CardinalSports.com - McCoughtry first pick in WNBA

April 9, 2009

Howie Lindsey
CardinalSports.com Managing Editor

Louisville small forward Angel McCoughtry was selected by the Atlanta Dream with the first pick in the WNBA Draft Thursday. Televised live on ESPN2, the Draft is now in its 13th year. McCoughtry, the best player in the history of Louisville women's basketball, led the Cardinals to the 2009 NCAA national final. She led the Big East in points, rebounds and steals this season.

McCoughtry is the highest scoring player in the history of the University of Louisville. She is always solid on the court, but said the emotional roller-coaster of draft day is a little different.

"It was nerve-wracking, but exciting at the same time," McCoughtry said if the Draft experience. "I was saying that no matter where I would go, I just wanted to go and help the team work towards winning a WNBA championship."

McCoughtry's pick is obviously the highest a Louisville player has ever been taken in the WNBA Draft and also the first time a Louisville player has been selected in the first round. The Cardinals' only other selection was center Lori Nero, who was drafted by the Houston Comets with the 19th pick of the Second Round in 2003.

McCoughtrywas asked what she can do to make the Atlanta Dream into a WNBA contender.

"We just need to keep believing and keep playing passionately like I play," McCoughtry said. "I'll just try to help my team as much as I can."

As the first overall pick, McCoughtry joined an elite group of women that includes last year's top pick Candace Parker and many other stars of the game like 2004's top pick Diana Taurasi, 2002's top pick Sue Bird and 1999's top pick Chamique Holdsclaw.

All-time WNBA Draft list

A pair of Maryland players, Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver were picked second and third, with Coleman going to the Washington Mystics and Toliver going to the Chicago Sky. Louisville coach Jeff Walz, who coached McCoughtry for the last two seasons, was an assistant at Maryland and helped lead the Terrapins to an NCAA title when Coleman and Toliver were freshmen.

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