Mystics Select Coleman (Updated)
The Washington Mystics selected Maryland forward Marissa Coleman with the No. 2 pick in today's WNBA draft, and Terrapins teammate Kristi Toliver was selected next by Chicago.
The Atlanta Dream took Angel McCoughtry of Louisville with the first pick.
Katie Carrera will update with quotes from the Mystics picks later this afternoon.
From a Mystics press release:
"We are excited to add a standout player like Marissa Coleman to the Washington Mystics roster with the second overall pick. Marissa was an integral part of building a championship program at Maryland and has consistently demonstrated an ability to elevate her game at crucial times during the course of a game," said Mystics Vice President and General Manager, Angela Taylor. "Her size, versatility, and ability to score from anywhere on the floor makes her a very special player. Her competitiveness, work ethic, and passion for winning have made her a champion. All of which will certainly will be great complements to the players we have on our roster."
Coleman, a 6-1 Guard/Forward from the University of Maryland is one of the most prolific scorers in this year's draft. In 2009, she was named the ACC tournament's Most Valuable Player and earn a spot on the All-ACC First team for leading Maryland to its first ACC title since 1989. She was recently named to the State Farm All-America team and the Associated Press All-American team. This past year, Coleman averaged 18.1 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. She is the first player in the ACC to record over 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals and 100 blocks.
Coleman earned numerous honors during her four years at Maryland. In 2006, she was named the ACC Rookie of the Year and made the All-ACC tournament first team. She has been a Wooden Award Preseason Candidate in 2006 and 2008. Coleman was named Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention in 2007 and 2008. She also was on the ACC second team from 2006-2008.
By
Alexa Steele
|
April 9, 2009; 3:59 PM ET
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Posted by: dkidwell61 | April 9, 2009 4:44 PM | Report abuse
dkidwell61
Shut up already. Not another know it all poster who thinks they know more about how to do others jobs than they do yet they are probably not even the best employee at their own place of employment. Typical DC sports fan reaction. What center should they have drafted and why? You failed to mention that. Probably because you dont know. You just know how to trash other peoples decisions.
Posted by: ged0386 | April 9, 2009 4:52 PM | Report abuse
Every time that I see your name in print or picture in the paper's, I am so proud of you.
Uncle Sugar
Posted by: onesugar1 | April 9, 2009 5:11 PM | Report abuse
Courtney Paris.
Posted by: EmmPee | April 9, 2009 5:14 PM | Report abuse
Congratulations to two young women who have represented MD with pride, integrity, and honor over the past four years. Marissa Coleman is a one of a kind player with tremendous upside to her game. What she did in not allowing her team to lose during the Sweet 16 was absolutely remarkable. Kristi Tolliver is a monster when it comes to shooting and "The Shot" will live on in MD history forever. The fact that it happened against Duke makes it even all the sweeter. Congratualations ladies and I wish you the best. I know Brenda is going to have a hard time filling your shoes.
Posted by: terptilldeath | April 9, 2009 5:26 PM | Report abuse
This was honestly a good pick! You got a player who has the ability to get better (which is a scary thought) and her will to win really is not matched by anybody but maybe R. Montgomery. To me Chasity still has 3 or 4 good seasons in her and bringing Sanford off the bench is just a good move cause she is a great shot of energy in the arm. This will also allow her to see what is going on and come in calmed down!
I think this serves as a warning notice to Mo. Currie to that if she does not step up she is definetly on the trading block! Having alot of potential isnt worth much if your not going to be aggressive and use it!
Her versatility speaks volumes because she can play the 1 thru the 4 (very Diana Taurasi like) just has to develop that killer instinct all the time. I really like her cause I dont think she is going to take it easy on the VETS!!!! She is going to kick their butts and make them work! I predict she is in the starting line-up by the time the season ends and Mo. Currie is the sixth woman of the year off the bench!
Posted by: SkinzFan4lyfe | April 9, 2009 5:33 PM | Report abuse
The Styx have enough guards. Any knucklehead can score. But as Charles Barkley said, "Can you rebound?"
Coleman is the obvious pick.
Posted by: bs2004 | April 9, 2009 5:33 PM | Report abuse
Is this a professional team? What sport is it for? Women's basketball? Never heard of it lol!
Posted by: ai3di | April 9, 2009 5:37 PM | Report abuse
Courtney Paris.
Posted by: EmmPee | April 9, 2009 5:14 PM
Courtney Paris has conditioning issues, which is why she slid down to seventh. If you had watched her during the NCAA tournament, she had problems getting up court, keeping up with her teammates. The Mystics did just fine at #2 with Marissa.
Oh, and ai3di, you've obviously heard of it, given that you took the time to read the story, then comment on it.
Posted by: stwasm | April 9, 2009 6:00 PM | Report abuse
The local girl gets to stay at home. Awesome. Too bad we couldn't have gotten Kristi as well, but them the breaks. The Mystics certainly have a local draw now between Crystal and Marissa. Hopefully they can pull up at little of that Terp magic to.
Posted by: kpemc | April 9, 2009 6:07 PM | Report abuse
The Mystics made a great pick with Marissa Coleman. They selected a 6-4 in the second, they have Melvin and Sanford. They picked the best player at that spot which was Coleman. I love Courtney, but she needs to get in better shape. I hope Currie step up her game or she will be gone.
