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On This Date: WNBA Draft & Wooden Award Honor
4/9/2020 7:11:00 AM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C.-- Senior Chante Black became the sixth first round WNBA Draft selection from Duke University on April 9, 2009 at the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, N.J., as she was selected with the 10th overall pick by the Connecticut Sun.
Along with Black, Blue Devil senior Abby Waner was selected with the 21st overall pick in the second round by the New York Liberty. Black and Waner became the 12th and 13th Duke players to be taken in a WNBA Draft since 1999.
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 ranked as the fourth-highest single-season total in school history.
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 ranked 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.
Waner, who is a product of Highlands Ranch, Colo., concluded her collegiate career as one of the top three-point shooters in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history. A 5-11 guard, Waner registered 222 career treys over four years to rank 12th on the ACC charts and first in the Blue Devil history books. She became the first Duke player and eighth ACC player to register 45 or more three-pointers in four consecutive years.
Her 691 career three-pointers attempted ranked seventh in ACC history and first at Duke. Not only did Waner hit three-pointers, but she was a great all-around student-athlete as she became the fifth player in ACC history to notch over 1,400 points, 400 rebounds, 400 assists and 300 steals. Waner was also a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection.
A two-time Naismith National Player of the Year candidate, Waner received the 2009 Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship and was a finalist for the Lowe's Senior Class Award in 2009. She is a three-time All-ACC Tournament first team selection. As a senior, Waner averaged 9.7 points, 3.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 steals, while registering 55 three-pointers made.
WNBA Draft Quotes
Chante Black
"Knowing that you were invited to the draft; you are enraged with not anxiety but just emotions of just waiting to hear where you will be going. It is an exciting moment and I had the opportunity to have my mother come here and share this moment with me. So it is a good day."
What does it mean to you to be a first round pick in the WNBA Draft?
"It means a lot. You dream of this as a child so to come out and be noticed as being on top of this group. It is a great recognition; you cannot ask for more."
On Connecticut really wanting to draft her:
"Because of us being connected and familiar with them; I hoped they would [draft me]. It is a great experience that they did choose me."
On your progression during your college career:
"It is a great opportunity to look back and to show your progression has paid off, but I still have a lot of areas I want to improve on. Hopefully, I will keep improving and becoming the best player I can be."
Thoughts on Coach Thibault?
"I know he is going to want a lot from me. He doesn't expect less from anyone of his players so he is going to push me. I love coaches like that because they will make you the best player you can be. That is the type of coach he is; he is one of the best."
On being a defensive stopper?
"I have always wanted to be like Dennis Rodman growing up. He just loved to rebound, rebound and that is what I went into doing at a young age at boys camps. They were quicker, stronger so I was like hey I can grab some boards. So that is where that came from. My presence of being tall, shot blocking and rebounding."
Abby Waner
On the emotions of today:
"I stayed at home with my mom and sister today ? I didn't want to be anywhere else because I was so nervous. More than anything it's cool because you've played against some of these girls for eight years in high school, USA Basketball, and then in college and seen everyone's development and now you get to play together at the next level. It was fun today to watch the girls at the draft. I'm really proud of Chante [Black]. The first round was just fun to watch and soak it in, but when the second round rolled around the nerves started kicking in. It's funny, it's a different nervousness than in a game, because in a game you have the ball and you have the control to choose what happens, but today everything was in someone else's hands. There was a definite anxiety level there, but it's just incredible. When the announcers started to talk about me beforehand and then when they said my name, my family and I just started celebrating. It's great to have a fresh start and to be able to continue to play basketball. I'm really looking forward to it."
On what she is most excited about:
"I've always watched the WNBA. I think our age group of players is the age that really grew up with the WNBA. More than anything I'm looking forward to playing with that caliber of player, some of them I've idolized and watched and tried to model my game after."
