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Minnesota Lynx

Minnesota Lynx Acquire First Overall Pick Lindsey Harding in Exchange for Tangela Smith

April 4, 2007 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release


MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Lynx today acquired Duke University guard Lindsey Harding, the first overall selection in the 2007 WNBA Draft, from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for forward Tangela Smith. In addition, the Minnesota Lynx selected UCLA guard Noelle Quinn, a three-time All-Pac-10 First Team member, with the fourth overall pick of the 2007 WNBA Draft.

"It's really exciting to add a player of Lindsey's caliber to our roster," said Lynx Chief Operating Officer Roger Griffith. "When you have the opportunity to make a move and get the top player in the country, it's something you have to do to improve your team. She's going to be a tremendous asset to the Lynx."

In addition to being named the Naismith Player of the Year, Harding was also named National Player of the Year, an All-American, Defensive Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior, she averaged 13.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 34 games for the Blue Devils. The native of Houston, Texas, is Duke's all-time assists leader with 579 dimes and is one of two Blue Devils to post 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 250 steals in her career.

Harding increased her points-per-game in each of her seasons, with averages of 6.2, 6.8, 10.7 and 13.6 points. In her senior season, Harding increased her average to 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals against ranked opponents. Harding posted back-to-back career highs of 29 and 28 points in two contests against Maryland, along with 21 against the eventual National Champions, Tennessee. She leaves Duke with 128 career victories, the school's all-time wins leader.

"We're thrilled to have a player with Lindsey's talent," said Lynx head coach Don Zierden. "Her play speaks for itself as she was the Player of the Year. We think she'll fit in well with our team in terms of distributing the ball and getting her own shot. In addition to that, she's a great defensive presence on the court."

"We're very happy to have Noelle as part of our team," said Lynx Chief Operating Officer Roger Griffith. "Noelle is a versatile guard who can score, pass and rebound, and is definitely a triple-threat. She is also considered one of the best passers in the collegiate game."

Quinn, a 6-0 guard who started in 106 of her 107 games with the Bruins, averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists as a senior. She topped UCLA in all three categories and set her collegiate best with 5.8 apg. In addition to her three All-Pac-10 First Team selections (2005, 2006, 20007), she was an AP All-American Honorable Mention (2006, 2007) and the Pac-10 Freshman of the year (2004). Quinn is the only UCLA basketball player, man or woman, to record 1,700+ points, 700+ rebounds and 400+ assists in her career.

Quinn's four-year totals at UCLA (through the 2007 regular season) are 17.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 4.2 apg. Her season highs were 18.1 ppg in 2005-06, 8.2 rpg in 2005-06 and 5.8 apg in 2006-07. The Los Angeles, Calif., native is 22 years old and a business/economics major.

"We believe Noelle has tremendous upside and growth as a player," said Lynx head coach Don Zierden. "As a coaching staff, we really like her ability to pass the ball and score within the flow of the offense. She is an extremely talented player who knows the game. We look forward to adding her to our solid core of young players."

Tangela Smith came to the Lynx with the second selection of the Charlotte Sting dispersal draft in January. She averaged 11.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 288 career games played with Sacramento and Charlotte.

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