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WNBA Connecticut Sun

Sun Acquire Whitmore, 12th Pick From Fever For Douglas

February 19, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release


UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Feb. 19, 2008) - The Connecticut Sun announced today a trade that will send guard Katie Douglas to the Indiana Fever in exchange for veteran forward Tamika Whitmore, along with the 12th pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and the rights to former Duke guard Jessica Foley.

"Since last season, and especially over the past few months, Katie made it clear that she wanted to play for her hometown team," said Chris Sienko, Connecticut Sun general manger. "She asked us to trade her only to Indiana, assuming we could make a fair trade. We feel that in bringing back proven go-to player like Tamika Whitmore, along with the No. 12 pick in the draft, that we made out quite well in the trade. You never want to give up a player such as Katie, but when you have the chance to toughen up your roster with a player such as Tamika and supplement the team with a high draft pick, it makes it much easier."

Originally selected with the 10th pick in the first round of the 2001 WNBA Draft by the Orlando Miracle, Douglas developed into a two-time All Star for the Sun, establishing franchise records for scoring average in each of the last two seasons. The Indianapolis native was the MVP of the 2006 WNBA All Star Game, and is in the top five of numerous team statistical categories.

The 6-2 Whitmore is a veteran forward who earned WNBA All Star honors for the first time in her nine-year career during the 2007 season, averaging 11 points and five rebounds for the Fever. Picked in the third round (30th overall) of the 1999 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty, Whitmore has amassed 2,829 points and 1,145 rebounds during her career, and she is 20th overall in made field goals (1,073). During the last two seasons with Indiana, Whitmore scored 20 or more points 12 times, compared to 10 times in the 224 games she played prior to joining the Fever.

"Obviously, we made this trade with mixed emotions," Sun head coach Mike Thibault said. "Katie has meant a lot to our success since we've been here, and watching her improve and grow as a player has been wonderful. However, it's hard to go forward with players whose heart and loyalty are divided. This trade gives us the opportunity to restructure and strengthen our front line, something that was a major goal this offseason. Tamika will be a major addition to our team and the way that we play in the future as will the draft pick."

Whitmore has also participated in 40 playoff games, tied for second most in league history, and has played in the WNBA Finals three times. She set a WNBA playoff record with 41 points against Detroit during the 2006 playoffs, and she averaged 20 points and eight rebounds during last year's three-game Eastern Conference Semifinal playoff series between the Fever and Sun.

Foley is a 6-0 guard from Australia who played four seasons at Duke, where she set a single-season team record with 68 made three-pointers as a junior. Indiana selected Foley in the third round of the 2006 WNBA Draft with the 38th overall pick.

The Connecticut Sun will open its sixth season of play on May 17th by hosting the Atlanta Dream in Mohegan Sun Arena. Season tickets and mini-plans are on sale now and can be reserved by calling a Sun Ticket Representative at 1.877.SUN.TIXX (786-8499).

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