Mystics take Alana Beard
April 17, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release
Washington, D.C. - The Washington Mystics today selected Alana Beard with the second overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft.
"Alana is capable of playing multiple positions. I have tremendous respect for not only her offense but her defense, and her leadership," said Washington Mystics Player Personnel Consultant Pat Summit. "She is a player with great character, not your typical rookie by any means."
Beard, a 5-11 guard from Duke University averaged 19.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg and shot 52.7 % from the field during a stellar collegiate career. She led her team to a 30-4 record for the 2003-2004 season. Beard is Duke's all-time leading scorer with 2,687 career points. Alongside her Player of the Year Award, she has garnered awards, such as the Wade Trophy/Associated Press National Player of the Year and the USBWA National Player of the Year awards. Beard is also the inaugural recipient of the John R. Wooden award.
Beard was a Kodak All-American in 2002, 2003, and 2004 as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2002, 2003, and 2004. She was also named to the All-ACC Defensive team in her last three years at Duke
The Mystics also selected Kaayla Chones in the second round (15th overall). A 6-3 Center from North Carolina State, Chones averaged 14.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg during her senior year. She also led the ACC in numerous categories including, scoring (458), field goal percentage (51%), block shots (24), and rebounding (242). She was named First Team All-ACC in 2004.
Chones leaves her mark in the record book at NC State; she is ranked in the top 15 of 14 NC State All-time Categories. Among those are scoring average (13.0), rebounds (894) and blocked shots (109).
In the third round (28th overall), Washington selected Forward Evan Unrau of the University of Missouri. At 6-1, Unrau was a First Team All-Big 12 during her junior and senior years. In 2004, she led the conference in rebounding with 8.9 rpg and averaged 17 ppg. . In a contest against Kansas State, Unrau scored 40 points for the second most scoring output in the country.
Washington will begin training for the 2004 WNBA Season as a team on Sunday, April 25th at Marymount University. Media Day will be held on Monday, April 26th from 11: 00 a.m-1:00 p.m. at Marymount University.
The Mystics will play one of its two pre-season games at MCI Center on May 11th at 7:00 p.m. vs. the Indiana Fever. The Mystics 2004 regular season tips off at MCI Center on Saturday, May 22nd versus the Charlotte Sting at 6:00 p.m. Season tickets and partial plans are currently available and can be purchased by calling (202) 661-5050 or visiting the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 17, 2004
- Connecticut Sun Pick Minnesota Star Lindsay Whalen With Fourth Selection in WNBA Draft - Connecticut Sun
- Mystics take Alana Beard - Washington Mystics
- Silver Stars Select Cindy Dallas and Toccara Williams in 2004 WNBA Draft - San Antonio Stars
- Phoenix selects Taurasi with top pick in WNBA draft - WNBA
- All-Americans Powell & Mazzante Drafted by Charlotte Sting - Charlotte Sting
- Pheonix selects Taurasi with top pick in 2004 WNBA draft - Phoenix Mercury
- New York Liberty Select Shameka Christon with 5th pick in 2004 WNBA Draft - New York Liberty
- Seattle Storm Select Catrina Frierson In 2004 WNBA Draft - Seattle Storm
- New York Liberty Conference Call - Time Change - 2:30 p.m. - New York Liberty
- Sting Select Nicole Powell With Third Pick In WNBA Draft - Charlotte Sting
- It's Official! Mercury Select Taurasi No. 1 - Phoenix Mercury
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