New York Liberty Select Shameka Christon with 5th pick in 2004 WNBA Draft
April 17, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release
Greenburgh, NY - With the fifth pick in 2004 WNBA Draft New York Liberty Senior Vice President and General Manager Carol Blazejowski selected Shameka Christon, from The University of Arkansas, as the New York Liberty first round selection, it was announced today.
A native of Hot Springs, Arkansas the 6'1" Christon has established herself as one of the top players in nation. She currently ranks second on Arkansas' all-time scoring list (1951) and holds the team record for most points scored in SEC play for one season (224). Throughout the course of her collegiate career she has received numerous awards including being named to the AP All-American Third Team in 2004 and selected SEC Player of the Year in 2004 along with making All-SEC First Team honors her senior year. As a junior she was selected to the All-SEC Second Team and the All-SEC Tournament Team.
Christon was a member of the 2002 USA World Championship gold medal team for Young Women along with competing with the 2001 USA Junior World Championship bronze medal team.
"The Liberty's goal remains the same: to provide our fans with the strongest and most competitive team we can assemble that competes for the WNBA Championship each year," says Blazejowski. We are thrilled to add Shameka Christon, one of the most complete and talented players from this year's strong draft, to our team. She is a big, athletic three that can play both ends of the floor and I envision her in our rotation immediately."
The New York Liberty also selected Amisha Carter, from Louisiana Tech University, in the second round, 17th overall and Cathy Joens, from George Washington University, in the third round making her the 30th player chosen.
Carter, a 6'2" forward averaged a double-double, 16.9 ppg and 10.8 rpg, in her senior campaign. The Oakland, CA., native was named the 2004 WAC Player of the Year as well as being a member of the 2004 All-WAC First Team, 2004 WAC All-Defensive Team and the 2004 AP All-America honorable mention squad.
Joens was selected in the third round closing out the 2004 draft for the Liberty. The 5'11" guard was a 2004 AP All-American honorable mention and two-time Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004. In addition to setting George Washington's all-time record for the most three-pointers made in a season with 95, the Irvin, CA., native averaged 14.6 ppg over her four-year career.
The New York Liberty pre-season schedule opens with a home and away contest against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Liberty travels to the West Coast for a May 8th match up in the Staples Center, followed by a home contest on May 15th at Madison Square Garden.
The 2004 regular season is set to open on the road against the Indiana Fever on May 21st followed by the 2004 home opener on Sunday, May 23rd against Sheryl Swoopes and the Houston Comets. The home opener will be broadcast live on MSG Network.
New York Liberty tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office or by calling 877-WNBA-TIX. In addition, tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets and online at nyliberty.com. To purchase a ticket plan, please call (212) 465-6073 and for Group Sales call (212) 465-6080.
The New York Liberty basketball team, in its eighth year of operation with the 2004 season, is part of the Madison Square Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns a controlling interest in the MSG L.P., which also include the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the Hartford Wolfpack (American Hockey League), the MSG Network, Fox Sports New York and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.
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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