On what she will take from Duke:
"What won't I take with me? Duke is fantastic. It's really a breeding ground for anything you want to do with your life. My sister went to Duke and just got into graduate school, and here I am using my experiences to go on and play professional basketball. You can take what Duke gave you and go in any direction. It's mostly about the relationships you make and what you learned from your teammates, coaches, doctors, friends, everyone."
#GoDuke
Smith Selected 27th Overall in 2008 WNBA Draft
DURHAM, N.C.-- Duke University senior Wanisha Smith became the 11th Blue Devil in school history to be selected in the WNBA Draft, which was held on April 9 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Smith, a native of Upper Marlboro, Md., was selected by the New York Liberty with the 13th pick in the second round. She was the overall 27th overall player drafted in 2008.
"It was so exciting and I don't even know how to put it into words," said Smith about hearing her name called in the WNBA Draft. "It is so good to be drafted. Now I don't to have to look for a team or try to go through a team's training camp. It is just so exciting. I am just ready to go and to start a new chapter in my life."
A four-year starter for the Blue Devils, Smith appeared in 135 career games for Duke while starting 119. The 5-11 guard concluded her career ranking fourth on the Blue Devil career charts with 496 assists, 14th on the all-time scoring list with 1,256 points, fourth with 119 starts and ninth with 336 three-point field goals attempted. She led Duke to the 2006 National Championship game, the 2005 NCAA Elite Eight and to the 2007 and 2008 NCAA Regionals, while winning 117 games.
Alana Beard Wins Inaugural John R. Wooden Award
By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer
MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (AP) - Duke's Alana Beard won the inaugural women's John R. Wooden Award given to college basketball's top college basketball player Friday - an honor her coach believes to be a perfect fit.
"It's been an honor, a pleasure and a privilege to be her coach," Gail Goestenkors said. "She's not only the best player we've ever had, she's probably the best person. She's left a great legacy for our program.
"She has always put her team first - always."
Beard, a three-time All-American, led the Blue Devils to a 30-4 record and the No. 1 ranking in the season's final Associated Press poll. The 5-foot-11 senior from Shreveport, La., previously was voted player of the year by the AP and won the Wade Trophy.
Beard, who averaged 19.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists, received the Wooden Award in a ceremony at the California Yacht Club.
"It's John Wooden, he's such an incredible person, he's a legend in our game," Beard said. "To be mentioned in the same breath as this man, I can't even put into words. To be the first woman to receive this award is so special to me."
With 2,700 points, Beard is the leading scorer in Duke basketball history - men or women. She's also the first player in NCAA men's or women's history to get more than 2,500 points and 400 steals.
"I don't want to leave. Duke is always going to have a special place in my heart," she said. "It's a sad thought, so I try not to think about it. I don't think I'd be the player and person I am if I didn't have Duke in my life.
"Duke has prepared me for what's to come, and I'm ready for it."
That would be a career in the WNBA, where Beard is expected to be one of the top players chosen in the April 17 draft.
"I can't wait; I'm so excited about it," Beard said. "It's a chance to step up my game and take it to another level. Hopefully I can continue to grow and progress."
Goestenkors predicts a very successful professional career for Beard.
"I think Alana is just now scratching the surface of her potential," Goestenkors said. "She's hungry to learn and anxious to continue to grow as a player."
Beard beat out Diana Taurasi, who led Connecticut to its third straight NCAA championship Tuesday night. Taurasi was the AP player of the year last season.
The Blue Devils' hopes for a national championship ended in the Mideast Regional final March 30 when they were upset by Minnesota.
Other finalists for the Wooden Award were Penn State's Kelly Mazzante, Stanford's Nicole Powell and Purdue's Shereka Wright. All attended Friday's ceremony except Taurasi.
A panel of more than 200 media and college basketball experts submitted their votes by March 29. Beard collected 519 points to 456 for Taurasi, 215 for Mazzante, 169 for Powell, and 97 for Wright.
The award is named for the former UCLA men's coach, who led the Bruins to 10 national titles in a span of 12 years before retiring in 1975.
