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WNBA Seattle Storm

Storm Select Barbara Turner in 2006 WNBA Draft

April 5, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Seattle Storm News Release


SEATTLE - The Seattle Storm today selected 6-0 forward Barbara Turner from the University of Connecticut in the first round (11th pick overall) of the 2006 WNBA Draft held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

"We were very impressed with what Barbara has shown throughout her career at UConn and especially in the last month at the NCAA Tournament and in the pre-draft camp," Storm Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Anne Donovan said. "She's a high-energy player and a tremendous rebounder and I'm excited to have her on our roster."

Turner averaged 12.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season for the Huskies while shooting 54.5 percent from the field. The Cleveland native was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team in 2003 and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Big East Tournament in 2005. In her four-year career at UConn, Turner averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 138 career games while shooting 52.7 percent from the field. Turner hit the game-winning three-pointer to beat Georgia in the Sweet 16 of the 2006 NCAA Tournament before UConn fell to eventual runner-up Duke in the Bridgeport Regional Final.

"I'm so excited to come to Seattle and play on a championship contender," Turner said. "I know the expectations will be very high and I can't wait to get there and get to work."

In the WNBA Draft's second round, Seattle selected 6-3 forward Dalila Eshe from Florida with the 25th overall pick. Eshe averaged 14.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game during her senior season and was recently named to the 2006 All-SEC First Team. Eshe appeared in 116 career games for the Gators, averaging 6.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg.

The Storm chose Erin Grant, a 5-8 guard from Texas Tech, with the 39th overall selection in the draft's third round. Grant was named All-Big 12 First Team following each of the last two seasons and was the Co-Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2003. Grant averaged 12.0 ppg and 6.3 apg this season for the Lady Raiders.

The Storm will open their 2006 season against Western Conference rival Los Angeles at KeyArena beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. The following Tuesday, May 23, Seattle will host the Houston Comets at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Single-game tickets for all of the Storm's 2006 regular-season home games, as well as their May 7 preseason game against the New York Liberty at KeyArena, will go on sale Monday, May 1 at 10 a.m. All Storm home games will be played at the Key this summer, the team's seventh season in the WNBA. For additional information on 2006 Storm single-game tickets or ticket packages, call 206-217-WNBA or log on to storm.wnba.com.

The Seattle Sonics & Storm manages the Puget Sound region's professional basketball franchises - the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics and the WNBA's Seattle Storm. The organization oversees all sales, marketing, finance, public relations and basketball operations for the teams. The Basketball Club of Seattle LLC owns both teams.

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