Chicago Blaze trade DeForge
January 2, 2004 - National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
Chicago Blaze News Release
Naperville, IL - The Chicago Blaze today made their first major move of the 2004 season by trading guard Anna Deforge (Nebraska '98) to the Dallas Fury for the draft rights to guards Michelle Greco (UCLA '03) and Casie Lowman (Arkansas State '03). "It is difficult for us to imagine Anna not playing in a Blaze uniform this season, however, the combination of Greco and Lowman will provide us with much needed depth and they will make us a better team," said Blaze General Manager Robert Graham.
Greco and Lowman are both unproven at the professional level, having just graduated this past spring, but were rated #1 and #4 respectively at the 2004 National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) Pre-Draft Camp. "We were extremely impressed with both players at the pre-draft camp. They are both young and hungry and I think they will be a perfect fit to our team," said Blaze coach Cheryl Littlejohn. Greco, who recently completed play abroad, where she averaged over 30 points per game during the final month of the season, is contemplating signing with a professional team in Greece.
Deforge, who resides in Dallas, expressed interest in a trade immediately following the announcement that the NWBL was relocating the Tennessee Fury to Dallas. Deforge, who played in all 22 games in 2003 for the Blaze, averaging 27.2 minutes and 10.8 points per game, also plays for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA.
The Chicago Blaze is entering its third season in the NWBL. The Blaze will play a 22 game schedule from January 11 - March 23 and will play its home games at Merner Fieldhouse located at North Central College in Naperville, IL.
The National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) showcases professional women basketball players from across the nation, including players from the WNBA who choose to stay in the U.S. to play during the off-season. The season is played from January through April and the teams include the Birmingham Power, CHICAGO BLAZE, Colorado Chill, Dallas Fury, Houston Stealth, and Springfield Spirit. For more information on the NWBL and the Chicago Blaze, visit www.nwbl.com/blaze.
• Discuss this story on the National Women's Basketball League message board...
National Women's Basketball League Stories from January 2, 2004
- Chicago Blaze trade DeForge - Chicago Blaze
- Catchings set to Blaze into Naperville - Chicago Blaze
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
