Filipino-American Chanelle Molina just got closer to reaching her dream to play in the Women’s National Basketball Assocation (WNBA).

WNBA team Indiana Fever signed Molina to a training camp contract, where the terms cannot be disclosed according to team policy, on Monday, February 8 (Tuesday, February 9, Manila time).

“It has taken a lot of hardwork, dedication and patience to get here. The WNBA has always been the goal, therefore I accepted and fell in love with the process to get here!” wrote Molina in an Instagram post.

“There are not many Filipino women in the WNBA, so this is for the progress of women’s basketball all over the world. I will celebrate this success and accomplishment, but it’s back to helping my team overseas win in the morning.”

“Thank you Indiana Fever for this opportunity. See you all soon!”

The Fever won their lone WNBA Championship in 2012 over the Minnesota Lynx with 2011 WNBA MVP Tamika Catchings emerging as the series MVP.

Molina turned professional last year with the Norrkoping Dolphins in the top tier competition of the Swedish Basketball League.

In 15 games with the Dolphins, Molina averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 34.1 minutes per game.

“Chanelle recorded an excellent career at Washington State in the very challenging Pac-12 Conference. She is a skilled and versatile guard who will bring high energy and competitiveness to our training camp,” said Fever head coach Marianne Stanley.

“She is having a great year overseas in Sweden this season because of how she has continued to improve,” Stanley added.

This was her second chance for a spot in the WNBA after the 5-foot-9 guard was undrafted in 2020 after playing 4 years in NCAA Division 1 school Washington State.

Molina started 95 times out of the 107 games played and averaged 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game throughout her career from 2016-20 in Pullman City.

The Filipina was listed as a five-star recruit by ESPN.com, the No. 36 overall recruit and the 11th-best guard in the 2016 class.

Her younger sisters Celena Jane and Cherilyn are also currently representing Washington State Cougars, the school of Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson. – Rappler.com