Sting select Janel McCarville, Jessica Moore in 2005 WNBA draft

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


The Charlotte Sting added two players to their roster in today's WNBA Draft. With the top overall pick, the Charlotte Sting selected 6'2 forward/center Janel McCarville from the University of Minnesota. McCarville becomes the first #1 pick in Sting franchise history and follows in the footsteps of past WNBA top picks such as Diana Taurasi, LaToya Thomas, Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson. With the 24th overall pick, the Sting selected 6'3 center Jessica Moore from the University of Connecticut.

"We feel these players are great additions to our team and we are extremely excited," said Sting General Manager and Head Coach Trudi Lacey. "It is a very good day for the Charlotte Sting."

McCarville averaged 14.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during her four-year career with the Golden Gophers. She concluded her career as the Golden Gophers' all-time leader in blocked shots (200 career blocked shots), field goal percentage (.580) and double-doubles (49 career double-doubles) and as the second all-time leading rebounder (1, 217 career rebounds).

"We are ecstatic to add Janel McCarville to the Sting as the #1 pick," said Lacey. "She is a physical post player who possesses tremendous court vision combined with outstanding scoring and rebounding abilities. She will be a great fit to our team."

As a senior, she averaged 16.0 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game and was honored as a national player of the year candidate for the 2005 Wooden Award, Naismith Award, and Wade Trophy. She also earned her second consecutive nomination to the Kodak All-America First Team and was selected as a second-team Associated Press All-American.

Named to the All-Big 10 First Team for three consecutive seasons (2005, 2004, 2003), McCarville became the first Golden Gopher to play in four NCAA Tournaments over the course of her career. As a junior, she helped lead Minnesota to the NCAA Final Four where she was selected as a member of the 2004 Final Four All-Tournament Team. In addition, she set an NCAA Tournament record with 75 rebounds in 2004.

"It's definitely an honor to be the number one pick," said McCarville. "There's a lot of tradition and honor behind it. I feel lucky Charlotte selected me number one and I definitely think I can bring rebounding, strength and power to the team."

A native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, McCarville played her high school basketball at Stevens Point Area High School where she was named the 2001 Wisconsin High School Player of the Year along with Duke's Misty Williams. She also has had the opportunity to represent the United States in international play as a member of the USA's silver medal team at the 2003 Pan Am Games.

Moore, a member of the three NCAA Championship teams with the Connecticut Huskies (2004, 2003, 2002), averaged 8.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 58.4% (499-855) from the field over the course of her career. Named a 2005 All-Big East Honorable Mention, Moore tallied 8.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season as a senior. As a junior, she was honored as a member of the 2004 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team.

"We wanted to add a physical element to our team, and Jessica Moore is another player who possesses good rebounding and scoring skills," said Lacey. "She brings with her a strong work ethic as well as a championship mentality."

The Palmer, Alaska, native played her high school basketball at Colony High School where she was twice honored with the Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year Award.

The Charlotte Sting will open their ninth season on May 21 at the Charlotte Coliseum as they host Washington at 6 p.m. Season tickets are available now by calling (704) 424-WNBA. Fans can also download a schedule and further ticket information at www.charlottesting.com.

The Charlotte Bobcats organization includes the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA), the Charlotte Sting (WNBA), C-SET (Carolina Sports Entertainment Television), a 24-hour regional sports network covering the North and South Carolina, and the New Charlotte Arena, opening in the fall of 2005.



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 16, 2005


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.

OurSports Central