UNCASVILLE, CT. (Jan. 28, 2004) — The Connecticut Sun announced today that it has reached an agreement to trade point guard Shannon ‘Pee Wee’ Johnson to the San Antonio Silver Stars as part of a deal that also involves a swap of draft picks.

“This move gives us an opportunity to be a major player in one of the deepest drafts in WNBA history,” Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. “We have three of the top 16 picks, and there is a lot of talent in the collegiate ranks. I appreciate everything Pee Wee did to make our first season a big success, but she obviously also has a high market value. That value allows us to make a move that will help us take a major step toward improving our team.”

Along with Johnson, Connecticut will send its second- and third-round selections – Nos. 21 and 34, respectively – in the 2004 WNBA Collegiate Draft to the Silver Stars. In return, the Sun will receive San Antonio’s 4th, 16th and 29th picks in the upcoming draft.

As a result of this transaction Connecticut now has the 4th, 8th, 16th, 24th and 29th picks in the 2004 WNBA Draft.

“While Shannon was obviously a major part of our success last season, we believe this trade will ultimately give us the best opportunity to improve our team,” Connecticut Sun General Manager Chris Sienko said Wednesday. “And we know that if we are to attain our goal of winning a WNBA title now and in the future, we must get better.”

A four-time WNBA All Star who averaged 12.4 points, 5.76 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game in 34 starts during the regular season for the Sun, Johnson has been with the franchise since its founding as the Orlando Miracle in 1999. The 5-foot-7 Johnson was the second player in league history to reach 2,000 points, 600 rebounds and 600 assists in a career, and the fifth to amass 700 career assists.