WNBA New York Liberty

Liberty Acquire All-Star Forward/Center Kara Braxton

Published on August 4, 2011 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release


NEW YORK, NY - August 4, 2011 - The New York Liberty have acquired All-Star forward/center Kara Braxton from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for forward Sidney Spencer, it was announced today by Head Coach and General Manager John Whisenant.

"Kara is a All-Star player with championship experience that has been successful in the league for a number of years and will make an immediate impact on the court. We feel this move increases our depth in the post and sets us up for further success as we look to build a championship caliber team," said Whisenant. "Sidney Spencer is a incredible leader, tireless worker, and model teammate who will be missed. She's a great shooter going to Phoenix where shooters are a premium, we wish her success in the future and thank her for her contributions to the franchise."

Originally drafted by the Detroit Shock as the No. 7 overall pick of the 2005 WNBA Draft from University of Georgia, Braxton has posted career averages of 7.9 ppg and 4.6 rpg. A WNBA All-Star, Braxton helped lead Detroit to two WNBA Championships and has appeared in 41 playoff games averaging 7.4 ppg and 4.6 rpg. Braxton was acquired by Phoenix on July 23, 2010 in a trade sending Nicole Ohlde and a 2011 first round draft pick to Tulsa. This season, the 6-6 forward/center is averaging 10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 1.3 apg. Currently she ranks third in the WNBA in field-goal percentage (.600) and sixth in efficiency ranking per 40 minutes (24.7).

Sidney Spencer was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks with the 25th overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft shortly after winning the 2007 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship at the University of Tennessee. The Liberty acquired her rights via a trade with Los Angeles in exchange for the Liberty's 2010 first round draft pick on May 5, 2009. Spencer is currently averaging 2.5 ppg and 0.8 rpg.

The Liberty's next game is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th against the Washington Mystics in Washington D.C. at the Verizon Center. They will play at home at the Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, August 9th at 8:00pm against the Seattle Storm on ESPN2. Tickets can be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office, on-line at NYLiberty.com, through the WNBA Ticketmaster charge-by-phone number 877-WNBA-TIX, all Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com. New York Liberty home games will be played at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons while Madison Square Garden undergoes a comprehensive, top-to-bottom Transformation.

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