SACRAMENTO, CALIF., May 21, 2003 - The Sacramento Monarchs today announce the roster for the 2003 season. New additions to the team include DeMya Walker, acquired in the 2003 WNBA Dispersal Draft, Chantelle Anderson who was selected by Sacramento in the first round (second overall) and Kara Lawson who was chosen by Detroit in the first round (fifth overall) and traded to Sacramento in exchange for Kedra Holland-Corn.

Sacramento added both size and shooting ability with Walker, Anderson and Lawson to create greater depth on the roster. Teaming up Walker and Anderson with Monarchs forwards Yolanda Griffith, Tangela Smith and La’Keshia Frett will add up to a powerful front court that can rebound and score points. As former point guard for the University of Tennessee, Lawson will fit in with the Monarchs as either the shooting guard or the point guard.

With the addition of three new young talents, the Monarchs now have an average age of 28 years old. Western Conference rivals Los Angeles Sparks and Houston Comets average 27.5 years and 27.9 years old respectively. Sacramento will look the Sparks directly in the eyes during the 2003 season, as both teams average nearly 6’1” tall, while Houston is 5’9” tall on the average.

The Sacramento Monarchs will play their first of 17 home games against the Phoenix Mercury on Opening Night, Friday, May 30, at 7 p.m. at ARCO Arena. Sacramento’s regular season will begin on the road on Thursday, May 22, at the Phoenix Mercury at 7 p.m. at America West Arena. Opening Night tickets are going fast and fans are asked to call (916) 419-WNBA for information about tickets.

2003 Sacramento Monarchs Roster

#	PLAYER	WNBA Exp.	HT	WT.	POS.	DOB.	SCHOOL
00	La Keshia Frett	4	6-3	170	F	06/12/75	Georgia '97
6	Ruthie Bolton	6	5-9	150	G	05/25/67	Auburn '89
7	Chantelle Anderson	R	6-6	192	C	01/22/81	Vanderbilt '03
9	Hamchetou (Tanti) Maïga	1	6-1	160	G	04/25/78	Old Dominion '01
12	Edna Campbell	4	5-8	152	G	11/26/68	Texas '91
20	Kara Lawson	R	5-8	160	F	02/14/81	Tennessee '03
21	Ticha Penicheiro	5	5-11	158	G	09/18/74	Old Dominion '98
22	DeMya Walker	3	6-4	168	F	11/28/77	Virginia '99
27	Lady Grooms	6	5-10	160	G	09/12/70	Georgia '92
33	Yolanda Griffith	4	6-4	175	F	03/01/70	Florida Atlantic '93
50	Tangela Smith	5	6-4	160	C	04/01/77	Iowa '98