University of Connecticut stars Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Asjha Jones and Tamika Williams, straight from the 2002 NCAA Women's Championship, along with other potential first-rounders, will join host Matt Devlin in studio for the 2002 WNBA Draft on Friday, April 19 at 11:30 a.m. ET. Originating from the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, NJ, Devlin will lead ESPN women's basketball analysts Ann Meyers, Doris Burke and Vera Jones in an in-depth look and discussion about this year's talent in the WNBA Draft.

The telecast marks the second time the event will be broadcast live on national television, with round one airing on ESPN2 and rounds one through four airing on NBA TV, the 24-hour television network of the NBA and WNBA.

Ann Meyers on the 2002 Draft

"You have to start with the four seniors at Connecticut. Some people say they could go 1-2-3-4, or at least in the top six. Asjha Jones will be the steal. She's a banger and can shoot the three. Most coaches are looking for centers and point guards. Centers who can shoot outside and players who can run an offense are the rarest commodity. Overall, the incoming talent level gets deeper every year, but playing time will be tough for many because the current WNBA players keep improving."

The draft will highlight a new and exciting talent pool hoping to enter the best women's basketball league in the world. The one-hour ESPN2 telecast will feature live interviews with key coaches and players including Connecticut players and head coach Geno Auriemma, Tennessee head coach and Washington Mystics consultant Pat Summitt, Oklahoma guard Stacey Dales-Schuman -- who was married on April 13 -- and others.

The NBA TV telecast will also feature interviews with special guests, including college head coaches, several of the top draftees and WNBA head coaches from around the country like Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor and Indiana Fever coach Nell Fortner.

Devlin, an ESPN NCAA basketball play-by-play commentator, is also a commentator for the Memphis Grizzlies. Hall of Famer Meyers, in addition to working on NCAA women's basketball for ESPN, has been part of NBC's WNBA coverage since the league's 1997 debut. Burke, who has covered New York Liberty games for MSG Network, and Jones are both ESPN analysts on the WNBA and NCAA women's basketball.

Probable first-round selections who will be in attendance include:
Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tamika Williams and Asjha Jones (University of Connecticut)
Stacey Dales-Schuman (University of Oklahoma)
Sheila Lambert (Baylor University)
Michelle Snow (University of Tennessee)
Nikki Teasley (University of North Carolina)
Zuzana Klimesova (Vanderbilt)
Lindsey Yamasaki (Stanford)
Shaunzinski Gortman (South Carolina)
Linda Fröhlich (UNLV)

Stiles

Hamchétou Maïga (Old Dominion)

WNBA.com will also give fans a chance to be a part of the Draft with exclusive 2002 Draft Day coverage featuring a live cybercast through all four rounds. The cybercast will feature commentary from 2001 WNBA Rookie of the Year Jackie Stiles of the Portland Fire and live chats with top draftees, including the number one overall pick.