Mystics Select Jacinta Monroe

The Washington Mystics selected Jacinta Monroe in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2010 WNBA Draft.

A 6-5 post player from Florida State, Monroe has been instrumental in the Seminoles’ recent success in the last few years. This past season she averaged 13.2 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game while leading her team back to the NCAA tournament. During the 2008-2009 season, Monroe broke the blocking record previously set by Brooke Wyckoff of the Chicago Sky and is FSU’s current leader in blocks with 289. She was named the 2006 Gatorade Florida Girls' Basketball Player of the Year

Monroe has earned numerous accolades during her collegiate career. She was recently named to the All-ACC first team and has received All-ACC second team honors and defensive team in 2009.

Washington selected 6-3 center Jenna Smith from the University of Illinois with the 14th pick (second round). She was named to the Coaches and media All-Big Ten First team in 2008 and 2009 and earned AP All-America Honorable mention in 2008. Smith averaged 18.1 points per game and 11.26 rebounds per game during the 2009-2010 season.

The Mystics had two picks in the second round and with the 18th pick selected forward Shavania Dowdell from Louisiana Tech. Dowdell was named the 2009 and 2010 WAC Player of the Year. She also earned All WAC First team in 2009 and 2010 as well WAC All defensive team. Dowdell help lead her team back to the NCAA tournament with a season performance of 17.6 points per game and 12.45 rebounds per game.

In the third round (30th overall) of the 2010 WNBA draft, Washington selected guard Alexis Gray-Lawson from the University of California-Berkeley. She was named to the All-Pac 10 First team in 2009 and 2010 as well as the Pac-10 Defensive team. Gray-Lawson recorded 17.5 points per game, 5.45 rebounds per game and 1.74 assists per game.

"After an extremely long off-season, today was an exciting “start” to the 2010 WNBA season. We added four very talented players to our roster and almost as importantly, we added four young women who bring a winning mentality and a strong work ethic to DC," Vice President and General Manager, Angela Taylor stated. " Each is so excited about whatever they can do to help us bring home a WNBA Championship. Now it’s on to training camp!!!"

The highly ranked Tina Charles went to the Connecticut Sun in the first pick of the draft.

The Chicago Sky selected former Rutgers star Epiphanny Prince with the fourth pick, and the San Antonio Silver Stars chose Stanford’s Jayne Appel to round out the first five selections.

Other top WNBA draft picks include Monica Wright, and Kelsey Griffin were selected with the first three picks of the 2010 WNBA Draft presented by adidas. Both players were selected by the Minnesota Lynx.

The Mystics have also selected Louisiana Tech forward Shanavia Dowdell .

The Washington Mystics will tip off the 2010 season with a back to back on Saturday, May 15 on the road against the Eastern Conference Champions, Indiana Fever followed by a match up on Sunday, May 16 against the Minnesota Lynx. Washington will host the club’s home opener on Friday, May 21, against the New York Liberty.

Visit the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com for 2010 season info.

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