Duke's Black Has Been Invited To The 2009 WNBA Draft

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DURHAM, N.C. ? Coming off earning USBWA and Associated Press All-America honors this week, Duke University senior Chante Black has been invited to the 2009 WNBA Draft, which is presented by adidas on Thursday, April 9 at the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, N.J.

Black is one of 15 players invited to the 2009 draft -- DeWanna Bonner (Auburn), Marissa Coleman (Maryland), Briann January (Arizona State), Lyndra Littles (Virginia), Rashanda McCants (North Carolina), Angel McCoughtry (Louisville), Renee Montgomery (UConn), Ashley Paris (Oklahoma), Courtney Paris (Oklahoma), Kristi Toliver (Maryland), Kia Vaughn (Rutgers), Ashley Walker (California), Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue) and Shavonte Zellous (Pittsburgh).

Black and the sixth-ranked Blue Devils registered a 27-6 overall record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, after earning a No. 1 overall seed in the Berkeley Region. A product of Winston-Salem, N.C., Black finished the year averaging 14.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals. She grabbed 278 rebounds during her senior year, which ranks as the fourth-highest single-season total in school history.

ESPN2 will provide live coverage and analysis of the first round of the draft beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET while ESPNU and NBA TV will broadcast the second and third rounds. In addition, WNBA.com will cover all three rounds, providing complete analysis and comprehensive information on all 13 teams' selections.

In 2008-09, Black was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year as she established Duke as one of the most dominating defenses in the nation. The 6-5 center collected 10 double-doubles and became only the third player in ACC history to notch over 1,400 points, 900 rebounds and 250 blocked shots. Black ranks 10th in the ACC in scoring, sixth in rebounding, ninth in field goal percentage (48.6), 15th in free throw percentage (72.5) and third in blocked shots.

In her four years at Duke, Black totaled 1,438 points to rank eighth, 995 rebounds to rank second, 261 blocks to rank second, 565 field goals made to rank eighth, 308 free throws made to rank seventh and 451 free throws attempted to rank eighth on the Duke charts. Her 995 rebounds also placed 19th on the ACC career lists, while her 261 blocks was sixth.

Black is also a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award and the State Farm All-America team, while also being named USBWA All-America, first team third team Associated Press All-America, All-ACC, All-ACC Defensive team, and a midseason candidate for the Naismith Award.

Duke has had 11 players selected in the WNBA Draft in school history -- Lindsey Harding (Phoenix Mercury, No. 1 overall pick in 2007), Alana Beard (Washington Mystics, No. 2 overall pick in 2004), Monique Currie (Charlotte Sting, No. 3 overall pick in 2006), Alison Bales (Indiana Fever, No. 9 overall pick in 2007), Iciss Tillis (Detroit Shock, No. 11 overall pick in 2004), Michele Van Gorp (New York Liberty, No. 18 overall pick), Georgia Schweitzer (Miami Sol, No. 21 overall pick in 2001), Mistie Williams (Phoenix Mercury, No. 21 overall pick in 2006), Wanisha Smith (New York Liberty, No. 27 overall pick in 2008), Jessica Foley (Indiana Fever, No. 38 overall pick in 2006) and Peppi Browne (Charlotte Sting, No. 43 overall pick in 2000).

Other Duke seniors -- Abby Waner and Carrem Gay -- are also hoping to be drafted by the WNBA and pursue a professional basketball career.

About the WNBA
The WNBA is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement and diversity. Comprised of 13 teams, the WNBA is the most successful women's professional team sports league in the world. The league concluded its historic 12th regular season with increases in attendance, ratings, Web traffic and merchandise sales. The 2009 WNBA season will tip off June 6 on ABC.

Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women's health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education. For more information on the WNBA, log on to www.wnba.com.

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