US-based Rwandan basketball player Bella Murekatete has signed a contract to join a training camp for Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) side Phoenix Mercury. This is an opportunity that could land her a professional contract with the team if the she impresses at the club’s training camp. Murekatete, 23, has been playing college basketball for the Washington State Cougars women's basketball team. She was a big piece in the Cougars’ season where he played a huge part in their WBIT run to the semifinals. Standing at 6-foot-3 (1.90m), the center played in every game this season (36) and averaged 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Also Read: Rwanda’s Murekatete to play in US Women’s College All-Star Game This year, Murekatete wrote her name in the history books when she became the all-time program leader in career rebounds with 990, blocks (188), games played (153), and games started (145). Through her five year-spell with Washington State, she stacked up 1,552 points, which was the fifth all-time in Cougars’ history. Before the season, she was named to both the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award Watch List and the 2023-24 Preseason All-Pac-12 team. Murekatete also recently played in the Women's College All-Star Game on April 6 where she recorded a team-high seven rebounds along with two points and two steals.
