Kona Alum Galdeira Taking Shot at Pro Career

For the first time in recent memory, Konawaena High School graduate Lia Galdeira won’t be by the side of her teammate and best friend, Dawnyelle Awa. That’s because Galdeira is leaving Washington State University a year early to pursue a professional basketball career.

Washington State announced Friday that Galdeira has signed with agent Elmira Draskicevic. She will look to play professional basketball in Europe for a season, then hoping to enter the WNBA the following season, the first year she could be eligible to be drafted into the league.

Galdeira spent three years in the Pac-12 Conference with the Cougars, climbing up the school’s all-time rankings in the process. During that time, she finished at the top of the school’s all-time list in three-point shots attempted (576) and field goal attempts (1,645). She also wrapped her career in second place in scoring (1,710), three-point field goals made (160), field goals made (621), and steals (271).

“I’d like to thank Washington State University for allowing me to be a part of the Cougar family, it has been an honor to represent the women’s basketball program. I am very thankful and blessed for being a part of such an amazing program and playing for one of the most respected and down to earth coaches, June Daugherty, and her staff,” Galdeira said in a statement released by the school. “I have made the decision to pursue my lifelong dream and play professionally, this year in Europe and then in the WNBA,” Galdeira continued. “To all the Cougar fans, your support has been very much appreciated by me and my teammates. Please continue to support them, as I will. Go Cougs!”

Last season was a standout year for the 2012 Konawaena graduate, finishing with 20 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest. She led the Pac-12 in steals with 105 and amassed 83 assists, tops on her squad. She was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team for the second time.

Awa will stay behind in Pullman for her final collegiate season. In her junior year, the Washington State point guard started in all of her team’s 32 games, scoring 4.7 points per game and grabbing 1.8 rebounds per night.