The 93-year-old Wooden attended the ceremony.
"Better late than never," he said about a woman's award in his name.
Along with Black, Blue Devil senior Abby Waner was selected with the 21st overall pick in the second round by the New York Liberty. Black and Waner became the 12th and 13th Duke players to be taken in a WNBA Draft since 1999.
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 ranked as the fourth-highest single-season total in school history.
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 ranked 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.
Waner, who is a product of Highlands Ranch, Colo., concluded her collegiate career as one of the top three-point shooters in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history. A 5-11 guard, Waner registered 222 career treys over four years to rank 12th on the ACC charts and first in the Blue Devil history books. She became the first Duke player and eighth ACC player to register 45 or more three-pointers in four consecutive years.
Her 691 career three-pointers attempted ranked seventh in ACC history and first at Duke. Not only did Waner hit three-pointers, but she was a great all-around student-athlete as she became the fifth player in ACC history to notch over 1,400 points, 400 rebounds, 400 assists and 300 steals. Waner was also a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection.
A two-time Naismith National Player of the Year candidate, Waner received the 2009 Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship and was a finalist for the Lowe's Senior Class Award in 2009. She is a three-time All-ACC Tournament first team selection. As a senior, Waner averaged 9.7 points, 3.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 steals, while registering 55 three-pointers made.
WNBA Draft Quotes
Chante Black
"Knowing that you were invited to the draft; you are enraged with not anxiety but just emotions of just waiting to hear where you will be going. It is an exciting moment and I had the opportunity to have my mother come here and share this moment with me. So it is a good day."
What does it mean to you to be a first round pick in the WNBA Draft?
"It means a lot. You dream of this as a child so to come out and be noticed as being on top of this group. It is a great recognition; you cannot ask for more."
On Connecticut really wanting to draft her:
"Because of us being connected and familiar with them; I hoped they would [draft me]. It is a great experience that they did choose me."
On your progression during your college career:
"It is a great opportunity to look back and to show your progression has paid off, but I still have a lot of areas I want to improve on. Hopefully, I will keep improving and becoming the best player I can be."
Thoughts on Coach Thibault?
"I know he is going to want a lot from me. He doesn't expect less from anyone of his players so he is going to push me. I love coaches like that because they will make you the best player you can be. That is the type of coach he is; he is one of the best."
On being a defensive stopper?
"I have always wanted to be like Dennis Rodman growing up. He just loved to rebound, rebound and that is what I went into doing at a young age at boys camps. They were quicker, stronger so I was like hey I can grab some boards. So that is where that came from. My presence of being tall, shot blocking and rebounding."
Abby Waner
On the emotions of today:
"I stayed at home with my mom and sister today ? I didn't want to be anywhere else because I was so nervous. More than anything it's cool because you've played against some of these girls for eight years in high school, USA Basketball, and then in college and seen everyone's development and now you get to play together at the next level. It was fun today to watch the girls at the draft. I'm really proud of Chante [Black]. The first round was just fun to watch and soak it in, but when the second round rolled around the nerves started kicking in. It's funny, it's a different nervousness than in a game, because in a game you have the ball and you have the control to choose what happens, but today everything was in someone else's hands. There was a definite anxiety level there, but it's just incredible. When the announcers started to talk about me beforehand and then when they said my name, my family and I just started celebrating. It's great to have a fresh start and to be able to continue to play basketball. I'm really looking forward to it."
On what she is most excited about:
"I've always watched the WNBA. I think our age group of players is the age that really grew up with the WNBA. More than anything I'm looking forward to playing with that caliber of player, some of them I've idolized and watched and tried to model my game after."
On what she will take from Duke:
"What won't I take with me? Duke is fantastic. It's really a breeding ground for anything you want to do with your life. My sister went to Duke and just got into graduate school, and here I am using my experiences to go on and play professional basketball. You can take what Duke gave you and go in any direction. It's mostly about the relationships you make and what you learned from your teammates, coaches, doctors, friends, everyone."
