New York, March 26, 2007 -- The 2007 WNBA Draft presented by adidas and sponsored in part by Spalding, will take place in Cleveland on Wednesday, April 4, capping off a week-long celebration of events surrounding women's basketball. The Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland's Public Square will host the Draft, which will begin at 1 p.m. ET and be televised live on ESPN2, ESPNU and NBA TV.
Earlier that week, the NCAA Women's Final Four and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Convention will also take place in Cleveland.
In addition to the Draft, the WNBA will host and participate in the following events throughout the week.
Friday, March 30, 2007
10:30am: WNBA Cares Hospital Visit
Current WNBA stars will visit with young patients and distribute gifts at the
Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.
Participants:
Katie Smith - Ohio native, guard for the 2006 WNBA Champion Detroit Shock, and
member of WNBA All-Decade Team
Tamika Williams - Ohio State Women's Basketball Assistant Coach and forward
for the Minnesota Lynx
Sophia Young - WNBA All-Star and forward for the San Antonio Silver Stars
Location: Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital
11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, 44106
8:30am - 11:30am: 2007 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp - Session One*
The WNBA Pre-Draft Camp will offer WNBA coaches and general managers an opportunity
to evaluate the skills of approximately 40 top global prospects. Players will
participate in on-court sessions and compete against one another in hopes of
improving their draft status.
*All sessions will be closed to the public, but open to credentialed media
for the final 30 minutes.
Location: Cleveland State University
Woodling Gym
11:30am - 12:00pm: 2007 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp Media Availability
Players and team representatives will be available for interviews. This event
is open to credentialed media only.
Location: Cleveland State University
Woodling Gym
6:30pm - 9:00pm: 2007 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp - Session Two*
*All sessions will be closed to the public, but open to credentialed media
for the final 30 minutes.
Location: Cleveland State University
Woodling Gym
8:00pm - 11:00pm: Title IX Hoopla
WNBA President Donna Orender will join Billie Jean King and USA Today columnist
Christine Brennan to participate in a multi-media showcase of women's sports
advocates, historians, and trailblazers.
Location: Tower City Center
Skylight Concourse
Saturday, March 31, 2007
8:00am - 11:00am: 2007 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp - Session Three*
*All sessions will be closed to the public, but open to credentialed media
for the final 30 minutes.
Location: Cleveland State University
Woodling Gym
9:00pm - 12:00am: WNBA & WBCA Party*
The WNBA will host an annual celebration in honor of the WBCA and their dedication
to women's basketball.
*This event is by Invitation Only.
Location: Cleveland Convention Center
Public Hall
Sunday, April 1, 2007
7:00pm & 9:30pm: NCAA Women's National Semifinals
Location: Quicken Loans Arena
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
8:30pm: NCAA Women's Final Four Championship Game
Location: Quicken Loans Arena
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
1:00pm: 2007 WNBA Draft
Top prospects from across the nation will be in attendance at the Draft. The
WNBA will also be inviting youth league and high school basketball players from
the Cleveland region to the event as guests.
* This event is open to credentialed media.
Location: Renaissance Hotel
Grand Ballroom