Vanessa de Jesus to join 2026 WNBA draft

Gilas Pilipinas Women point guard Vanessa de Jesus announced her inclusion in the nearing Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft, April 13

De Jesus is poised to fulfill her countrymen’s hopes by becoming the first-ever Filipina to play in the WNBA.

In an Instagram post, she publicized her commitment for the upcoming draft through an infographic, captioned “Help me Jesus”.

The prized Fil-Am guard is a national team mainstay, displaying her prowess in playmaking and firepower in FIBA-hosted tilts and etching history as the first Filipina to play for the Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball program.

The 5-foot-8, 24-year-old guard also took her talents to Notre Dame in the 2025–26 US NCAA Women’s season with a steady 8.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists average.

She also proved consistency in the postseason, tallying 8.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 33.5 minutes over four games before dropping to the University of Connecticut in the Elite Eight.