Michigan State's Tori Jankoska ready for next chapter in WNBA
EAST LANSING – Tori Jankoska exceeded her wildest basketball dreams with a record-setting career at Michigan State.
The Freeland native is ready to add to that.
Jankoska is expected to learn where she'll continue her career Thursday when she could be selected late in the first round or early in the second round of the WNBA draft.
Whenever her name gets called, Jankoska will become the seventh player in MSU women’s basketball history taken in the WNBA draft. And she will give the Spartans a draft pick for the second straight season after Aerial Powers went fifth overall last year.
Being in this position and having an opportunity to play in the WNBA wasn’t something Jankoska dreamed about or thought was a possibility early in her career. But the 5-foot-8 guard is looking forward to what is in store.
“I know a lot of little girls grow up and want to play in the WNBA, but my dream was to play (at MSU),” Jankoska said. “To be able to play and do the things that I did, especially my senior year, has been more than I could have ever imagined. Anything that goes beyond this is just a blessing. I’m excited to see where it takes me.
“I’m really excited about the opportunities coming and to see where that next step is going to be.”
Jankoska wrapped up her college career last month as MSU’s all-time leading scorer and earned honorable mention All-American recognition from the Associated Press and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. She was a threat as more than just a scorer for the Spartans; she led the team and ranked among the Big Ten’s leaders in rebounding.
ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo believes Jankoska’s toughness and ability to score can help her find a niche in the WNBA.
“Teams are always looking for a tough player who can shoot the basketball, and Tori definitely fits that bill,” Lobo said. “She's a hard worker who has gotten better every year in college. I think we're looking probably late first, early second round for her. Teams are always looking for that type of player who can stretch the defense coming in off the bench and provide some toughness and scoring. Her game will immediately provide that.”
Jankoska is looking forward to proving she belongs against top competition in the WNBA. She knows there's been doubts and people have thought she was too short or too slow to find success. That's just added to her motivation to succeed.
"They didn't really think I was going to be what I am," Jankoska said. "That definitely adds to it and that's kind of the same approach I'm taking to this next level."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.