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WNBA New York Liberty

Liberty Obtain Draft Rights to Davenport, Trade Hammon

April 4, 2007 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release


NEW YORK, April 4, 2007 - The New York Liberty acquired the draft rights to the second overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft, Ohio State's Jessica Davenport, and a first-round selection in the 2008 WNBA Draft, in exchange for guard Becky Hammon and a second-round selection in the 2008 WNBA Draft. Liberty Senior Vice President and General Manager Carol Blazejowski made the announcement today.

"Last season, the Liberty embarked on a significant rebuilding process, focused on assembling a solid foundation of youth that will ensure that we can consistently compete for the WNBA Championship," said Blazejowski. "Becky has been an important member of the New York Liberty for eight seasons, and it is with decidedly mixed emotions that we decided to make this change to allow us to further rebuild the club with the two additional top draft choices. We wish Becky tremendous success in San Antonio and thank her for all of her contributions to the Liberty over her tenure."

At 6-5, Jessica Davenport has established herself as a premier presence in the middle. Over the course of four seasons at Ohio State, Davenport averaged 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.95 blocks over 130 career games. Davenport, a two-time finalist for the Wade Trophy Award and Wooden Award, was named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006, was selected All-Big Ten the past three seasons, and Ohio State Athlete of the Year in 2006. Most recently, she was named a Kodak All-American and was selected for the USA Basketball Senior Women's National Team.

Becky Hammon, the 5-6 guard, played in 22 games - starting in 20 - and tallied 14.7 points per game and 3.7 assists last season. She missed 12 games in 2006 due to a lateral sprain in her left ankle. She graduated from Colorado State in 1999 and was assigned to the Liberty as a free agent by the WNBA.

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