Comets Add Oklahoma's Villarroel and Stephens from University of Texas

Published on April 17, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Comets added two players in today's 2004 WNBA Draft, picking up guard Maria Villarroel of Oklahoma and forward/center Stacy Stephens of Texas. Houston selected UC Santa Barbara center Lindsay Taylor in the second round (26th overall) and traded her draft rights to the Phoenix Mercury for the draft rights to Villarroel, who was selected by the Mercury with the first pick of the third round (27th overall). Stephens was Houston's third-round selection (37th overall).

Villarroel (5-8, Oklahoma '04) finished her two-year career at Oklahoma with averages of 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 65 games. She established a school record for the best points per game average (14.6) of a two-year player. As a senior, Villarroel led the team in scoring (14.3 ppg) and helped OU win its second Big 12 Tournament title in three years. Villarroel was also named to the 2004 Big 12 All-Tournament Team after averaging a double-double with 16.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. In her first season with the Sooners, Villarroel ranked 14th in the NCAA in field goal percentage (.576) while averaging 15.0 points per game. Prior to joining Oklahoma, the Margarita, Venezuela native was a two-time National Junior College All-American (2000, 2001) and a two-time Conference Player of the Year (2000, 2001). She led the National Junior College Athletic Association in scoring (24.4 ppg) and field goal percentage (.734) as a sophomore at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, and was voted Freshman of the Year at Independence Community College (2000-01) after averaging 22.1 points per game.

http://www.wnba.com/draft2004/prospect_maria_villarroel.html

Stephens (6-1, Texas '04) wrapped up her career at Texas ranked second all-time in rebounding (1,223) and eighth in total points (1,708). She became only the third player in Texas history to notch 1,000-plus points and 1,000-plus rebounds. A two-time Second-Team AP All-American (2003, 2004), Stephens was also a member of the WBCA Senior All-Star Team, which faced the USA Women's Senior National Team in New Orleans on April 3, 2004. As a senior, Stephens was named to the United State Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-America Second Team and helped Texas capture a second consecutive Big 12 regular season championship. The Sulphur Springs, Texas native also earned her second straight First-Team All-Big 12 selection (2003, 2004). As a junior, Stephens was named Kodak All-America Honorable Mention and 2003 Big 12 Tournament MVP. She also took home the honors of Big 12 All-Tournament Team, NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team and Big 12 All-Academic Team in 2003. Stephens was All-Big 12 Second Team (2002) as a sophomore, and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (2001) as well as Big 12 Rookie of the Year (2001) as a freshman.

http://www.wnba.com/draft2004/prospect_stacy_stephens.html

The Comets acquired the 26th overall selection in the 2004 WNBA Draft from the Detroit Shock along with guard Kedra Holland-Corn on February 17, 2004. In exchange, Houston sent to Detroit the team's 2004 first-round selection (11th overall) and a 2004 third-round pick (32nd overall) acquired by the Comets from the Seattle Storm in a trade for Rita Williams on May 20, 2003.



American Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2004


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.

OurSports Central