The current women's college basketball senior class--highlighted by Duke guard Alana Beard and Connecticut guard Diana Taurasi-is one of the deepest and most talented ever, and the six teams in last night's WNBA draft lottery will have plenty of superstars to choose from on draft day.
The Phoenix Mercury, which finished the 2003 season with a league-worst 8-26 record, won the lottery modeled after process used in the NBA. Washington landed the second overall pick, followed by Indiana, San Antonio, New York and Seattle.
Although Taurasi is widely regarded as the likely No. 1 pick, Beard will also draw interest at the top of the draft board. Washington has perhaps the strongest backcourt of any team in the lottery, but Beard's strong slashing style, improved outside shooting and renowned defensive presence could immediately help any of the six clubs that have a chance to pick her.
Beard, who last year joined former Duke guard Jason Williams as only the second men's or women's player in school history to score 2,000 career points in three seasons, hopes to play in the WNBA after she graduates in 2004, but for now she is remaining focused on her senior season.
"If I am lucky enough to have a career in the WNBA after my time at Duke, I look forward to but, but at this time I am not thinking about more than what I need to do to get my degree at Duke and help my teammates win a National Championship," Beard said in statement. "To play in the WNBA has always been a dream of mine, but winning a national championship is the top priority right now."
In addition to Beard and Taurasi, Kansas State's Nicole Ohlde, Stanford's Nicole Powell, Penn State's Kelly Mazzante, Purdue's Shereka Wright and Minnesota's Lindsey Whalen are expected to be prime targets among the lottery teams.
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