor University’s Lady Bears, in Texas. She co-captained the side in her senior year where she averaged 13 points, five assists and five rebounds a game.

Wallace tore her right anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the Lady Bears in February, but her injury didn’t discourage WNBA outfit Atlanta Dream, who picked her in the second round of the 2018 draft.

She will arrive in Canberra next month to continue her rehabilitation and is excited to make her WNBL debut with the University of Canberra Capitals in the coming season.

“I want to take my game to the next level and I believe Canberra is the place to make that happen,” Wallace said.

“I am really excited to join the UC Capitals, playing in the WNBL has been a big goal of mine. There is so much talent in the league. I can’t wait to play with Leilani Mitchell, Kelsey Griffin and Marianna Tolo – they are great leaders that I can learn a lot from.”

The Queenslander graduated from Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence Program in 2015 and helped the Australian Gems win bronze at the FIBA under-19 World Championships. She was also a member of the 2017 gold medal-winning University Games team alongside UC Capitals teammates Lauren Scherf and Keely Froling.

Wallace attended last year’s Australian Opals camp in Phoenix, Arizona and was named in the All-Big 12 First Team and the Big 12 All-Defensive team after playing a star role for the Lady Bears in 2017.

Head coach Paul Goriss said Wallace had been a standout at Baylor University and was known for her excellent vision and court awareness.

“Kristy is a livewire guard who will bring excitement, intensity and hard work to the UC Capitals line-up for the next two seasons,” Goriss said.

“She is a future WNBA player and we will continue to work with Kristy to break into the Opals team in the future.

“She is a perfect fit to play alongside Leilani Mitchell in the backcourt and together, they will form a dynamic combination for the UC Capitals.”

Wallace will graduate from Baylor University next week with a degree in health and kinesiology.

Photo provided by Basketball Australia