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WNBA Connecticut Sun

Dream Take Sun's Erika de Souza In Expansion Draft

February 6, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release


UNCASVILLE, CT. (Feb. 6, 2008) - The Atlanta Dream selected Connecticut Sun center Erika de Souza during the 2008 WNBA Expansion Draft Wednesday.

A native of Brazil, the 6-foot-5 de Souza appeared in 32 games last season for Connecticut, finishing sixth on the team in total rebounds (97) and defensive rebounds (60). She was second on the team in blocked shots (29), and had a career-high nine rebounds in three different games. She averaged 4.3 points per game.

"We were looking forward to developing Erika, but you can only protect so many players," Sun coach Mike Thibault said. "It's always disappointing when you lose a valued member of your team."

The Sun acquired de Souza, along with the 12th overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft, in a trade that sent Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the Los Angeles Sparks last February 21st.

"Obviously we're happy the league is expanding, but it's unfortunate to lose a player of Erika's caliber," Connecticut Sun General Manager Chris Sienko said. "We hope she will grow and excel as a player in Atlanta."

Under the rules of the expansion draft, each WNBA team was allowed to protect six players, leaving the remaining players available for Atlanta to select. The Dream, who begin play in 2008, were limited to taking just one player from each team.

This is the second time the Sun have lost a player to an expansion draft since the franchise relocated from Orlando prior to the 2003 season. Brooke Wyckoff was selected by the Chicago Sky in the 2006 WNBA Expansion Draft.

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