{"id":184122,"date":"2025-08-29T07:47:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T07:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/184122\/"},"modified":"2025-08-29T07:47:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T07:47:15","slug":"playing-pro-penn-state-womens-basketball-players-finding-success-after-college-penn-state-basketball-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/184122\/","title":{"rendered":"Playing pro | Penn State women\u2019s basketball players finding success after college | Penn State Basketball News"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Penn State has only been home to five WNBA draft picks over the past 15 years, many athletes have gone on to play professionally in some capacity.<\/p>\n

In addition to the pro leagues, several former Lady Lions have also joined coaching staffs across the country.<\/p>\n

From Portuguese League Champions to earning top coaching awards, here\u2019s where several former Lady Lions have taken their basketball careers since their time donning the blue and white.<\/p>\n

Ashley Owusu – Elitzur Holon<\/strong><\/p>\n

After joining Penn State as an Ann Meyers Drysdale Award winner, Ashley Owusu went on to be drafted by the Dallas Wings in the 2024 WNBA Draft.<\/p>\n

While she was waived a few weeks after, Owusu later signed with Elitzur Holon in Holon, Israel.<\/p>\n

Within her first year, Owusu became the leading scorer in the Israeli League, averaging 21.8 points while shooting 36.7% from deep.<\/p>\n

\"Penn<\/p>\n

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Penn State guard Ashley Owusu (0) stands on the free throw line during the WBIT quarterfinal game against Mississippi State at the Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Lady Lions beat the Bulldogs 92-87.<\/p>\n

Tyler Mantz<\/p>\n

Maggie Lucas – BGSU Assistant coach<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most well-known Lady Lions in the program\u2019s history, Maggie Lucas graduated in 2014 as the No. 2 scorer all-time and played several years overseas and in the WNBA.<\/p>\n

Since then, Lucas has joined Bowling Green State University as an assistant coach, where she\u2019s helped lead the squad to a 34-28 record the past two years.<\/p>\n

Chanaya Pinto – Quinta Dos Lombos<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite only playing two years with the Lady Lions, Chanaya Pinto has had success early in her career with Quinta Dos Lombos of Portugal.<\/p>\n

In her first season with the squad, Pinto emerged as the team\u2019s leading scorer with 14.4 points per game. On March 24, Pinto won the 2025 Portugal Cup, showcasing her efforts on the world stage.<\/p>\n

Jenny DeGraaf – Upstate Assistant coach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Former Lady Lion Jenny DeGraaf spent two years with Penn State from 2013-15 before suiting up for the University of North Carolina Wilmington.<\/p>\n

After graduation, DeGraaf jumped into coaching, settling at Upstate in 2022, where she\u2019s helped it produce a 36-57 record over the past three seasons.<\/p>\n

DeGraaf was honored in the 2025 Thirty Under 30, awarding the top 30 coaches under the age of 30.<\/p>\n

Makenna Marisa – David Kornel<\/strong><\/p>\n

As another one of the highest scorers to rep the blue and white, Makenna Marisa signed with David Kornel in Hungary.<\/p>\n

Marisa recently finished the 2024-25 campaign as her team\u2019s leading scorer, averaging 18.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.<\/p>\n

Despite her high-scoring success, Marisa\u2019s squad finished 6-16 in the regular season and fell in the first round of the play-out.<\/p>\n

\"Penn<\/p>\n

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Penn State guard Makenna Marisa (20) attempts a layup during the WBIT quarterfinal game against Mississippi State at the Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Lady Lions beat the Bulldogs 92-87.<\/p>\n

Tyler Mantz<\/p>\n

Alex Bentley – UMMC Ekaterinburg W<\/strong><\/p>\n

Former Lady Lion Alex Bentley graduated over a decade ago from Penn State, but has been making moves in the WNBA and abroad.<\/p>\n

After playing for the Atlanta Dream and being named to the All-Rookie team in 2013 and the 2015 Eastern Conference All-Star Team with Connecticut, Bentley bounced around between the Brazilian, French, Turkish, Russian and Israeli leagues.<\/p>\n

This season, Bentley suited up for Russia\u2019s UMMC Ekaterinburg W, where she helped take home the Premier League championship in May.<\/p>\n

MORE BASKETBALL COVERAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n \"Penn
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Another team has been added to Penn State’s nonconference schedule. <\/p>\n

If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.<\/p>\n


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