Schweitzer drafted, traded to WNBA's Minnesota squad

The duo that led Duke's women's basketball team to the national championship game two years ago was reunited Friday afternoon.

Senior Georgia Schweitzer, the two-time ACC player of the year, was drafted by the Miami Sol with the 21st pick in the WNBA draft. Hours later, Schweitzer was traded to the Minnesota Lynx, where she will join former Blue Devils center Michele VanGorp. VanGorp and Schweitzer, the only two Kodak All-Americans in Duke history, were the guiding forces during the team's Final Four run of 1999.

Schweitzer said she was excited to rejoin her former teammate, who called the basketball offices Saturday to offer her congratulations. Minnesota also provides Schweitzer with a chance to play alongside Katie Smith, the woman Duke's captain referred to as her childhood hero. While Schweitzer was growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Smith made headlines in the state as a standout with both Ohio State and then later with the now-defunct American Basketball League's Columbus Quest. Smith finished second in the WNBA in scoring last season with more than 20 points per game for the Lynx.

"I really think I'm going to fit in well with this Minnesota team," said Schweitzer, who can play either guard position or forward. "They play a motion offense similar to what we do here at Duke. It's great just to know someone on the team going in. And I'm very honored and I can't wait to play with Katie Smith."

Schweitzer and fellow senior Rochelle Parent watched the draft with Duke coach Gail Goestenkors in the basketball offices. After sitting through the first 20 picks, Schweitzer momentarily stepped out of the room, only to be hurriedly called back in when Miami made its choice.

Despite her opportunity to play professional basketball, Friday was not entirely joyous for Schweitzer and the Duke basketball program. Parent, Schweitzer's close friend and roommate, was not drafted by any of the league's 16 teams. Parent was a tremendous defensive stopper for Duke this season, but her inability to score likely lowered her stock significantly.

"I think it was [hard on Parent]," Schweitzer said. "I was definitely concerned about her getting drafted. It diminished some of my own happiness about it."

Schweitzer will make her first visit to Minnesota and the Lynx's facilities April 30.