Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus UCLA on March 29, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 70
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Cheek Drafted by Indiana Fever; Black Traded to Tulsa
4/8/2010 7:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SECAUCUS, N.J. - Duke University senior Joy Cheek became the 14th Duke player in school history to be drafted in the 2010 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft on Thursday as she was taken in the third round by the Indiana Fever.
Cheek, who is a native of Charlotte, N.C., was picked with the 35th overall selection in the draft, which took place at the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, N.J. The 6-1 forward guided Duke to its sixth overall ACC Championship, ninth ACC Regular Season title and helped lead the Blue Devils (30-6) to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2009-10.
"I am really excited," said Cheek. "It is a dream come true. It really shows all the work I have put in since I have been playing basketball. It shows you can reach your goals -- nothing is out of reach. I am so excited to be drafted, get started and try to make the team."
On the season, Cheek averaged 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists as she started all 36 contests for the Blue Devils. She was named to the Memphis Regional All-Tournament team, All-ACC Tournament First Team, All-ACC Third Team and was a finalist for the Lowe's Senior Class Award.'
"It is hard to even describe to be drafted," commented Cheek. "Especially, to be a girl like me who went to every Charlotte Sting game and when the Mystics came to Washington D.C., we were season ticket holders. I still have newspaper clippings when the Mystics first arrived and when the first WNBA All-Star took place. I grew up wanting to support the WNBA because I wanted it to one day be around for me to be a part of."
Cheek finished her career with 679 rebounds, which ranks 12th all-time on Duke's charts, while her 137 career games played ranks tied for fifth. She became the 25th player in Blue Devil history to reach the 1,000 career points mark as a senior and concluded her four-year stint at Duke with 1,148 points.
Former Duke center Chante Black was also traded on Thursday from the Connecticut Sun to the Tulsa Shock for a 2010 first round choice and a 2011 second round pick. Black, a first-round pick last year, averaged 2.9 points in 33 games as a rookie in 2009.
Duke has had 14 players selected in the WNBA Draft in school history -- Chante Black (Connecticut Sun, No. 10 in 2009), Abby Waner (New York Liberty, No. 21 in 2009), 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), Chante Black (Connecticut Sun, No. 10 overall pick in 2009), Iciss Tillis (Detroit Shock, No. 11 overall pick in 2004), Michele Van Gorp (New York Liberty, No. 18 overall pick in 1999), Georgia Schweitzer (Miami Sol, No. 21 overall pick in 2001), Mistie Williams (Phoenix Mercury, No. 21 overall pick in 2006), Abby Waner (New York Liberty, No. 21), 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).
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