A quick glance at Chicago Sky draft picks
Sylvia Fowles, Louisiana State
Taken: 2nd pick overall
Position: Center
Height: 6-6
Birthdate: Oct. 6, 1985
Birthplace: Miami, Florida
High School: Edison
2007-08: Averaged 17.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg
Highlights: First female high school player to dunk in a game, as a 6-3 ninth grader at Edison High School in Miami. Her spectacular one-handed dunk against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in November 2007 is a YouTube classic. This year, Fowles led the LSU Lady Tigers to a perfect 14-0 conference record, the regular season SEC title, and a fourth straight Final Four appearance.
Honors: Fowles was named to the 2008 Associated Press All-America Team, and is a two-time State Farm (formerly Kodak) All-American. The Women's Basketball Coaches Association named her its 2008 National Defensive Player of the Year and she was one of 12 finalists for the 2008 State Farm Wade Trophy. Fowles is the 2008 SEC Player of the Year, and was named to the All-SEC First Team for three consecutive years.
Quick quote: "It's exciting to have a player like Sylvia on our team, whose extraordinary skills have the potential to change the game and expand the appeal of the WNBA," said Sky head coach Steven Key. "But what's even more exciting is that Sylvia is exactly the building block the Sky needs in our third season. I can't wait to see her on the floor with two-time All-Star Candice Dupree at the forward and Rookie of the Year Armintie Price at guard. Wow."
Career marks: This season, Fowles led the SEC with 7.5 defensive rebounds per game while tallying 54 blocked shots, fifth most in the league. She averaged 61% from the field, 17.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. In four years at LSU, her field goal average was 59%, with 15.6 points and 11 rebounds per game. Fowles holds the SEC record for rebounds with 1,574 and for career double doubles (82). She is LSU's career leader in blocked shots (321), free throws made (494), free throws attempted (822) and games played. She has fouled out once in her last three college seasons, a rarity in the post position.
Sky guard Armintie Price on Fowles: "I played against Sylvia in college and she is an unstoppable post player who can change the game at the next level. She is determined, aggressive, smart, and has a great attitude. With her work ethic and personality, Sylvia is bound to become a WNBA All-Star and be in the running for Rookie of the Year. I am personally looking forward to seeing the positive impact she is going to have with our team on the court. With her skills and ability to play above the rim, there are going to be some exciting Sky games this summer!"
Sky forward Candice Dupree: "Sylvia will help our team with her ability to rebound and alter opposing players' shots. For me, the biggest impact is that she will give Chas (Melvin) and me more freedom at the offensive end, as defenses will have another legitimate low post presence they MUST pay attention to. She has enormous potential and her game should develop quickly as she begins to practice and play against more experienced athletes. I'm looking forward to having her as a teammate."
Quianna Chaney, Louisiana State
Taken: 2nd round, fifth pick (19th overall-
Position: Guard
Height: 5-11
Birthdate: April 14, 1986
Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
High School: Southern Lab
2007-08: Averaged 14.9 ppg, 3.2 assists
Highlights: She ranked second in career three-pointers made at LSU, with 205 - sinking 93 from beyond the arc in her senior season. She shot 38% from 3-point range. Chaney finished her career as the Lady Tigers' 15th all-time leading scorer with 1,345 points.
Honors: Named to the 2008 All-SEC First team and helped LSU to a fourth straight Final Four appearance this year.
Angela Tisdale, Baylor
Taken: Third round (33rd overall)
Position: Guard
Height: 5-7
Birthdate: March 25, 1985
Birthplace: Austin, Texas
High School: Del Valle
2007-08: Averaged 16.4 ppg, 3.8 assists
Highlights: Ranked fifth in the Big 12 in scoring, averaging a team-leading 16.2 points per game. She ranked first in the Big 12 in free throw percentage (.814) and seventh in 3-point shooting percentage (.341), and led the team in assists (107). She finished her Baylor career as the all-time assists leader, with 493.
Honors: She earned All-Big 12 First Team honors, was a 2008 Wooden Award finalist, a finalist for the State Farm All-America Team, and an honorable mention for the AP All-America team. Tisdale led the Lady Bears to a 25-7 record and a fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance this year.