Stanford's Nnemkadi Ogwumike taken first in WNBA draft

Bristol, CT – The Los Angeles Sparks selected Nnemkadi Ogwumike with the top overall pick in the 2012 WNBA draft on Monday.

Ogwumike, a forward from Stanford University, averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as senior. She was a three-time All-American.

Ogwumike, who became the first Stanford player to be the No. 1 pick, helped the Cardinal make it to the Final Four in each of her four seasons.

The Sparks had the first pick for the first time since 2008, when they selected Candace Parker.

The Seattle Storm took guard/forward Shekinna Stricklen with the second selection. The Tennessee product was a Wooden Award and Wade Trophy finalist and All-SEC First Team pick this season.

With the third pick, the Minnesota Lynx went with Notre Dame forward Devereaux Peters. At 6-foot-2, Peters is an athletic big that was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12.

The Tulsa Shock took Tennessee forward Glory Johnson with the fourth pick. Johnson's 37 career double-doubles are third in Tennessee history.

In the fifth slot, the San Antonio Silver Stars took Miami-Florida product Shenise Johnson. The 5-foot-11 guard ended her collegiate career with 2,222 points, 1,001 rebounds, 551 assists and 396 steals.

The Phoenix Mercury snagged Ohio State guard Samantha Prahalis with the sixth pick, the New York Liberty took Tennessee center Kelley Cain at No. 7, the Washington Mystics went with Notre Dame guard Natalie Novosel with the eighth pick, the Connecticut Sun selected Astan Dabo of Mali with the ninth pick and the Mystics picked Louisiana State forward LaSondra Barrett at No. 10.

With the 11th pick, the Indiana Fever took Georgia Tech center Sasha Goodlett. And to complete the first round, Minnesota went with Brazilian Damiris Dantas.