Vanessa de Jesus takes WNBA shot after steady rise with Notre Dame, Gilas Women

For Vanessa de Jesus, the next step isn’t just a dream—it’s a decision. After years of building her game across college basketball and international play, the Gilas Pilipinas Women guard has officially declared for the 2026 WNBA Draft, signaling her intent to test herself at the highest level of the sport.

The announcement, made Friday evening (Manila time), places de Jesus among the growing list of Filipina talents daring to break into the world’s premier women’s basketball league.

Her journey to this point has been defined less by flashes and more by steady progression.

In her final collegiate season with Notre Dame, de Jesus carved out a reliable role, averaging 8.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while helping power the Fighting Irish to an Elite Eight appearance. Their run ended against the University of Connecticut, but not before showcasing the guard’s ability to contribute in high-stakes situations.

Her season had its standout moments. On November 11, 2025, de Jesus delivered her best outing—22 points, three rebounds, and three steals in a dominant 98–52 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson. It was the kind of performance that highlighted her scoring ability, but more importantly, her readiness to take control when needed.

That composure carried into the postseason. Across four tournament games, she logged heavy minutes—33.5 per contest—while averaging 8.0 points and 3.8 rebounds, proving she could hold her own under pressure and against elite competition.

Before Notre Dame, de Jesus also spent time with Duke University, adding another layer of experience to her collegiate résumé. Now at 24 years old and standing 5-foot-8, she brings a blend of maturity, versatility, and international exposure into the draft process.

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DRAFT BOUND!

Opisyal nang sumali sa WNBA Draft ang Filipina-American guard na si Vanessa de Jesus ng Gilas Pilipinas Women matapos ang kanyang NCAA stint sa DUKE at Notre Dame.

https://t.co/gv4qHUwZ9X #WNBADraft#GilasWomen#PTVSportsNetwork#ParaSaAtletangPilipino pic.twitter.com/IUjZnPgz9L

— PTV Sports Network (@__PTVSports) April 11, 2026

And that international experience may be her biggest edge.

De Jesus has been a consistent presence for Gilas Pilipinas Women, suiting up in the 2023 and 2025 editions of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division A. In those tournaments, she didn’t just participate—she produced.

Her breakout on that stage came in 2023, when she dropped 25 points, four assists, and two steals in a 92–81 win over Chinese Taipei, a performance that underscored her ability to deliver against top Asian competition. She finished that tournament averaging 12.8 points per game, ranking 10th overall.

Two years later, she elevated that output to 13.2 points per game in the 2025 edition—good for ninth in the tournament—further cementing her reputation as one of the team’s most dependable scorers.

Now, all of that builds toward a single moment. The WNBA Draft, set for Tuesday, April 14 (7:00 a.m. Manila time) in New York, will determine whether de Jesus’ steady climb translates into an opportunity at the next level.

But regardless of the outcome, her declaration marks something bigger than a personal milestone.

It’s another step forward for Filipino representation in global women’s basketball—and another player willing to take that leap.

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