April 5, 2006
BOSTON - Baylor forward Sophia Young continues to make Baylor basketball history as she was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2006 WNBA draft on Wednesday afternoon in Boston. When the San Antonio Silver Stars drafted the 6-1 standout she became the program's highest-ever draft pick. The WNBA draft was televised live on ESPN2 from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
Young completed her stellar collegiate career as the program's first two-time Kodak All-American, its first AP All-American selection and earned Big 12 Player of the Year kudos as well.
The St. Vincent in the Grenadines native set four Big 12 career records this season becoming the league's all-time leader in scoring (2,480), rebounding (1,316), double-doubles (61) and rebounding average (9.5). In addition, she is one of only four players who have tallied 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 steals and 300 assists in their NCAA Division I careers. The elite group includes Cheryl Miller (USC), Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamicha Catchings (Tennessee). Young finished her career with 2,480 points, 1,316 rebounds, 315 steals and 303 assists.
This season Young led the Big 12 in scoring (22.2) and ranks No. 2 in steals (71), No. 3 in rebounding (10.0) and double-doubles (17), No. 4 in field goal percentage (.551) and No. 15 in blocks (33). In addition she ranks No. 2 nationally in scoring.
LSU's Seimone Augustus was taken by the Minnesota Lynx as the number one overall selection in the 2006 draft followed by Rutgers' Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix) and Duke's Monique Curry (Charlotte).
"I am very excited to be going to San Antonio, it's where I want to be. Baylor fans can come and support me, I love my Baylor fans. I will still be near family, coaches, teammates and people who care about me. San Antonio is definitely a team I feel I can fit into. I really like the coaching staff and feel they can develop my game," Young said.
Other Big 12 Conference players drafted today included: LaToya Bond (27th, Charlotte) and Christelle N'Garsanet (37th, New York), both from Missouri and Texas Tech point guard Erin Grant (39th, Seattle).
Young became Baylor's fourth WNBA draftee. Sheila Lambert was the seventh overall pick in the 2002 draft, Danielle Crockrom was selected 11th that same season and Steffanie Blackmon was a third round selection in last year's draft.
