The summer came and went, but not without plenty of excitement from the 2007 Liberty. Through the up’s and down’s, it was a great season for the young squad to get some experience in the quicker, bigger, stronger WNBA.

As players are beginning to part ways en route to off-season endeavors, NYLiberty.com is handing in its season homework – a final report, which takes a look back at how each member of the team faired this summer. Today’s chapter of the report looks at center Jessica Davenport.

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ROAD TO THE BIG APPLE
On April 4th, the Liberty acquired the draft rights to Davenport, the second overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft, and a first-round selection in the 2008 WNBA Draft, in exchange for guard Becky Hammon and 2008 second round pick … An Ohio native, Davenport graduated in 2007 from Ohio State University, where she was a two-time finalist for the Wade Trophy Award and Wooden Award, a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2005 & 2006), selected to the All-Big Ten three times, and the Ohio State Athlete of the Year in 2006.

THE PROFESSIONAL DEBUT
In her rookie campaign, Davenport averaged 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 11.6 minutes … She led the team in scoring once, with her 14 points and four rebounds off the bench against Chicago on August 14th … The 29 blocks she amassed this season was a team-high and earned her the 12th overall ranking in the League.

STARTING AT THE TOP
Davenport started in the Liberty’s first 13 games of the season, a team-high amongst her fellow rookies … Through the first 10 games with her in the starting line-up, New York went 6-4 … Davenport appeared in 33 games total this summer and posted double figures five times.

CLASS ACT
Davenport led the WNBA’s Class of 2007 with the top field goal percentage (.445 percent) and blocks per game (.88) … She was the sixth leading rookie scorer with 5.3 points per game and the third leading free-throw shooter amongst rookies and 21st amongst the entire League with a .818 percentage.

QUOTABLE
Head Coach Pat Coyle on Davenport:
“She's a legitimate center. You can throw the ball to her on the box and she'll make something happen.”

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Want more on Jessica’s ride through 2007? Check out her WNBA.com Playerfile. Also, find out where the off-season is taking her.

Next Chapter of our Report: Guard Erin Thorn
Previous Chapter: Forward Cathrine Kraayeveld; Guard Ashley Battle; Forward Tiffany Jackson; Guard Lisa Willis