UC Capitals sign WNBA #1 draft pick
The UC Capitals are excited to announce their final signing of season 2024/25, welcoming American import and former WNBA #1 draft pick, Charli Collier, to the team.
The Texas born 6’5” center joins the team after spending time playing in the USA, China, Poland, Israel and Italy, and is looking forward to continuing her international career in Australia.
“I’m excited to join the team! Playing in Australia presents a new challenge that I’m eager to take on, I’ve played against multiple different styles of play and I’m looking forward to getting involved in this one,” she said.
Collier spent the 2023/24 season playing in China with Heilongjiang Dragons Daqing, where she recorded a career-high performance of 39 points and 15 rebounds.
After spending much of her professional career overseas, Collier is eager to be competitive and bring her knowledge and experience to the Caps.
“This season I not only hope to win as a team but also to get better each day as a team,” she said.
Charli Collier dominated the college game averaging 19.0 PPG, 11.3 RPG at Texas 😤
The WNBA game is next. @brhoops pic.twitter.com/lChxYuYvwh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 15, 2021
UC Capitals head coach, Paul Gorris, said he is thrilled to be filling his final roster spot with a player of Collier’s talent.
“I am excited to have someone of Charli’s calibre join the Caps. There was a huge void to fill at the center spot for us and we needed a strong body, an interior presence that can play back to basket and face to basket and we found that in Charli,” Gorris said.
Gorris is expecting Collier to be a big focus of the Caps game at both ends of the floor and will fit in well with the team.
“Charli is a 6’5” centre that is also very versatile and play both inside the paint and can shoot from the perimeter.
She can run the floor, play in transition and is an elite rebounder. Charli will enhance how we want to play, and her versatility, size and experience is great pick up for us,” Gorrie said.
“I have spoken to Charli several times and I like her energy, her desire to work on her game and improve her game and she is still young which will fit with our young group of guards.”
View this post on Instagram
Collier spent her 3-year college career in the Lone Star State with the Texas Longhorns where she was twice named in the All-Big 12 First-team. In her final year, she averaged a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Collier was drafted to the WNBA in 2021 by her home state team, the Dallas Wings, where she played for two years. In her rookie season she started in 18 of 45 appearances, averaged 9.4 minutes across the season and was named in the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
In the lead up to her third year in the WNBA she was waived by the Wings and took it as an opportunity to explore international opportunities, spending time in Italy, Israel and Poland.
Collier has also spent time with the USA Junior National Team, earning a bronze medal at the FIBA U17 World Championship in 2016.
The UC Capitals are excited to officially complete their roster, with Charli Collier wearing the number 35 jersey alongside Monique Bobongie, Jade Melbourne, Nicole Munger, Nyadiew Puoch, Ella Tofoaeono, Jayda Clark, Chantel Horvat, Meg Jefferson, Katie Deeble and Indiah Bowyer.
Join the Caps back at the AIS this season by purchasing a membership here.
Pre-orders for the Caps 2024/25 jerseys are also open now and can be viewed here.