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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2000)
Portland Fire take Pride ■ Portland’s new WNBA franchise chooses former Kansas standout Lynn Pride as the seventh pick overall but lose local star Katy Steading in the league’s fourth draft By Landon Hall The Associated Press PORTLAND — Draft day was a mixed blessing for the expan sion Portland Fire, which got some players it wanted but also lost a valuable one. Portland, which begins its first WNBA season May 31 against the three-time defend ing champion Houston Comets, chose Kansas forward Lynn Pride with its first-round selec tion Tuesday morning. Pride, a versatile 6-foot-2 player who averaged 17.4 points per game last season, , was the No. 7 overall choice in what was considered a weak draft. . “I feel very fortunate that we’re going to be able to build this franchise over the long haul with a player the caliber of Lynn Pride,” said Fire coach and general manager Linda Har grove. Hargrove was hoping that guard Katy Steding, who played high school ball in Lake Os wego and was a member of the Portland Power in the defunct American Basketball League, would be available in the sec ond round, when the Fire was due to pick 23rd. However, Steding was picked by the Sacramento Monarchs late in the first round. “Katy will do a great job in Sacramento,” Hargrove said. “That’s a really nice fit for her.” Steding, 32, went to work for the Fire as community liaison ^ I feel very fortunate that we're going to be able to build this fran chise over the long haul with a player the caliber of Lynn Pride. Linda Hargrove coach and general manager in August 1999, eight months after the ABL folded. She sat out the 1999 WNBA season. With its second pick, the Fire chose Stacey Thomas, a 5-10 forward from Michigan who av eraged 14.5 points last season. In the third round, with the 39th pick, Portland selected Maxann Reese, a 5-9 guard from Michigan State who averaged 16 points and shot 86 percent from the free throw line. Rhonda Smith, a 6-8 center, was the team’s fourth round pick. She averaged 21.1 points and 7.4 rebounds at Long Beach State, and led the nation with 3.5 blocks per game. Hargrove said Pride and Thomas will make the team and be asked to contribute immedi ately. The other two players will have to prove themselves in training camp, which begins May 3. “I can look at Lynn Pride right now and know she’s going to be a defensive star on this team,” Hargrove said. The nucleus of the Fire’s ros ter really was formed during the Dec. 15 expansion draft. That’s when the team picked up for ward Alisa Burras from Cleve land and guard Sophia Wither spoon, a two-time WNBA All-Star with New York. Portland still could acquire more players. The league’s 16 teams will send their list of de sired free agents to the WNBA on Sunday, and the league will assign some to each team. The Fire will also hold open tryouts Saturday and Sunday. University of Oregon MASCOT TRYOUTS! INFORMATIONAL MEETING Wednesday, April 26th, 6pm Casanova Center Conference Room TRYOUTS Wednesday, May 3 6pm, Mac Court for more info, contact Laraine at 346-5485 FIND THINGS IN ODE CLASSIFIEDS (ROOMMATES, TICKETS, STUFF YOU LOST, BICYCLES, CARS, JOBS, ON-CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES) MCC Director Candidate Presentation Javier Cervantes MCC Director Candidate presents on Dual Identities April 26, 2000 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Multicultural Center Suite 33, EMU Congratulations to the Ladg Ducks. From the members of the Eiujenc Count nj Club Don’t Get Trapped In A Small Apartment • Free Month Rent • 1 & 2 Bedrooms • Quiet & Large • Gas Fireplace • Air Conditioning • Laundry Hookups • Free Cable • Balcony/Deck Come check out our great specials! McKenna 342-5735 near Autzen Stadium WHY Get A Real JOB When the hottest interactive entertainment company is looking tor on-campus reps to live and breathe EA SPORTS; Do you live sports? Are you o gamer? Will you allow yourself to have fun and make money? If you comprise all three of these skills you may be selected to be one of only two EA SPORTS"Reps on your campus! SPORTS APPLY NOW FOR FALL 2000 Send Your Cover Letter, Resume' & Three Professional References To: Fax (863) 680*1326 Or E-mail promo@vworkz.com c/o College Reps Equal Opportunity Employer EA SPORTS ond the EA SPORTS logo ore trademarks ot registered trademarks of Electronic Arts in the United States ond/ot other countries.
