Lynx Select LSUs Seimone Augustus with the First Overall Pick of the 2006 WNBA Draft
The Minnesota Lynx today selected Louisiana State University guard Seimone Augustus, the 2006 AP Player of the Year, with the first overall pick of the 2006 WNBA Draft.
Additionally, the Lynx selected Utah guard Shona Thorburn with the seventh overall selection (first round) and guard Megan Duffy of Notre Dame in the third round (31st overall). Also, the Lynx acquired forward Ambrosia Anderson of Brigham Young University (17th overall selection) and a 2007 second-round draft pick from the Detroit Shock for forward Jacqueline Batteast and a 2007 third-round draft pick.
"We are thrilled to have drafted Seimone Augustus with the first pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft," said Lynx Chief Operating Officer Roger Griffith. "She was hands-down the best player in the draft, and we believe she has the ability to be one of the greatest players in the history of the women's game. Lynx fans and women's basketball fans throughout the state will really enjoy watching her at Target Center this summer and for many years to come."
Augustus, the NCAAs leading scorer during the 2005-06 season, averaged 22.7 ppg (.561 FG%), 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 35 games (all starts). Augustus won the Wade Trophy (best collegiate women's player) in both 2005 and 2006, becoming only the second player ever to win the award twice (Nancy Lieberman - 1979, 1980). The 6-1 guard scored in double figures in 132 of 140 career contests, and led LSU to Final Four appearances in each of her final three seasons. In her four-year career, she finished with averages of 19.3 ppg (.544 FG%), 5.2 rpg and 1.9 apg.
Augustus finished her collegiate career at LSU as the only player in school history to have at least 2,500 points, 600 rebounds and 250 assists. She also ranks among LSU's all-time leaders in the following categories: points (second, 2,702), field goal percentage (sixth, .544), free throw percentage (first, .857), field goals made (second, 1,128), field goals attempted (second, 2,083), free throws made (fourth, 401) and games started (first, 140). In the SEC, Augustus finished fifth all-time in career points, third all-time in career field goals made and fifth all-time in career field goals attempted.
Along with the Wade Trophy, Augustus has earned several other individual awards during her career, including AP Player of the Year (2006, 2005), AP All-America (2006, 2005), SEC Player of the Year (2006, 2005), Kodak All-America (2006, 2005, 2004) and All-SEC First Team (2006, 2005, 2004).
During the 2005-06 campaign, Thorburn finished second in the nation in assists with 7.1 apg, and averaged 11.9 points and 6.4 rebounds as she led Utah to the Elite Eight round of this years NCAA Tournament. The 5-10 guard was named All-MWC First Team and was an AP Honorable Mention All-American.
Thorburn posted averages of 13.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in her four-year collegiate career. As a junior, Thorburn was named Co-Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and named First Team All-MWC as she averaged 14.9 points and 6.5 assists. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Thorburn has played in 40 games for the Canadian National Team.
Duffy led the Fighting Irish this season in both scoring (15.6 ppg) and assists (4.1 apg). As a senior, the 5-7 guard from Dayton, Ohio, ranked first in the Big East in free throw percentage (.888 FT%), first in minutes (38.4 mpg), eighth in scoring (15.6 ppg), eighth in assists (4.1 apg), ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.72) and sixth in steals (1.97 spg). In four years at Notre Dame, Duffy averaged 10.2 ppg and 3.9 apg in 127 contests.
Anderson, a 6-1 forward, averaged 17.9 points (.413 FG%), 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32 games during the 2005-06 campaign. As a senior, she was named Co-Mountain West Player of the Year and First Team All-MWC after leading BYU in both scoring and rebounding. Her four-year career averages with the Cougars are 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 120 games.
WHAT THEY'VE SAID ABOUT SEIMONE AUGUSTUS THROUGH THE YEARS
"There are not enough adjectives to describe what she is. I just know she's great."
Joanne McCallie, Michigan State head coach
"Augustus can do all the flashy things that most superstars can, but she resorts to such moves sparingly. Her greatest strength is shooting. She's not content to settle for long jumpers and she has a silky midrange jumper that few players ever develop. She has honed an unblockable fade away jumper in countless games against men and few can match her post moves."
Johnette Howard, New York Newsday writer
"These days, No. 33 is worn by a silly, heady, multitasking junior forward who answers to Seimone, although, given her surname -- Augustus -- and the national acclaim she garners, the locals might be inclined to call her Caesar."
Dale Robertson, Houston Chronicle writer
"When she touches the ball, something special is going to happen and it may not be a shot. It may be the pass that sets up the pass. She's such a cerebral player. She knows when to take the shot, when to cut, not to follow the ball, because it will come back to here.
Pokey Chatman, LSU head coach
"She's the best player in the country, the total package."
Sharon Versyp, Indiana head coach
"It can be argued that Augustus plays the game more completely than anyone in college today, male or female."
Kelli Anderson, Sports Illustrated feature writer
"In my opinion, she (Seimone Augustus) is the best player in the country. I go back to the Cheryl Miller days, the Cynthia Cooper days. She is that kind of player."
Kim Mulkey-Robertson, Baylor head coach
"If your best player is your hardest working player it speaks volumes. She's always been one of those kids that got it done in every facet, not just in practice but in the weight room.
Pokey Chatman, LSU head coach
"That's the tag on Augustus these days: the next Taurasi, the next Beard. Or maybe she won't be the next anything. Maybe she'll be the first Seimone Augustus, the benchmark for the next future.
Greg Bishop, excerpt from The Seattle Times