Don’t be surprised if Ōpōtiki becomes a town covered in orange following a recent announcement of one of its former youngsters.

Charlisse Leger-Walker was unveiled on Tuesday as the 18th pick of the WNBA, thanks to the Connecticut Suns. It’s a pick that many basketball pundits were delighted with and many of New Zealand basketball were excited to see.

Getting picked has seen her create history as the first New Zealand woman to be in the NBA Draft.

Now Leger-Walker is looking to become the second ever Kiwi female to play in the WNBA after Megan Compain, who played for the Utah Starzz in 1997, but was not drafted.

The 24-year-old said she was honoured to be getting an opportunity of this kind.

“I’m just really humbled that I can be that role model,” she said. “I hope that everybody watching from New Zealand knows that they belong here, and if they set their sights high, they can be limitless.”

She also outlined her mindset as she prepares to step into the world’s premier basketball league.

“Going in with an open mind, taking in a lot from the vets, learning a lot, and just being the best teammate I can be in whatever role that is.”

Leger-Walker isn’t getting too far ahead of herself when it comes to playing time.

“I think it’s just going in with an open mind, taking in a lot from the vets and just learning a lot and just being the best teammate I can, and whatever role that is then I need to partake in then I’m going to do that.”

The past couple of seasons she spent with the UCLA Bruins – transferring from Washington State after picking up a nasty knee injury while there.

Leger-Walker’s season has been a success as she scored 10 points in the final to help UCLA to success.

She was also one of six players from her team picked up in the draft, the most ever. Her efforts on the court are sure to inspire many especially back in the Eastern Bay where her mum Leanne Walker was a talented basketballer representing New Zealand at the Sydney and Athens Olympics with the Tall Ferns, a team Leger-Walker debuted for when she was 16.

Leger-Walker also played at Washington State alongside her older sister Krystal Leger-Walker.

The WNBA season starts April 26.