It's Official! Mercury Select Taurasi No. 1
April 17, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release
Phoenix, Ariz. - The Phoenix Mercury selected guard Diana Taurasi with the first pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft. A three-time National Champion at the University of Connecticut and two-time Naismith Player of the Year (2003, 2004), Taurasi is the first No. 1 pick for any Phoenix professional sports team.
"This is a tremendous day in Phoenix Mercury history," said Mercury General Manager Seth Sulka. "All we can do without projecting to what she's going to do in the pros is what she has done in college. She's won three national championships, two most outstanding player awards in a championship series, two Naismith awards, and made four straight Final-Four appearances. That is what we can base our choice on and that is what we are getting today. It is going to impact our organization in an extremely positive way."
Known for her leadership on the court, Taurasi led her Huskies to three NCAA National Championships (2002, 2003, 2004) during her four years in Storrs, CT. The 6'0" Taurasi capped off her stellar collegiate season not only with a third consecutive championship but also took home honors as Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Finals for the second straight year. She finished her collegiate career as the only player in Connecticut history to tally 2,000 points, 600 assists and 600 rebounds.
"After four years at UConn, I think I am well prepared for the pressure," said Taurasi. "I have fun with basketball and I enjoy it. I'm looking forward to coming to Phoenix."
While at UConn, Taurasi boasts an impressive record of 136-8. Over 144 games, the Chino, California native averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. Taurasi's game shined prominently from behind the three-point line where she shot a phenomenal 49.3% (318-645) over four seasons.
"What is there left to say about Diana Taurasi? She is everything you are looking for in a teammate," said Mercury Head Coach Carrie Graf. "She oozes talent, she epitomizes greatness, and she's a proven winner and leader. All that, and she's only 21."
Adding more depth to Taurasi's collegiate resume, the 21-year old was part of Connecticut's 70-game winning streak. "The Streak" started November 9, 2001 with a 93-50 victory over Fairfield. The longest winning streak in Division I Women's College basketball ended at 70 when the Huskies fell to Villanova on March 11, 2003.
On Wednesday, December 3, the Phoenix Mercury won the WNBA Draft Lottery, thus earning the No. 1 pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft. In 2003, the Mercury finished with an 8-26 record with the best odds for winning the draft lottery.
The Mercury begin the 2004 season at home on Thursday, May 20, when they host the Sacramento Monarchs at 7 p.m. inside America West Arena. Mercury fans have the opportunity to see their favorite WNBA team in action through all 17 regular season home games this summer with the purchase of a full season ticket plan. Season tickets are available in a variety of packages. For information on Mercury season tickets, call (602)-379-7878 or visit www.phoenixmercury.com
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 17, 2004
- Connecticut Sun Pick Minnesota Star Lindsay Whalen With Fourth Selection in WNBA Draft - Connecticut Sun
- Mystics take Alana Beard - Washington Mystics
- Silver Stars Select Cindy Dallas and Toccara Williams in 2004 WNBA Draft - San Antonio Stars
- Phoenix selects Taurasi with top pick in WNBA draft - WNBA
- All-Americans Powell & Mazzante Drafted by Charlotte Sting - Charlotte Sting
- Pheonix selects Taurasi with top pick in 2004 WNBA draft - Phoenix Mercury
- New York Liberty Select Shameka Christon with 5th pick in 2004 WNBA Draft - New York Liberty
- Seattle Storm Select Catrina Frierson In 2004 WNBA Draft - Seattle Storm
- New York Liberty Conference Call - Time Change - 2:30 p.m. - New York Liberty
- Sting Select Nicole Powell With Third Pick In WNBA Draft - Charlotte Sting
- It's Official! Mercury Select Taurasi No. 1 - Phoenix Mercury
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