LSU’s Pointer and Aifuwa heading to Las Vegas Aces after WNBA draft

The following information comes from LSU Athletics:

LSU’s Faustine Aifuwa was taken No. 35 overall during the third round in the WNBA Draft on Monday night by the Las Vegas Aces, joining teammate Khayla Pointer to be drafted by the Aces this year and former Tiger Theresa Plaisance who signed with the Aces during the offseason.

The last time LSU had two players drafted in the same WNBA Draft was in 2008. Pointer and Aifuwa became the 19th and 20th players drafted to the WNBA. They are the first two WNBA Draft picks for Coach Mulkey at LSU who has coached a combined 21 players that have gone on to be drafted throughout her head coaching career.

Aifuwa was a big presence in the paint for the Tigers who played a critical role in LSU’s success throughout her final season. She finished her career with the second most blocks in LSU history (239), the fifth most rebounds (970) and the 21st on LSU’s scoring list (1,302).

The Dacula, Georgia native started in 29 games and played in all 32 during LSU’s 26-6 season. She averaged 9.7 point and 6.8 rebounds during the season. Her 6.8 rebounds per game ranked No. 15 in the SEC and 1.63 blocks per game ranked No. 7 in the SEC.

Aifuwa helped LSU finish No. 2 in the SEC and earn a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, hosting first and second round NCAA Tournament games in the PMAC. In LSU’s first-round matchup against Jackson State, Aifuwa scored 17 points and hauled in 14 rebounds to help lead the Tigers to a March Madness victory.

LSU’s Khayla Pointer was the first pick of the second round by the Las Vegas Aces during Monday’s WNBA Draft.

Pointer had the best season of her career in her final year as a Tiger, playing as one of the top guards across America. Along with being a top-five finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, Pointer earned spots on the Naismith Trophy Watchlist, the Wooden Award National Ballot, the Wade Trophy Watchlist, and the Dawn Staley Award Watchlist. She has already been named to multiple All-America teams (AP and Sports Illustrated Second Team; USBWA Third Team).

After returning for her final year of eligibility and teaming up with National Coach of the Year Finalist Kim Mulkey, Pointer achieved heights her career had never seen before. She set new career-highs with 19.6 points per game (No. 2 in SEC), 6.4 rebounds per game (No. 17 in SEC) and 5.3 assists per game (No. 2 in SEC). With those numbers, Pointer was one of just two players in the SEC to rank inside the Top-20 in points and assists and inside the Top-15 in assists. She led an LSU offensive attack the led the SEC in scoring with 73.72 points per game.

Throughout her final season, Pointer recorded seven double-doubles that included two triple-doubles. She is one of just five players in SEC history to record multiple triple-doubles in a career. Pointer scored in double-figures in 29 games during the season, including 17 games with 20 points or more. She finished the season scoring double-figures in 21 of LSU’s final 22 games that included a stretch of 16 consecutive games with 13 or more points.

Click here to report a typo.