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2003 Probable Starters: |
C: |
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PF: |
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SF: |
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SG: |
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PG: |
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2003 Draft Results: |
Rd. 2: |
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Rd. 3: |
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D.D.*: |
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2002 Leaders: |
Points |
Shannon Johnson, 16.1 ppg |
Rebs. |
Wendy Palmer, 5.8 rpg |
Assts. |
Shannon Johnson, 5.3 apg |
Blocks |
McWilliams-Franklin, 1.08 bpg |
Steals |
Nykesha Sales, 1.88 spg |
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They Said It: |
 "I don't want to just be the old veteran on the bench telling the young people where to go. I want to get back to All-Star form." --Taj McWilliams-Franklin, 32, on her return after having a baby on Jan. 15. (Hartford Courant) |
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VGM Prospect: Shannon Johnson |
 Connecticut's starting point guard, Johnson brings a well-rounded game, posting plenty of assists and steals as well as points and rebounds.
 WNBA.com Virtual GM |
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Connecticut Sun: 2003 Preview
With a new home in a town called Uncasville and two former UConn Huskies on the roster, the Connecticut Sun (née Orlando Miracle) enter the 2003 season looking to build upon a 2002 campaign in which they missed the playoffs only by virtue of a tiebreaker with the Indiana Fever. The team also hopes to take advantage of a local fan base made rabid by the success of the University of Connecticut's women's basketball program.
Sales
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Huskies faithful will see a pair of familiar faces on the floor for the Sun this year, with
Nykesha Sales (UConn '98) entering her fifth season with the franchise, and
Rebecca Lobo (UConn '95) acquired from Houston during the offseason.
Sales, a four-time All-Star who has not missed a game in her career, will start for the Sun as a swing-player, providing scoring both inside and out as well as tough perimeter defense. Lobo led the Huskies to their first national championship back in 1995, but due to injuries has not played a full WNBA season since 1998. She'll split time with Wendy Palmer in the frontcourt as she works to regain the form that made her an All-Star early in her career.
The Sun's most important player, however, is point guard and three-time All-Star Shannon "Pee-Wee" Johnson. Leading the team last season in minutes (35.8 mpg), points (16.1 ppg) and assists (5.3 apg) and ranking second in steals (1.65 spg), Johnson anchors a strong perimeter group that includes Sales and third-year swing-player Katie Douglas.
In the middle, veteran center Taj McWilliams-Franklin returns to the court after missing half of 2002 due to pregnancy and having her baby in January. Another three-time All-Star (and two-time starter), McWilliams-Franklin is a skilled post player who can create high-percentage shots for herself in the low block (career .493 shooter) and is active on the boards at both ends of the floor.
Connecticut also has plenty of depth on its bench, most notably guard Adrienne Johnson, forward Brooke Wyckoff and center Jessie Hicks, all of whom played big minutes in reserve roles for the team in 2002.
Key Newcomers:
Besides Lobo, Connecticut nabbed another quality veteran, obtaining
Debbie Black from Miami in the dispersal draft. Black, a guard known for her hustle and defensive intensity, has started every game over the past four seasons, but now will back up Shannon Johnson at the point.
In the collegiate draft, the Sun selected forward Courtney Coleman out of Ohio State with the 13th overall pick and guard Lindsey Wilson out of Iowa State with the 34th pick. Coleman was named to the All-Big 10 Second Team three consecutive seasons, while Wilson was a member of the All-Big 12 First Team in 2003.
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