Sun use WNBA draft picks to plan ahead

Mohegan - Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault in light of the second round of the WNBA draft pick the team before Monday and did not change his song after that when he heard the question about the selection of teams from North Carolina center Chay Shegog.

"You (journalists) are all talking about pick 21 it makes a big difference. We considered a person because we have, "says Thibault. "We would rather someone who will not come for two years, but Chay is a good player and get the chance. It is to him now to prove something. "

In other words, Shegog to beat an established veteran - even first thing I think Thibault team pick in the draft at No.. 9 is unable to do so.

Thibault used this draft to try and tackle the future, when the 6-foot-8-inch Brittney Griner phenomenon, of Baylor, has joined the WNBA, almost certainly the opposing team.

Griner was a junior.

Thibault said Labor Day, trying to Trade in the first couple of picks which player or two there to help, but do not start for the day. When that failed, the selected-Thibault birds and native Mali Astan Dabo, 19 years old, 6-foot-8-inch project.

"You're talking about writing our league getting bigger and bigger. They will get even bigger next year, to take a chance on a player ... got better in each of last three years is a good bet for us, "says Thibault.

Thibault said Dabo will rise in the French first division next season. As a plus, he was a "little (French) national team commitments," says Thibault.

Dabo is not the Mohegan Sun Arena this summer, but he was probably until next year or 2014.

Even so, pick a step Thibault think he should be made instead He also said he did not know how it will change, because he saw some teen drama "wasted vote this year." Year.

Shegog scored 15 points in a game for the Tar Heels, and Thibault said that, if any, he will provide competition to the post during training camp.

Stanford star No. 1 pick

As expected, the Los Angeles Sparks took Nnemkadi Ogwumike of Stanford in the first pick of the draft. He followed Shekinna Stricklen - one of three Tennessee players taken in the first seven picks - selected by Seattle. Notre Dame forward Devereaux Peters went to Minnesota with the third pick.

The UConn senior Tiffany Hayes, the only Husky in the draft, ended up going to Atlanta with the second pick of the second round, 14th overall.

"It does not matter to me (which he designed), all I need a shot," says Hayes of Bristol, where the draft will be held on ESPN. "I was worried all day, I was never nervous, I just want to know where I go."

UConn coach Geno Auriemma in, in an interview with ESPN, said the team a "good place" to guard the former as an up-tempo style.

Gonzaga players Kayla Standish, Katelan Redmon selected in WNBA draft

Vibration is reduced by the fact that fast.

After waiting patiently to hear his name called in the WNBA draft Monday, Gonzaga star Kayla Standish realized it was the best team in the league has chosen. The versatile forward was taken with the 19th overall pick by the defending champion Minnesota.

Not only the back most of the Lynx won the team title, they have a young list with a depth of quality.

"It was a rough training camp," said Standish, who has been invited to attend the draft in Bristol, Connecticut, and Sab his father and Gonzaga coach Kelly Graves. "No place like many on the list, so it's only going to be difficult. But basketball is not easy, and it is not easy to get to the next level. For me, I just go to a good mindset and worked my butt just to show people what I can do. "

Standish Zag not only rushed to impress WNBA coach. Katelan Redmon, who began his college career at Washington before transferring to Gonzaga, the last pick in the draft (36th overall), went to New York. These are the third and fourth player in program history to be selected, join the Vivian Frieson (2010) and Courtney Vandersloot of (2011).

Vandersloot started at point guard last season and Chicago for the All-Star reserve picks. Frieson cut by the Tulsa its first training camp, and then played a season in Australia before retiring from the ring last year.

"I believe (the Standish) best basketball is ahead of him," Graves said of Bristol. "He is a player working hard and improving her will be appreciated by laying was wonderful ...

"(Redmon) is very impressive WNBA is the kind of game that his alley ..."

Standish has two classes to complete to graduate, but a word to complete before he leaves next week for Minnesota. Storm will not host the Lynx until June 17 at KeyArena.

Crazy storm

Shortly after being elected by Seattle at No.. Second overall, ahead Shekinna Stricklen had a chance to meet new fans through a video call. Another one of their nicknames, "Crazies Storm," the Stricklen, and the crowd gathered at the headquarters of the storm erupted.

"They just started to cry and shout of fun ... I can not wait to be around the fans, "said Stricklen. "I have read about it is crazy ..."

