Mystics select Marissa Coleman

April 9, 2009 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release

Washington, D.C. - The Washington Mystics today selected Marissa Coleman with the second overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft.

"We are excited to add a standout player like Marissa Coleman to the Washington Mystics roster with the second overall pick. Marissa was an integral part of building a championship program at Maryland and has consistently demonstrated an ability to elevate her game at crucial times during the course of a game," said Mystics Vice President and General Manager, Angela Taylor. "Her size, versatility, and ability to score from anywhere on the floor makes her a very special player. Her competitiveness, work ethic, and passion for winning have made her a champion. All of which will certainly will be great complements to the players we have on our roster."

Coleman, a 6-1 Guard/Forward from the University of Maryland is one of the most prolific scorers in this year's draft. In 2009, she was named the ACC tournament's Most Valuable Player and earned a spot on the All-ACC First team for leading Maryland to its first ACC title since 1989. She was recently named to the State Farm All-America team and the Associated Press All-American team. This past year, Coleman averaged 18.1 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. She is the first player in the ACC to record over 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals and 100 blocks.

Coleman earned numerous honors during her four years at Maryland. In 2006, she was named the ACC Rookie of the Year and made the All-ACC tournament first team. She has been a Wooden Award Preseason Candidate in 2006 and 2008. Coleman was named Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention in 2007 and 2008. She also was on the ACC second team from 2006-2008.

The Mystics selected 5-6 guard Camille Lenoir from the University of Southern California in the second round (23rd overall). She averaged 11.4 points per game and 3.8 rebounds during her tenure at USC. She recently earned Pac-10 Academic Honors. Lenoir was named to the All-Pac 10 third team in 2008 and received All-Pac 10 honorable Mention in 2005 and 2006.

Washington also drafted Jelena Milovanovic in the second round (24th overall) from Sopron, Hungary. The 6-4 Forward/Center played for MKB Euroleasing. She was a member of the team that won gold at the European under 18 Championships and was named the tournament's MVP. She recorded 16.1 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game.

In the third round (28th overall), the Mystics selected Josephine Owino of Union University. A 6-3 Center originally from Kenya, Owino led her team to its fourth NAIA title this year. She was named the NAIA player of the year for the second consecutive year. Owino averaged 19.3 points per game and 8.5 rebounds this past year.

The Washington Mystics will tip off the 2009 season on Saturday, June 6 on the road against the Connecticut Sun. Washington will host the club's home opener on Sunday, June 7 against the Atlanta Dream. Season and group tickets for the 2009 season are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mystics Sales Office at 1-877-DC-HOOP1 or by visiting the Mystics website at www.washingtonmystics.com

The Washington Mystics organization is dedicated to providing affordable entertainment, serving as an impactful community partner and maintaining accessibility to positive female role models. Supported by passionate fans, the Mystics are elite, hardworking athletes continually striving to win a Championship.

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 9, 2009

• Storm selects Walker and Freshour in 2009 WNBA Draft - Seattle Storm
• Minnesota Lynx Add Quanitra Hollingsworth, Rashanda McCants and Emily Fox in 2009 WNBA Draft - Minnesota Lynx
• Sun Select Three In WNBA Draft - Connecticut Sun
• Monarchs bring Courtney Paris back to Northern California - Sacramento Monarchs
• Silver Stars select three in WNBA Draft presented by adidas - San Antonio Stars
• Mercury adds Sha Brooks and Jessica Addair to roster - Phoenix Mercury
• Shock select Shavonte Zellous - Detroit Shock
• Top picks in 2009 WNBA Draft - WNBA
• Mystics select Marissa Coleman - Washington Mystics
• January Highlights Fever Draft - Indiana Fever
• Chicago Sky Selects Kristi Toliver In 2009 Draft - Chicago Sky
• Mercury Selects DeWanna Bonner in 2009 WNBA Draft - Phoenix Mercury
• Dream Adds Lehning And Morrow On Draft Day - Atlanta Dream
• Sun Pick Chante Black In First Round Of WNBA Draft - Connecticut Sun
• Dream Selects Angel McCoughtry with First Pick - Atlanta Dream
• Lynx Select Connecticut's Renee Montgomery with the Fourth Overall Pick of the 2009 WNBA Draft - Minnesota Lynx
• Mystics Select Marissa Coleman - Washington Mystics
• Dream Trades Draft Pick For Guard Ashley Shields - Atlanta Dream
• Shock Acquires 18th Overall Pick In 2009 Draft - Detroit Shock

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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