Sting Select Nicole Powell With Third Pick In WNBA Draft
April 17, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Charlotte Sting News Release
The Charlotte Sting added versatility to their roster today as they selected Stanford's Nicole Powell with the third overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft.
"We are extremely excited to add Nicole Powell to our roster," said Sting General Manager and Head Coach Trudi Lacey. "She has a very high basketball IQ, is a great rebounder and passer and is the most versatile player in this year's draft."
Powell, a 6-2 forward/guard, averaged 17.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game during her four-year career with the Cardinal. She finished her career as Stanford's all-time leading rebounder (1,143 career rebounds) and third all-time leading scorer (2,062 career points). In addition, Powell recorded six career triple doubles, becoming the only player in Pac-10 history to tally more than one career triple-double.
As a senior, Powell averaged 20.2 ppg and 11.2 rpg as she helped lead the Cardinal to the 2004 Pac-10 conference and tournament title. She also helped her team advance to the Elite Eight where she was named the Most Outstanding Player for the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region.
At the conclusion of the 2004 season, Powell was honored with a selection to the Associated Press All-America First Team and was nominated as a finalist for the State Farm Wade Trophy and the inaugural Wooden award. She also for the third consecutive season was nominated as a finalist for the Naismith Award and was named a Kodak First-Team All-American. With this Kodak First-Team All-American honor, Powell became the first player in Stanford history to be a three-time Kodak All-American.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Powell played her high school basketball at Mountain Pointe High where she was selected as a 2000 Parade First Team All-American and as the Arizona Player of the Century by the Arizona Republic. Powell has also had the opportunity to represent the United States in international play, as she was a member of the USA Basketball Team that captured the silver medal the 2003 Pan American games. She also won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2001 FIBA Junior World Championships and a gold medal at the 2000 Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying Tournament in Argentina.
The Charlotte Sting will add three additional faces to the roster as they select in the 18th , 22nd and 35th positions of today's draft. They traded guard Kelly Miller to the Indiana Fever on February 5, putting them in position to draft third.
The Phoenix Mercury began the 2004 WNBA draft by selecting Connecticut's Diana Taurasi. Washington followed, selecting Duke's Alana Beard with the second pick. After the Sting took Powell with the third pick, the Connecticut Sun chose Lindsay Whalen with the fourth selection and the New York Liberty selected Shameka Christon with the fifth pick. Complete draft results can be found by visiting www.wnba.com.
The Charlotte Sting will open their eighth season of WNBA action on Friday, May 21st at the Charlotte Coliseum as they host the four-time WNBA champion Houston Comets. Fans interested in purchasing tickets should call 704-424-WNBA or log on to www.charlottesting.com for more information and a full season schedule.
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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