Charlotte Sting select forward/center Janel McCarville from University of Minnesota
April 16, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Charlotte Sting News Release
With the top pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft, the Charlotte Sting selected 6'2 forward/center Janel McCarville from the University of Minnesota. McCarville becomes the first #1 pick in Sting franchise history and follows in the footsteps of past WNBA top picks such as Diana Taurasi, LaToya Thomas, Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson.
"We are ecstatic to add Janel McCarville to the Sting with the #1 pick," said Sting General Manager and Head Coach Trudi Lacey. "She is a physical post player who possesses tremendous court vision combined with outstanding scoring and rebounding abilities. She will be a great fit to our team."
McCarville averaged 14.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during her four-year career with the Golden Gophers. She concluded her career as the Golden Gophers' all-time leader in blocked shots (200 career blocked shots), field goal percentage (.580) and double-doubles (49 career double-doubles) and as the second all-time leading rebounder (1, 217 career rebounds).
As a senior, she averaged 16.0 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game and was honored as a national player of the year candidate for the 2005 Wooden Award, Naismith Award, and Wade Trophy. She also earned her second consecutive nomination to the Kodak All-America First Team and was selected as a second-team Associated Press All-American.
"It's definitely an honor to be the number one pick," said McCarville. "There's a lot of tradition and honor behind it. I feel lucky Charlotte selected me number one and I definitely think I can bring rebounding, strength and power to the team."
Named to the All-Big 10 First Team for three consecutive seasons (2005, 2004, 2003), McCarville became the first Golden Gopher to play in four NCAA Tournaments over the course of her career. As a junior, she helped lead Minnesota to the NCAA Final Four where she was selected as a member of the 2004 Final Four All-Tournament Team. In addition, she set an NCAA Tournament record with 75 rebounds in 2004.
A native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, McCarville played her high school basketball at Stevens Point Area High School where she was named the 2001 Wisconsin High School Player of the Year along with Duke's Misty Williams. She also has had the opportunity to represent the United States in international play as a member of the USA's silver medal team at the 2003 Pan Am Games.
The Sting will add one additional player to their roster in today's draft as they hold the 24th overall selection, coming in the second round.
The Charlotte Sting will open their ninth season on May 21 at the Charlotte Coliseum as they host Washington at 6 p.m. Season tickets are available now by calling (704) 424-WNBA. Fans can also download a schedule and further ticket information at www.charlottesting.com.
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