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WNBA Indiana Fever

Indiana trades for Ngoyisa

May 14, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Fever has added size and depth to its front line with the addition of 6-4 center Bernadette Ngoyisa (nuh-GOY-suh), acquired in a trade with the Chicago Sky, in exchange for reserve point guard K.B. Sharp.

"Bernadette gives us more power and size at the post position," said Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf. "She will be a big presence in the paint both offensively and defensively. She also has experience in the WNBA as well as internationally. I am very happy to be adding Bernadette to our core group of post players."

She immediately gives the Fever one of the biggest front lines in the WNBA's Eastern Conference, joining 6-7 Alison Bales, 6-4 Tammy Sutton-Brown, 6-3 Kasha Terry and 6-2 Ebony Hoffman.

Ngoyisa, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, did not play in the WNBA in 2007, but was the Sky's top rebounder and second-leading scorer in 2006, averaging 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. She shot 52.8 percent from the field in her last season in the league. She played overseas in Italy during the 2007-08 winter, leading Schio to the Italian League championship. Ngoyisa, 26, played for the New York Liberty as a rookie in 2002, and appeared in 26 games with the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2005.

Sharp a native of Columbus, Ohio and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, was set to begin her third season in a Fever uniform. She was the primary backup to Fever point guard Tully Bevilaqua for two seasons, averaging 3.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists while playing in every game in 2007.

Added Krauskopf, "We want to wish K.B. all the best. She has been a tremendous player for us and has done a great job in her backup role here. I want to thank her for being a solid member of our team both on and off the floor."

Indiana's regular season opener is May 17 at Conseco Fieldhouse against the Washington Mystics (7:00 p.m.). Led by WNBA All-Stars Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas and Tammy Sutton-Brown, the Fever bids for its first WNBA Finals appearance after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in two of the past three seasons. Season tickets are available at FeverBasketball.com or by calling (317) 917-2500.

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