|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
WNBA Spotlight Ann Wauters, Cleveland Rockers
Posted: Thursday July 06, 2000 04:03 PM By Kristen Leigh Porter, CNNSI.com
As the No. 1 pick in this year's WNBA draft, the Belgian-born Wauters is busy trying to turn the Cleveland Rockers from league laughingstocks to league leaders. The 6'4" center was selected by the team without even having been interviewed by its coaching staff. In fact, all Cleveland coach Dan Hughes had to go on was word of mouth and a videotape. Unlike U.S.-born players, Wauters did not have to be at least 22 or complete her college eligibility before joining the WNBA. She had already been making a living in the game for more than two years with the USV Orchies club team in France. "[Hughes] had the choice of a lot of other good players," says Wauters, who had only been to the United States once prior to this spring. "He chose me as a young player because he wants to give me the time to learn." To the delight of her teammates, Wauters -- who speaks Dutch, French and a little German -- has fit in well. Averaging just over five points and 15 minutes per game, Wauters has provided steady relief off the bench. On July 3, Cleveland -- which finished last season a dismal 7-25 -- surpassed its '99 win total. "Since I was the first pick I obviously wasn't on the greatest team," says Wauters. "On the other hand, it's good. You can only improve."
Wauters will return to Europe to play for her French squad once her first WNBA season is complete. She will also commute twice weekly from France to Belgium, to attend classes at V.U.B. Brussels. Although it's a rather unorthodox method of continuing her education, Wauters expects to graduate in five years. She might have her degree in hand sooner if she wasn't playing hoops, but Wauters doesn't exactly mind the attention she's receiving as a pro athlete. Not many teenagers have boys and girls clamoring for their autograph, which, Wauters claims, is the best part of the job. "I really like that I can pay attention to them and see their little smiles," she says. "They're happy, so it makes me happy also."
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