#GoDuke
Smith Selected 27th Overall in 2008 WNBA Draft
DURHAM, N.C.-- Duke University senior Wanisha Smith became the 11th Blue Devil in school history to be selected in the WNBA Draft, which was held on April 9 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Smith, a native of Upper Marlboro, Md., was selected by the New York Liberty with the 13th pick in the second round. She was the overall 27th overall player drafted in 2008.
"It was so exciting and I don't even know how to put it into words," said Smith about hearing her name called in the WNBA Draft. "It is so good to be drafted. Now I don't to have to look for a team or try to go through a team's training camp. It is just so exciting. I am just ready to go and to start a new chapter in my life."
A four-year starter for the Blue Devils, Smith appeared in 135 career games for Duke while starting 119. The 5-11 guard concluded her career ranking fourth on the Blue Devil career charts with 496 assists, 14th on the all-time scoring list with 1,256 points, fourth with 119 starts and ninth with 336 three-point field goals attempted. She led Duke to the 2006 National Championship game, the 2005 NCAA Elite Eight and to the 2007 and 2008 NCAA Regionals, while winning 117 games.
Alana Beard Wins Inaugural John R. Wooden Award
By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer
MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (AP) - Duke's Alana Beard won the inaugural women's John R. Wooden Award given to college basketball's top college basketball player Friday - an honor her coach believes to be a perfect fit.
"It's been an honor, a pleasure and a privilege to be her coach," Gail Goestenkors said. "She's not only the best player we've ever had, she's probably the best person. She's left a great legacy for our program.
"She has always put her team first - always."
Beard, a three-time All-American, led the Blue Devils to a 30-4 record and the No. 1 ranking in the season's final Associated Press poll. The 5-foot-11 senior from Shreveport, La., previously was voted player of the year by the AP and won the Wade Trophy.
Beard, who averaged 19.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists, received the Wooden Award in a ceremony at the California Yacht Club.
"It's John Wooden, he's such an incredible person, he's a legend in our game," Beard said. "To be mentioned in the same breath as this man, I can't even put into words. To be the first woman to receive this award is so special to me."
With 2,700 points, Beard is the leading scorer in Duke basketball history - men or women. She's also the first player in NCAA men's or women's history to get more than 2,500 points and 400 steals.
"I don't want to leave. Duke is always going to have a special place in my heart," she said. "It's a sad thought, so I try not to think about it. I don't think I'd be the player and person I am if I didn't have Duke in my life.
"Duke has prepared me for what's to come, and I'm ready for it."
That would be a career in the WNBA, where Beard is expected to be one of the top players chosen in the April 17 draft.
"I can't wait; I'm so excited about it," Beard said. "It's a chance to step up my game and take it to another level. Hopefully I can continue to grow and progress."
Goestenkors predicts a very successful professional career for Beard.
"I think Alana is just now scratching the surface of her potential," Goestenkors said. "She's hungry to learn and anxious to continue to grow as a player."
Beard beat out Diana Taurasi, who led Connecticut to its third straight NCAA championship Tuesday night. Taurasi was the AP player of the year last season.
The Blue Devils' hopes for a national championship ended in the Mideast Regional final March 30 when they were upset by Minnesota.
Other finalists for the Wooden Award were Penn State's Kelly Mazzante, Stanford's Nicole Powell and Purdue's Shereka Wright. All attended Friday's ceremony except Taurasi.
A panel of more than 200 media and college basketball experts submitted their votes by March 29. Beard collected 519 points to 456 for Taurasi, 215 for Mazzante, 169 for Powell, and 97 for Wright.
The award is named for the former UCLA men's coach, who led the Bruins to 10 national titles in a span of 12 years before retiring in 1975.
The 93-year-old Wooden attended the ceremony.
"Better late than never," he said about a woman's award in his name.
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