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WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix Mercury select forward Sandora Irvin as first pick (third pick overall) in the 2005 WNBA Dra

April 16, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release


Phoenix, Ariz. - The Phoenix Mercury selected forward Sandora Irvin, the niece of former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin as their first pick (third pick overall) in the 2005 WNBA Draft.

The Texas Christian University star and 2005 AP First Team All-American and finished her college career as the all-time leader in blocked shots with 480, shattering the old record of 428 set in 1991. Irvin averaged 19.9 points and 11.8 rebounds a game her senior season and ended her collegiate career with 15 consecutive double-doubles.

"One of our major deficiency's last season was defending and rebounding in the post and Sandora will help address that," said General Manager Seth Sulka. "When it came down to it, we went with a player we felt was going to be the best pro down the line and we think that Sandora can be an all-star in this league."

The Mercury also owned the 18th and 31st picks in the draft and with the 18th pick, the Mercury selected Angelina Williams. The 6'0 forward from Illinois averaged 17.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in her senior season. With the 31st pick, the Mercury selected Jamie Carey from the University of Texas. The 5'6 guard averaged 12.2 points and 2.5 assists in her senior season and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team in 2004 and 2005.

"I'm very excited about getting the opportunity to play in Phoenix," said Irvin via her cell phone. "It will be great being able to play on the same team with Diana Taurasi instead of having to play against her. I'm sure I'm going to grow as a player and I'm coming into a program that is already of the best teams in the WNBA."

The Mercury have 17 players on their roster, including the free agent additions of Kamila Vodichkova and Belinda Snell and begin training camp on April 25.

"We are going to have to make some tough cuts at camp, the way our roster looks now," said Coach Carrie Graf. "Through free agency, we added some depth to our bench, some inside presence and now with Sandora we have another inside player that can run and defend and block shots, so I think with the draft picks we acquired today, combined with the talent we had last year, it is a really exciting time for our organization."

In 2004, the Mercury finished with a 17-17 record, a great improvement from the 2003 Mercury season finishing 8-26 record.

The Mercury begin the 2005 season on at home on Saturday, May 21 when they host the Sacramento Monarchs at 7 p.m. inside America West Arena. Mercury fans have the opportunity to see their favorite WNBA team in action through all 17 regular season home games this summer with the purchase of a full season ticket plan. Season tickets are available in a variety of packages. For information on Mercury season tickets, call (602)-379-7878 or visit www.phoenixmercury.com.

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