https://twitter.com/MsBennyBonsu/status/588847197485191168
A pair of Minnesota Gophers women’s basketball players were drafted in the WNBA Draft on Thursday night.
Former Gophers center Amanda Zahui B. was the second overall pick by the Tulsa Shock, while the Lynx selected Shae Kelley with the 35th overall pick.
There was some thought that Zahui might be drafted first overall by the Seattle, but the Storm went with Notre Dame guard Jewell Lloyd instead.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Ratke/status/588841662127865856
Zahui is the highest-picked Gopher since Janel McCarville was taken with the first pick by Charlotte in 2005. She is also the highest Big Ten selection since Maryland’s Marissa Coleman, who was also taken second overall by Washington in 2009.
In just two seasons with the Gophers, the Stockholm, Sweden, native left her mark in the record books. She is the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 240, and became the fourth sophomore to join the Gophers’ 1,000-point club.
Lynx make draft day trade
The Minnesota Lynx made a draft day trade when they were on the clock. Minnesota sent the 11th, 23rd and 28th overall picks to the New York Liberty for Anna Cruz and the Liberty’s 16th and 35th overall picks.
Cruz becomes second Spanish guard to currently play for a local basketball team. She averaged 7.7 pts, 3.5 apg, 1.3 spg and 3.5 rpg
— Kent Youngblood (@BloodStrib) April 16, 2015
She won’t join the team right for the start of the season. Cruz will play for the Spanish national team in an Olympic qualifier in June before joining Minnesota.
We're hearing from #LosLynx that Anna Cruz will join them after she plays for Spain in that Olympic qualifier in mid-June. #WNBADraft2015
— Patrick Borzi (@BorzMN) April 17, 2015
With the 16th pick in the draft the Lynx then selected California forward Reshanda Gray.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Ratke/status/588858917360402432
Then with the other pick acquired in the trade, the Lynx selected Kelley. She averaged 16.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for the Gophers last season, and along with Zahui provided the Gophers with one of the top front courts in the Big Ten.
Lynx draft @ShaeKellz with the 35th pick in the third round. They're probably getting a steal. #Gophers
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) April 17, 2015
