By Charles Hallman
Staff Writer
and Onika Nicole Craven
MSR Intern
Two former Twin Cities prep stars were the only Minnesotans selected in Monday’s WNBA Draft. Angel Robinson (St. Paul Central) was the 22nd overall pick by New York but was later traded to Minnesota in one of two “pre-arranged trade deals” completed by the local WNBA club. Kachine Alexander (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) was selected by the Lynx with their final draft pick, 26th overall.
The two women were among 24 Blacks chosen in the 36-player draft. Robinson and Alexander are “two talented Minnesota players,” said Minnesota Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve. Both spoke to the MSR by phone after they were selected.
“Having your name called is exciting, period,” said the 5’-9” Alexander, a three-time All-Big Ten selection at Iowa. “But it being your hometown team is exciting. I dropped my phone, I was so excited, and I didn’t know what to do or how to act.”
Added the 5’-8” Robinson, a four-time All-Big East performer at Marquette, “I was in a daze when I heard my name called.”
Even back in high school, Alexander told anyone who would listen that one day she could be a pro basketball player. “I told my high school coach that I was going to the WNBA, and some thought I was crazy at that point,” she recalled.
“When I came here to Iowa for my official visit, after I saw a plaque of WNBA members who used toplay at Iowa, I told my coach that I would be right there,” Alexander said. “They probably thought I was crazy, too. The hard work over the years has paid off.”
Robinson also foresaw herself as a pro, even seeing herself in a Lynx uniform, she admitted. “I kind of had a feeling that if I would get drafted, I for some reason would be playing back home. It’s funny and shocking right now.”
Told that she and Robinson were the only locals selected, Alexander said, “We played against each other in high school and AAU, so it is going to be fun to be on the same team. I’m really excited about that.”
Reeve admits that both Alexander and Robinson are not locks to make the final 11-person roster when the 2011 season begins in June.
“It will be a competitive training camp, but I love to compete, so it is going to be fun,” said Alexander, who will have to miss the start of training camp on May 15 with a really good excuse: She will be graduating from Iowa with a degree in interdepartmental recreation management. “I’d like to be a Division I coach later in life,” she said proudly.
“My hard work ethic and whatever they want me to do, that is what I am going to do,” noted Robinson, who also expects to graduate from Marquette next month. “I will be walking down this spring, and that is going to be really exciting for my family to witness.”
WNBA Draft notes
Basketball Operations and Player Relations Chief Renee Brown presided over Monday’s draft and announced all 36 picks for the first time in league history. She is the WNBA’s second in command and the highest ranking Black woman in pro sports.
Lynx Executive Vice President Roger Griffith explained the team’s draft day deals that sent away their two second-round picks (Jessica Breland to New York for Robinson, and Felicia Chester to Atlanta for Australian native Rachel Jarry, who is not expected to report to camp and the Dream’s 2012 second round pick). “Those trades were agreed to when the last two picks of the first round were being made,” he pointed out.
Gopher notes
Minnesota is among several schools Cretin-Derham Hall junior defensive tackle/nose tackle Jonathan Harden is looking at attending after he graduates in 2012, according to him and his family.
Along with the U of M, the Hardens recently have unofficially visited Michigan State, North Dakota, North Dakota State and Toledo. “The goal right now is to visit schools and talk to the coaches,” says Jonathan’s mother, Kecia Harden. “I am a parent, and I like to talk to other parents and visit the area where these schools are.”
His father, Nate Harden, adds, “Jonathan is pretty excited about it.”
“April 14th is the big day for juniors when colleges can start calling you [officially],” said Jonathan as he watched the Gophers football team from the sidelines during a spring scrimmage last Saturday. “I’m pretty excited and looking forward for schools to start contacting me.”
Gopher junior Kiara Buford was among 73 winter sports student-athletes who earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition. Buford was one of seven women’s basketball players to receive the honors among 55 overall.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
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