TULSA, OK. – The Tulsa Shock of the WNBA completed the first draft since the team’s move from Detroit. Thursday was the day all college seniors were waiting for, as WNBA teams met in Secaucus, NJ for the 14th draft. The Shock, however, did not wait until Thursday to make additions to their roster.
On Wednesday the team traded their first round pick (seventh overall) and 2011 second round pick to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for a pair of players. In return the Shock received 6-0 forward Amber Holt and 6-5 center Chante Black from the Sun. Holt, a Middle Tennessee State product, was the ninth overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft, while Black was the tenth overall pick in 2009 out of Duke.
“We got a tremendous deal with trading our first pick in this year’s draft and second round pick in next year’s draft to get two great quality players that will fit my system,” said Head Coach and General Manager Nolan Richardson. Holt averaged six points per game and was named to the 2008 WNBA All Rookie Team. Black averaged two points and over three rebounds per game last season.
With the first round pick officially off the board and in the hands of the Sun, the Shock concentrated on their remaining picks in the second (19th overall) and third (31st overall) rounds. The Shock selected University of Oklahoma product Amanda Thompson in the second round. Thompson, a 6-1 forward, averaged 13.2 points per game this past season, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors.
With their third round pick the Shock selected 6-0 forward Vivian Frieson from Gonzaga. Frieson averaged 12.5 points per game during the 2009-10 season. The Seattle, Washington native was selected to the All-West Coast Conference First Team in 2009 and 2010. Other players currently on the Shock’s roster include former Olympian Marion Jones and Cascia Hall product Iciss Tillis.
The Tulsa Shock’s regular season opener against the Minnesota Lynx is set for a 7 P.M. tip-off on May 15 at the BOK Center. Season tickets can be purchased by calling 599-WNBA. Single game tickets are also now available at the BOK Center box office, all Tulsa Reasors locations and online at www.bokcenter.com.