Posted by: rashadmail@att.net | April 9, 2009 7:57 PM | Report abuse
Thank God Atlanta passed Coleman. We truly got lucky. She's going to be a superstar for the Mystics. I've got more information on Mystics 2nd round draft picks, Camille LeNoir and Jelena Milovanovic, and 3rd round pick, Josephine Owino. Just copy and paste in your browser to view their profiles.
Camille LeNoir -
http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/lenoir_camille01.html
Jelena Milovanovic -
http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.teamID_2405.compID_jr6ZiXqeGhMBtfq1yxqV83.season_2009.roundID_6475.playerID_48837.html
Josephine Owino -
http://www.uu.edu/athletics/info/players/player.cfm?ID=254
Posted by: RedCherokee | April 9, 2009 8:08 PM | Report abuse
I am ecstatic that the Mystics picked Marissa! Excellent choice. She will be an immediate contributor, and may even push Mo out of the starting lineup. Given Mo's lack of production, that might be a good thing for the team and the fans.
I'm also very proud of KT! Chicago made a great choice and she'll be an excellent complement to Dupree and Fowles.
Best of luck to them both! I look forward to watching them play this summer.
Posted by: krae-kartoons | April 9, 2009 8:41 PM | Report abuse
I'm happy for her, I'm happy for the Mystics, I'm happy for DC. But it would be so nice if just one of these draft pick articles would say something about the person's college major and upcoming graduation!
Posted by: Three3 | April 9, 2009 8:56 PM | Report abuse
This pick is horrible!!!!!!! Get over it all you University of Maryland fans!!!!! This franchise has been starving for a point guard. How the heck you let Reene Montgomery slip!!!!! A proven champion The Mystics fail miserably. Reene should have been the first pick!!!! Her leadership, speed, Discipline, incredile ability is unquestioned!!!! This franchise deserves to fail miserably year after year. The same Mystics who let Asia Jones go......what MORONS!
Posted by: sjbrjm22315 | April 9, 2009 9:09 PM | Report abuse
This was the perfect pick; I don't know what 'poser' mentioned we needed a center, but either that idiot can't read (Y'know where the Mystics resigned Chastity Melvin, who was our best center since Vicky Bullett), or that person has no clue what ther're talking about. Between Chastity, Nakia, Langhorne and Tasha Humphrey, I'd say the '5' spot is looking almost as good as the PG! Marissa Coleman was the classic 'no-brainer' at #2. Not since Alana and Holdsclaw has there been a more clear cut choice. Great job this off-season, Ms.Taylor! I'm liking you already. Oh, and rest assured, haters; the 'Stics fans will be in full-throat, (and in attendance) this season!!
Posted by: guisher | April 9, 2009 9:22 PM | Report abuse
sjbrjm:
They have a good point-guard combo with Lindsey Harding and Matee Ajavon. Plus, they needed more help inside than at the perimeter. This was a good pick.
Posted by: stwasm | April 9, 2009 9:22 PM | Report abuse
Hmm, sjbrjm22315 obviously doesn't know squat about WNBA hoops, or that person would know that Linday Harding was the first overall pick in '07 as a (wait for it) Point Guard; also Matee Ajavon, even a casual basketball fan would know that she was the BEST PG/SG to come out of school in last years draft (next to Wiggins at the 2 guard spot). Doesn't pay to cast aspersions when you have no clue what you're talking about. This GM is pretty darn good -- she knows talent and she makes intelligent moves. I can't wait for the season to start -- Go 'Stics!!!
Posted by: guisher | April 9, 2009 9:35 PM | Report abuse
Oh yeah, since I forgot to mention it before -- the ONLY reason Ashja Jones is still in this league and doing well is because the 'Stics traded her butt when she was laying around being lazy (just like when the Wizards traded Ben Wallace); that trade saved Ashja's career! She lost weight and re-dedicated herself to basketball,remebered she was a champ, and never looked back. Hopefully something equally as compelling will happen to poor Mo. Curry if/when Marissa takes her roster spot. I love Mo. (she is my home-girl), but her confidence is GONE! She needs a wake up call and I think the phone is ringing (it's for you, Mo; I think she said her name was 'Marissa' -- your in her spot!!)
Posted by: guisher | April 9, 2009 9:43 PM | Report abuse
People asking for Courtney Paris or Kristi Toliver obviously dont know that philosophy of the Mystics this upcoming season. On offense, they want to push the ball and defensively, they want to get up and guard people.
Courtney Paris definetely does not fit this style of play. They have the 5's needed for this style offensively and defensively.
Kristi Toliver would have been good for hometown reasons, but thats it. You need a '1' that is going to distribute in this system and that isnt Toliver.
And for those asking for Renee Montgomery, we have a less cuter version named Lindsey Harding.
Posted by: vwilli1 | April 10, 2009 10:55 AM | Report abuse
That's some cogent analysis, vwilli1; I was with you all the way up to the point where you said we have a 'less-cuter' version of Renee Montgomery in Lindsey? Not that it matters, but uh, have you seen this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMUQUtx4VNQ
I'm sorry to disagree,(and not that it matters) but Lindsey is GORGEOUS!
Posted by: guisher | April 10, 2009 12:11 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Once again the Mystakes show why they are perennial losers!! Nothing against Coleman, who is a wonderful player, but when your issues "center" around a lack of inside play, picking up a shooting forward makes no sense at all. Face it, this has much more to do with a local player being picked than addressing the teams true need!!