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WNBA Connecticut Sun

Sun Select Holt, UConn's Swanier In First Round

April 9, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release


UNCASVILLE, Conn. (April 9, 2008) - With their first two picks in the 2008 WNBA Draft on Wednesday, the Connecticut Sun chose 6-foot-0 forward Amber Holt from Middle Tennessee State and 5-7 guard Ketia Swanier from UConn.

Holt led the NCAA in scoring this season, averaging 27.4 points per game. She also set single-season program records for made field goals (352), field goal attempts (680), free throws (206), free throw attempts (261) and 30-point games (14). She averaged 22 points per game in two seasons at MTSU.

A native of Duluth, Ga., Holt finished the season with 930 points, the fifth most ever scored by any player in one season in NCAA history. Only Jackie Stiles of Missouri State (1,062 points in 2001), Cindy Brown of Long Beach State (974 points in 1987), Genia Miller of Cal State-Fullerton (969 points in 1991) and Sheryl Swoopes of Texas Tech (955 points in 1993) ever amassed more points in a season. Holt also had 20 games with eight or more rebounds this season.

"We were very thrilled to take her in the first round," Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. "Obviously, we have a need on the perimeter for scoring, and she led the county in scoring. We envision her as a three (small forward) who can eventually play the two (guard) at some point. She's had some of her biggest games against the best teams in the country, and we think she fits what we need for the future of the team. She's a tough kid. She's had the pressure of carrying the load for her team all year, and she's seen every kind of defense they can throw at her. She won't have to be in that position for us."

Swanier is a speedy guard who averaged 4.2 assists per game in her last two seasons with the Huskies, and finished with 479 for her career, the seventh best total in program history. She led the Big East with a 2.10 assist-to-turnover ratio this season, earning Big East Sixth Man of the Year and All Big East Honorable Mention this year. Swanier had 247 steals at UConn, which was also seventh best in program history.

"Ketia is one of the most improved players in the country over the last two years," Thibault said. "She gives us great depth at point guard. Her speed and quickness and defense will add to the toughness and athleticism of our team. And as everyone knows, I put a premium on point guard."

The Connecticut Sun will tip off its sixth season on May 17th, hosting the Atlanta Dream - the WNBA's newest expansion team - at 4 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena. That is the first of 17 regular season home games for the Sun, who will be pursuing their sixth straight trip to the playoffs.

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