Silver Stars' pick of Shenise Johnson addresses needs

The Silver Stars needed rebounding. They needed a guard with size. They needed a versatile player who would provide athleticism and, at the least, give the team some added depth.

They think they found the answer to all of those equations in 5-foot-11 Shenise Johnson.

The Silver Stars selected the University of Miami product with the No. 5 overall pick in Monday's WNBA draft.

“Shenise is a player that brings a lot of versatility, not only in her game but to the lineup,” Silver Stars coach and general manager Dan Hughes said. “She can play any position from the (small forward) to the (point guard). She also brings a high degree of athleticism, and a high degree of skill.''

Needing to make the most out of their lone draft pick, the Silver Stars landed Johnson, a two-time All-American who started all 131 games that she played in at Miami — the longest streak in the nation.

Johnson, 21, averaged 17.0 points and eight rebounds this past season, helping the Hurricanes reach the second round of the NCAA tournament. She finished her career with 2,262 points, 1,020 rebounds, 556 assists, 401 steals and 90 blocked shots.

“I'm excited to have the opportunity to play in San Antonio,” said Johnson, who this past season was a finalist for both the Wooden Award and Wade Trophy, given to the nation's top player.

She was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection four times, the 2011 league player of the year, and a two-time all-defensive team honoree. This past season, she led the league in steals, assists-to-turnover ratio and free-throw shooting.


(mysanantonio.com)