April 3, 2007
CLEVELAND, Ohio -
Twenty-two of women's basketball top prospects from around the world have been invited to the 2007 WNBA Draft, presented by adidas. Among the prospects is Maryland's Shay Doron, who is looking to become the first Terrapin drafted into the professional league since 1997.
The Draft will cap off a week-long celebration of events surrounding women's basketball in Cleveland, including the NCAA Women's Final Four. The Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland's Public Square will host the Draft, beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 4. ESPN2 will provide live first-round coverage while ESPNU and NBATV will provide continued live coverage of the second and third rounds from 2-3:30 p.m. In addition, WNBA.com will cover all three rounds, providing complete analysis and comprehensive information on all 13 teams' selections.
Having just completed her senior season with the Terrapins, Shay Doron (Ramat Hasharon, Israel/Christ the King [N.Y.]) participated in the two-day WNBA pre-draft camp in Cleveland, March 30-31. Doron and 51 other potential draft picks showcased their skills and competed against one another in drills and full- and half-court scrimmages, while looking to improve their draft status.
Doron was the first player under fifth-year Maryland head coach Brenda Frese to be invited to the WNBA pre-draft camp. Three former Terps have been drafted, including Sonia Chase (1995-98), Katrina Colleton (1990-93) and Jessie Hicks (1990-93). Three more former Terrapins have played in the WNBA - Vicky Bullett (1986-89), Kelley Gibson (1995-99) and Jasmina Perazic (1980-83).
The other 21 players invited to the draft are Alison Bales (Duke, 6-7, Center), Cori Chambers (Georgia, 5-9, Guard, Jessica Davenport (Ohio State, 6-5, Center), Nare Diawara (Virginia Tech, 6-6, Center), Jessica Dickson (South Florida, 5-11, Forward), Katie Gearlds (Purdue, 6-1, Guard/Forward), Chrissy Givens (Middle Tennessee, 5-11, Guard), Gillian Goring (N.C. State, 6-7, Center), Lindsey Harding (Duke, 5-8, Guard), Kamesha Hairston (Temple, 6-0, Forward), Tiffany Jackson (Texas, 6-3, Forward), Ivory Latta (North Carolina, 5-6, Guard), Camille Little (North Carolina 6-2, Forward), Bernice Mosby (Baylor, 6-1, Forward), Eshaya Murphy (USC, 5-11, Guard), Armintie Price (Mississippi 5-9, Guard), Noelle Quinn (UCLA, 6-0, Guard), Kathrin Ress (Boston College, 6-4, Forward), Brooke Smith (Stanford, 6-3, Forward), Sidney Spencer (Tennessee, 6-3, Forward), Carla Thomas (Vanderbilt, 6-3, Forward).
The WNBA will tip off its second decade of play in 2007 and will feature a record number of national telecasts. Comprehensive coverage of the WNBA regular season will include 91 national telecasts on ABC, ESPN2 and NBA TV. The season will begin on May 19 when the defending champion Detroit Shock hosts the Sacramento Monarchs in a rematch of last year's WNBA Finals. The WNBA All-Star Game will be played at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. on July 15 at 3:30 pm ET with live coverage on ABC.
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