Houston Comets Sign League All-Star And Olympian Shannon Johnson
March 7, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Houston Comets News Release
HOUSTON (March 7, 2008) - Houston Comets Head Coach and General Manager Karleen Thompson continues to assemble the team's 2008 roster with the announcement that Shannon Johnson has been signed to a multi-year contract. Contract terms were not disclosed.
"Shannon is a proven leader who will do what it takes to give us a chance at winning a championship," said Coach Thompson. "She's an All-Star and an Olympian, so she has a wealth of experience to share with less experienced players."
A 9-year WNBA veteran, Johnson (5-7, guard) has made considerable contributions during her play as a starter for the Orlando Miracle, the Connecticut Sun, the San Antonio Silver Stars and most recently with the Detroit Shock. Prior to the 2004 WNBA Draft, the Connecticut coaching staff made her the centerpiece of a trade that sent her to San Antonio in exchange for a draft pick in each of the first three rounds. Johnson was originally assigned by the league to the now-defunct Miracle on May 3, 1999.
Johnson is a three-time All-WNBA Second Team honoree (1999, 2000 and 2002) and four-time WNBA All-Star (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003). She was a key reserve player for the United States of America Basketball Women's Senior National Team during the 2004 Olympics held in Athens, Greece. Her professional experience includes American Basketball Championships in 1997 and 1998 with the Columbus Quest and international play with Dynamo Moscow and Valencia and Ros Casares in Spain.
Coach Thompson added, "The coaching staff and I want to have a good balance of veterans who can provide younger players with on-court leadership that can improve their performance. We needed to fill certain positions in order to rebuild. We're not done yet, but Shannon is an important step in forming the team."
A University of South Carolina Hall of Fame inductee, Johnson was named a member of the First Team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) for the third consecutive time in 1996, the same year in which she also earned a Kodak Honorable Mention.
Johnson has earned career averages of 11.1 points per game, 4.2 assists per game and 3.4 rebounds per game.
The Houston Comets tip-off their 2008 home opener against the Minnesota Lynx in Reliant Arena on May 27 at 7:30 p.m. Season tickets and group tickets are available for purchase by calling 713-627-WNBA. Learn more information about the Houston Comets by visiting www.houstoncomets.com.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from March 7, 2008
- Houston Comets Sign League All-Star And Olympian Shannon Johnson - Houston Comets
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