April 12, 2016
COLUMBIA, S.C. ââ’¬” South Carolina senior Tiffany Mitchell is among 12 prospects invited to attend the WNBA Draft 2016 presented by State Farm on Thu., April 14, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. ESPN2 will televise the first round beginning at 7 p.m. ET, and ESPNU will air the second and third rounds starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Mitchell was a three-time All-American for the Gamecocks, finishing her career ranked fifth in program history with 1,885 points and second in both 3-point field goal percentage (.399) and free throw percentage (.773). She was twice named SEC Player of the Year (2014, 2015) and is the program’s second three-time First-Team All-SEC selection. Claiming a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team this season, Mitchell will graduate in May with her degree in retail management. On the court, she ranked among the league’s top 11 in five different categories during conference play ââ’¬” fifth in scoring (15.6) ppg, second in free throw percentage (.833), sixth in 3-pointers made per game (1.7), eighth in steals (1.9) and 11th in assists (2.8). One of three league players to appear in the top 11 in scoring, assists and steals, she is the only one of the group to add 3-point shooting status to her diverse skill set.
Other attendees will be guards Rachel Banham (Minnesota), Moriah Jefferson (UConn), Courtney Walker (Texas A&M) and Courtney Williams (South Florida); forwards Kahleah Cooper (Rutgers), Jonquel Jones (George Washington), Aerial Powers (Michigan State), Breanna Stewart (UConn), Morgan Tuck (UConn) and Talia Walton (Washington); and center Imani Boyette (Texas).
The Seattle Storm holds the top pick in the draft for the second-consecutive year and the fourth time in franchise history after winning the WNBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm. The rest of the top five includes the San Antonio Stars (second pick), two selections for the Connecticut Sun (its own No. 3 pick and a pick acquired from the Atlanta Dream at No. 4) and the Dallas Wings (fifth pick).
The draft, hosted by Mohegan Sun Arena for the third year in a row, is open to the public. Sun season-ticket holders will be admitted free of charge and have access to priority seating as well as a special opportunity to meet the Sun’s draft picks in attendance. Fans who are not season-ticket holders will be admitted with the donation of a canned food item at the door, which will benefit the New London Community Meal Center.