Washington assistant coach Kevin McGuff and Adia Barnes, who is also a color analyst Storm, attended the draft in Seattle.

Pac-12 represented

Four Pac-12 players chosen Monday, including Stanford forward Nnemkadi Ogwumike, who went No.. 1 overall pick in Los Angeles.

USC guard Jacki Gemelos (31 total in Minnesota), the Oregon guard Amanda Johnson (to-33 in Phoenix) and USC forward Briana Gilbreath is (to-35 in Washington) has also been designed.

Stanford star Nnemkadi Ogwumike taken No. 1 by Sparks in WNBA draft

"I am grateful for the LA Sparks to vote for me," said Ogwumike. "It means a lot and is one of the highest honors I have received. I can not wait to go back to Cali. "

Ogwumike helped guide the Cardinal to the Final Four on the fourth time in school, including this year's loss to Baylor eventually won. The 6-foot-2 forward, averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds last season, the first Stanford player taken with the No. 1 pick. Three former Cardinal players are drafted third overall.

"I think looking back, many players can no longer No. 1," said Ogwumike. "Things that go in a different way. I am very proud to be part of this legacy. "

Although finishing with the fourth worst record in the league at 15-19, Sparks won the draft lottery in November. They have the smallest chance of four teams with a shot to win the chance is only 10 percent. They are the second team in history to win 11-year lottery in the fewest number of opportunities. Phoenix itself early in 2007 the concept.

Los Angeles also has the top pick in 2008 and chose Tennessee star Candace Parker, who went on to win Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in his first professional season.

While the selection Ogwumike almost certainty in selecting the top, the rest of the draft a little more mystery without an obvious choice would enter

Tennessee guard Shekinna Stricklen go second in the Seattle Storm, without star Lauren Jackson for the first part of the time because he would stay in Australia to train for the London Olympics this summer.

"I'm a little surprised," said Stricklen. "It helps when I do a workout with coach Brian (Agler), I have a feeling but not sure."

Notre Dame post Devereaux Peters went to third on the Minnesota Lynx champions, with five of the first 20 picks in the draft. He was surprised that he chose to higher, recovering from two ACL surgery on his left knee because of the inclusion of Notre Dame.

"I never thought I would (make) at the time," said Peters. "When they interviewed me they were talking about my knee. To come this far and have 2 ½ years where I had to play free from great danger. It's great to see all my dreams come to fruition here. "

Lynx also selected Damiris Dantas Brazil in the final selection of the first round. Minnesota organized a major mid-stars Julie Wojta of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Kayla Standish of Gonzaga in the second round. Lynx their five-round picks in the Russian guards Nika Baric.

Tulsa, which has the worst record in the league last season with three victories alone, Glory Johnson took fourth. Tennessee forward is a great opportunity to make a direct impact on the shock. The team also selected Miami guard Riquna Williams in the second round. He said the two storms NCAA tournament game after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team coach Katie Meier.

Williams was not surprised he is sliding down draft.

"I mean after what happened at the end of time, I hope to go in the first round. This is the mistake I made and something I have to deal with the outcome, "he said. "I am a terrible person I was portrayed in the media after the error. I think Tulsa voted for me, this is a great honor for them to trust me and found the situation does not define me. "

Williams teammates in Miami Shenise Johnson went fifth in San Antonio. Phoenix took the Ohio State point guard Samantha Prahalis sixth.

"This is perfect," said Prahalis. "They like to play up-tempo and so I, I'm actually looking forward to play with Diana Taurasi."

The New York Liberty designed the seventh Kelly Cain. Natalie Novosel came eighth in Washington. The Mystics also took LSU to LaSondra Barrett 10 pick.

Connecticut chose 6-foot-8 Astan Dabo of Mali in the ninth pick. Georgia Tech's Sasha Goodlett came 11 in Indiana.

Atlanta Dream have no first round pick, but they chose Connecticut as Tiffany Hayes in the second pick in the second round. Atlanta then select Yacoubou Isabelle of France in the third round, but he was worthy to be designed because he was too old.

League rules stipulate that international players can only be conceived in the year in which they turn 20. The 6-4 Yacoubou turns 26 on Saturday. Atlanta may try to sign him as a free agent.

WNBA season begins on May 18th opening of training camp on April 29.

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