Sting select three players in 2006 WNBA draft
April 5, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Charlotte Sting News Release
The Charlotte Sting bolstered their roster adding three players in today's WNBA Draft. In the first round, the Sting selected 6-0 guard/forward Monique Currie from Duke University with the third overall pick and then selected 6-5 center Tye'sha Fluker from the University of Tennessee with the 10th overall pick. In the second round, Charlotte selected 5-7 guard LaToya Bond from the University of Missouri with the 27th overall pick.
Currie averaged 15.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 140 career games with the Blue Devils. She finished her career as the only player in ACC history to register over 2,000 points, 800 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals.
"Monique is a very versatile player who sees the floor well, passes well, is a good rebounder and has the ability to get to the free throw line often," said Sting General Manager Trudi Lacey. "We thought she would be a good fit with the core of players we have."
In 2005-06, Currie averaged 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting .475 (202-425) and a career-best .420 (42-100) from three-point range as a fifth-year senior. She posted the only triple double in the ACC this season with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists against Florida State on January 5, 2006.
Selected as a Kodak All-American for the second straight year, Currie is only the second player in Duke history, joining Alana Beard, as a repeat honoree. During the course of her career, she helped lead the Blue Devils to three NCAA Final Four appearances including a trip to the Championship game in 2006. In 2004-05, she averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists as she was named the 2005 ACC Player of the Year.
"This is a dream come true for me," said Currie. "I've been a fan of the league since its inception, and this season, I have really been looking forward to becoming a part of the league. I am looking to come in and contribute and make an impact. I can score, and I am really looking to put the ball in the basket, if that's what they need me to do."
A native of Washington, D.C., she was named a finalist for the 2001 Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award as a senior at The Bullies School after averaging 21.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 steals. She graduated from Duke with a degree in African-American studies and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in humanities.
Fluker averaged 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting .532 (133-250) from the floor this season for the Tennessee Lady Vols. She finished her career ranked seventh in games played with 140 and 12th in career blocks with 88.
"With the 10th pick, we wanted to fill a void in our post position. We wanted some help in terms of rebounding," said Lacey. "We think that she will be able to give us that."
A three-time All-SEC Academic selection, Fluker helped lead Tennessee to three Final Four appearances, two regular season SEC titles, two SEC Tournament crowns and an overall record of 125-19 in her four-year career.
"I am so excited," said Fluker. "I'm ready to work hard and do whatever the coaching staff needs me to do. I'm a physical post player and I like to get in on the block and bang and post up."
A native of Pasadena, California, Fluker was named a Top 10 finalist for the Naismith National Player of the Year Award and was selected to participate in the inaugural McDonald's All-American game following her senior season at John Muir High School.
Bond averaged 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting .501 (185-369) from the field for the Tigers this season. An All-Big 12 First Team selection, she was also named to the All-Big 12 Defensive Team.
"LaToya is a versatile athletic guard who can score off the dribble," said Lacey. "That will be a great asset to us considering the rule change to a 24 second shot clock. She adds depth to our team at the point guard position."
A native of Urbana, Illinois, she averaged 10.8 points in 110 career games. She also is one of only three players in Missouri history to score 1,000 points and dish out 300 assists in her career.
The Charlotte Sting's 10th anniversary season begins on May 20 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena as they host the Chicago Sky at 6 p.m. Season tickets are available for as low as $99 and are on sale now. For more information, please call 704-424-WNBA. Fans can also download a full season schedule and further ticket information at CharlotteSting.com.
Bobcats Sports & Entertainment owns and operates the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA), the Charlotte Sting (WNBA), and operates the widely-acclaimed Charlotte Bobcats Arena, which opened in the fall of 2005.
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