Monarchs acquire 2004 Stanford standout Nicole Powell in trade for Smith

Published on March 3, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


SACRAMENTO, CALIF., MARCH 4, 2005 - The Sacramento Monarchs today announce that the franchise acquired guard/forward Nicole Powell, center Olympia Scott-Richardson and forward/guard Erin Buescher in a trade with the Charlotte Sting. In exchange, Charlotte will acquire Sacramento's Tangela Smith and the Monarchs second round pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft.

Nicole Powell, the three-time Kodak All-American (2002-2004), was drafted by the Charlotte Sting as the third overall pick of the 2004 WNBA Draft and averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in her rookie season. This 6-2, four-year Stanford standout averaged 17.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists during her college career and left as Stanford's all-time leader in career rebounds (1,143) and third all-time leading scorer (2,062). As a senior she earned Associated Press First Team honors, was named the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region and was selected as a finalist for the Naismith Award (third nomination), the State Farm Wade Trophy and the inaugural Wooden Award. Powell also earned the Pac-10 Player of the Year Award twice (2003-04; 2001-02) and was named to the First-Team All-Pac 10 in each of her four seasons. She is currently finishing her degree at Stanford during the 2004-05 off season.

"Nicole was a dominant player in college and we have always had an interest in her," said Monarchs Head Coach and General Manager John Whisenant. "Her style of play gives us exactly what we need - a perimeter shooter that can also pass the ball."

Charlotte will gain a seven-year WNBA veteran in Tangela Smith who was a five-year starting forward for the Monarchs. Smith helped the Monarchs advance to the WNBA Western Conference Finals three times in the past four seasons and played in 193 consecutive games with the franchise.

"Charlotte wanted Tangela because she was a perfect fit for their needs. The Monarchs needed a greater perimeter presence and we got that in this trade. We wish Tangela all the best in her move to Charlotte," said Whisenant.

Fellow Stanford alumna (1998), Olympia Scott-Richardson, is a six-year veteran of the WNBA and was originally drafted by the Utah Starzz in the second round (No. 11 overall) of the 1998 WNBA Draft. She signed with Charlotte in 2004 as a free agent after sitting out the 2003 season due to a knee injury while still a member of the Indiana Fever (2001-03). Scott-Richardson has averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game during her WNBA career. Currently, she is in her second season with the William Smith College women's basketball program and was recently promoted from interim head coach to head coach in January of 2005.

Erin Buescher was initially drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in the second round (No. 23 overall) of the 2001 WNBA Draft and was acquired by the Charlotte Sting in a 2002 WNBA Draft-day deal. She has been on Charlotte's injured list since, August 6, 2003. The 2001 Master's College graduate has averaged 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in her three WNBA seasons. Buescher is currently in New Zealand playing for the Harbour Breeze.

"Both Olympia and Erin have proven themselves to be quality WNBA players. They have both been actively working on their game and we are excited to see how they perform in training camp," Whisenant said.

The Sacramento Monarchs first regular season home game will be on Saturday, June 4 at ARCO Arena when the Monarchs host the Los Angeles Sparks at 1:00 p.m. in a game to be nationally televised on ABC.

Fans are asked to call (916) 419-WNBA for information about season ticket plans. For more information, please visit the Monarchs website at www.SacramentoMonarchs.com.

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