2005 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp Set for Tarrytown, NY April 8-10

March 31, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release

NEW YORK, March 31 – Top college prospects will gather at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York from April 8-10 for the 2005 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp. The camp offers WNBA coaches and general managers the opportunity to evaluate the skills of the incoming collegiate draft class in advance of the 2005 WNBA Draft on April 16.

The top women college basketball players from around the country have been invited to the 2005 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp with the following players confirmed to attend: Houston center Sancho Lyttle, Liberty center Katie Feenstra, Penn State guards Tanisha Wright and Jess Strom, Texas guard Jamie Carey, Auburn guard Natasha Brackett, Temple guard Cynthia Jordan and Vanderbilt forward Ashley Early. Also invited are several players who are competing in the NCAA WomenÂ’s Final Four in Indianapolis, including LSU guard Temeka Johnson, Tennessee guards Shyra Ely and Loree Moore, Michigan State guard Kristin Haynie and center Kelli Roehrig and Baylor forward Steffanie Blackmon.

League-appointed personnel will conduct player physical examinations on Friday, April 8, with on-court sessions scheduled for all day on Saturday, April 9 and the morning of Sunday, April 10.

Both Saturday and Sunday’s on-court sessions are open to the media, with players and WNBA coaches and General Managers availability from 10:55 – 11:30 p.m. ET and 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. Additional media requests will be scheduled upon request. Media should call (212-407-8022) or e-mail (jmoore@wnba.com) credential requests to Jay Moore.

The 2005 WNBA Draft will begin at noon ET at the NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. ESPN2 will televise the first round live with NBATV providing coverage of the second and third rounds. WNBA.com will cover all three rounds, providing complete analysis and comprehensive information on all 13 teamsÂ’ selections together with pre-draft coverage of prospective draftees by Rebecca Lobo, ESPNÂ’s Ann Meyers and Sacramento Monarchs guard and ESPN analyst Kara Lawson.

In 2004, for the sixth consecutive season, more than 2 million fans attended WNBA games. Also in 2004, three consecutive WNBA Finals sellout crowds (a league record) witnessed the Seattle Storm defeat the Connecticut Sun to capture its first WNBA Championship.

The WNBA will tip off its ninth season Saturday, May 21, 2005 with a full slate of exciting match-ups, including ABCÂ’s broadcast of the defending WNBA champion Seattle Storm against reigning MVP Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks at Key Arena beginning at 4 p.m. EDT. Opening day will also pit the 2004 WNBA runner-up Connecticut Sun vs. the Detroit Shock at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Houston Comets vs. the San Antonio Silver Stars at the SBC Center, the Phoenix Mercury against the Sacramento Monarchs at America West Arena and the Charlotte Sting hosting the Washington Mystics at the Charlotte Coliseum.

The 2005 Pre-Draft schedule follows. For more information on the WNBA, visit WNBA.com.

2005 WNBA PRE-DRAFT CAMP SCHEDULE (all times local)

New York Liberty Training Facility

711 Old Saw Mill River Road

Tarrytown, NY 10591

(Directions available upon request)

Saturday, April 9

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Stretching / free shooting

8:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. Drills and Half court games

10:55 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Media Availability

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Stretching / free shooting

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Drills and Half court games

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Media Availability

Sunday, April 10

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Stretching / free shooting

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Full-court games and scenario games

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