Jantel Lavender Highlights Los Angeles Sparks' 2011 WNBA Draft
April 11, 2011 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Sparks selected Ohio State All-American center Jantel Lavender with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft on Monday, while Latvian point guard Elina Babkina was the team's third round choice, 29^th overall.
The 6'4" Lavender recently capped one of the most decorated careers in women's college basketball history with her second-straight _Associated Press_ First Team All-America selection, third overall (honorable mention as a sophomore in 2008-09). The only four-time Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, Lavender was also a Women's Basketball Coaches Association and U.S. Basketball Writer's Association First Team All-American in 2010-11 after ranking fifth in the nation at 22.8 points per game while hauling down 10.9 rebounds per tilt as the Buckeyes reached their second consecutive Sweet 16.
"Jantel is a great addition to the Sparks," Los Angeles Head Coach Jennifer Gillom said. "We're excited to add a player with her versatility, and Jantel will give us the inside presence we're looking for."
Lavender, who earned her bachelor's degree in sport and leisure studies in March, leaves as Ohio State's career scoring leader with 2,818 points and the Big Ten's all-time leading rebounder with 1,422. She scored in double-figures in all 136 career games, an NCAA record. The Cleveland, Ohio native boasts four-year career averages of 20.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
"I was just totally elated when my name was called," Lavender said. "I can't wait for the opportunity to play alongside players like Candace Parker, Tina Thompson, DeLisha Milton-Jones. I just want to play my role and do whatever it takes to help the Sparks win a title."
"I'm definitely a physical player, and I think being in the WNBA will bring that out of me even more. I've worked hard on my low-post moves, and can play with my back to the basket."
Los Angeles - which did hold a second round draft choice - then selected Latvian National Team member Babkina with its final pick. The 5'9" point guard is currently playing with Lotos Gdyina in Poland, averaging 12.5 points and 3.1 assists in domestic play and 13.2 points and 4.0 in the in the EuroLeague.
"Babkina is a talented young guard with tremendous upside, who has the opportunity to benefit our team in the near future," Gillom stated.
Monday also marked the on-sale date for single-game 2011 Sparks tickets, with prices starting as low as $10. Los Angeles' 2011 campaign begins Friday, June 3 when the Minnesota Lynx and their No. 1 overall Draft choice Maya Moore visit STAPLES Center for an 8 p.m. contest.
Fans can purchase single game tickets online at [3]LASparks.com, by phone at 877-44-SPARKS (772757), at the STAPLES Center box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Season tickets, as well as flexible mini-plan options, are also available.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 11, 2011
- Lynx Add Two Local Products in Today's 2011 WNBA Draft - Minnesota Lynx
- Ta'Shia Phillips Traded to Mystics - Washington Mystics
- Atlanta Dream Acquires All-Star Guard Lindsey Harding from Washington Mystics - Atlanta Dream
- Trade for Kalana Greene Highlights Sun Draft - Connecticut Sun
- Chicago Sky Selects Courtney Vandersloot Third Overall in 2011 WNBA Draft - Chicago Sky
- Storm Selects Thomas in First Round of 2011 WNBA Draft - Seattle Storm
- Mercury Selects Brittany Spears in Second Round of the 2011 WNBA - Phoenix Mercury
- Washington Mystics Select Victoria Dunlap - Washington Mystics
- Atlanta Dream Selects Ta'shia Phillips in 2011 WNBA Draft - Atlanta Dream
- Moore, Cambage, Vandersloot Selected with Top Three Picks in 2011 WNBA Draft - WNBA
- Jantel Lavender Highlights Los Angeles Sparks' 2011 WNBA Draft - Los Angeles Sparks
- New York Liberty Selects Montgomery, Breland, Colson and Valentine in 2011 WNBA Draft - New York Liberty
- Stanford Point Guard Pohlen Highlight's Fever Draft - Indiana Fever
- Indiana Selects Jeanette Pohlen in First Round of WNBA Draft - Indiana Fever
- Lynx Select Two-Time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Amber Harris with Fourth Overall Pick in the 201 - Minnesota Lynx
- Lynx Select Three-Time Wade Trophy Winner and Four-Time All-American Maya Moore - Minnesota Lynx
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