NEW YORK, N.Y. [February 6] – The WNBA today held an Expansion Draft for the Atlanta Dream, the newest franchise which will begin competing this summer. The Dream selected New York Liberty center Ann Wauters as one of its charter players. Atlanta had the right through the Expansion Draft to acquire one unprotected player from each of the existing 13 WNBA teams, while teams were able to protect six players.

Wauters spent two of her five WNBA seasons (2004-2005) in a Liberty uniform, posting an overall average of 11.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in New York. In addition to leading the Liberty in field goals made and field goal percentage in the 2005 regular season, Wauters was one the WNBA’s top 20 scoring (13.7 ppg) and rebounding leaders (6.6 rpg). New York acquired her from the Cleveland Rockers with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Dispersal Draft.

“Due to prior national team commitments, Ann Wauters has not been with us the last few years,” said Liberty Senior Vice President and General Manager Carol Blazejowski.

“However, during her time here, she showed why she is one of the top posts in the league. We wish her well on her return to the WNBA.”