PHOENIX, AZ - Loyola Marymount women's basketball standout Jess Lawson will take the next step in her basketball career, earning an invitation to the 2026 Women's Premier Basketball Association (WPBA) Combine, held April 3-4 in Phoenix, Ariz., during NCAA Women's Final Four weekend.

Lawson will join a select group of elite athletes from across the country for the two-day professional evaluation event, which brings together WNBA personnel, international scouts, agents, and basketball executives. The combine serves as a premier platform for players to showcase their skills and compete for opportunities at the professional level.

The event begins on Friday, April 3 with Skill Assessments and Scrimmages from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, followed by Showcase Game Day on Saturday, April 4 from 2:15 PM to 7:00 PM, where participants will compete in front of decision-makers from across the global basketball landscape.

Lawson's selection comes on the heels of a historic 2025-26 season for LMU, where she played a pivotal role in leading the Lions to a West Coast Conference Regular Season Championship and one of the most successful campaigns in program history. A First Team All-WCC selection and one of the conference's most dominant forces, Lawson consistently delivered on both ends of the floor while elevating those around her.

Founded in 2022, the WPBA has quickly established itself as a premier developmental league in women's basketball, focused on preparing elite athletes for success at the highest levels of the game. Built on a foundation of preparation, performance, progress, purpose, partnership, and professionalism, the league provides a critical pathway for players pursuing professional careers.

Lawson's participation in the WPBA Combine not only highlights her individual success but also reflects the continued rise of LMU women's basketball on the national stage.