Sun Earn Top Pick in WNBA Draft Lottery
Published on December 10, 2013 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (December 10, 2013) - The Connecticut Sun earned the No. 1 selection in the 2014 WNBA Draft Tuesday, winning the lottery for the first time in franchise history.
The Tulsa Shock finished with the No. 2 pick while the San Antonio Silver Stars were third and the New York Liberty were fourth.
"The beautiful thing about this is that we can go in a number of different directions," Sun head coach Anne Donovan said. "We're still in the process of looking at last year's roster, and looking at the health issues that we've had, and just trying to determine what direction we'll go in. That's the beauty. We are in the driver's seat to pick who we need. We could possibly go with a small forward to compliment Tina (Charles). There are great point guards in the draft as well, so there's evaluation still to be done to see what direction we go."
As a result of finishing 10-24 during the 2013 season, Connecticut entered the lottery with the best odds to win - a 44.2 percent chance of earning the first pick in the WNBA Draft. Among the other lottery-eligible teams, New York and Tulsa - both 11-23 last season - had a 22.7 percent chance at the top pick while San Antonio (12-22 last year) had a 10.4 percent chance.
"It's a good feeling, there's no doubt about it," Connecticut Sun Vice President and General Manager Chris Sienko said. "Going in, you can never be sure on what you are going to get, or not get, but fortunately it worked out in our favor. We're excited. Being in this spot is good. It's much better than being in another spot. I feel like we have a great opportunity ahead of us."
The only other time Connecticut participated in the WNBA Draft lottery was 2010, when it earned the third overall pick behind the Minnesota Lynx and Sacramento Monarchs. W hen Sacramento folded, Connecticut moved up to No. 2. It then traded Lindsay Whalen and that second pick to Minnesota for the No. 1 pick and Renee Montgomery. The Sun used that top pick to select Tina Charles.
LOTTERY TEAMS FOR 2014 WNBA DRAFT
Team Record Chances (out of 1,000)
1. Connecticut 10-24 442
2. New York 11-23 227
3. Tulsa 11-23 227
4. San Antonio 12-22 104
Following is the remaining order of the first round, as determined by 2013 regular-season records:
REMAINING ORDER FOR FIRST ROUND
Team Record
5. Indiana 16-18
6. Washington 17-17
7. Seattle 17-17
8. Atlanta 17-17
9. Phoenix 19-15
10. Chicago 24-10
11. Los Angeles 24-10
12. Minnesota 26-8
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from December 10, 2013
- Sun Earn Top Pick in WNBA Draft Lottery - Connecticut Sun
- Liberty Secure Fourth Pick in 2014 WNBA Draft Lottery - New York Liberty
- Connecticut Sun Wins Top Pick in 2014 WNBA Draft Lottery - WNBA
- Tulsa Shock Win Second Overall Pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft - Tulsa Shock
- Sky's 2014 'High School Team of the Year' Program Begins in January - Chicago Sky
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