WNBA DRAFT

Bristol, Conn: Stanford player Nnemkadi Ogwumike has been chosen with the first round in the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday.
Ogwumike helped the Cardinal to secure a slot in the Final Four during all four of her seasons at the school, including this year's loss to the champion Baylor. The 6-foot-2 forward, who averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds this last season, is the first Stanford player to be chosen with the No. 1 pick. Previously three Cardinal players have been selected third overall.
Despite finishing with the fourth worst record in the league at 15-19, the Sparks won the draft lottery in November. They had the smallest chance — 10 percent — of the four eligible teams.
Los Angeles also had the top pick in 2008 and selected Tennessee star Candace Parker, who went on to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in her first professional season.
Tennessee guard Shekinna Stricklen went second to the Seattle Storm, who will be without star Lauren Jackson for the first part of the season because she will stay in Australia to train for the Olympics.
By May 18, the WNBA will start its season while the camps will be open for training by April 29.