Temple University Athletics
WNBA'S CHARLOTTE STING TRADE STALEY TO HOUSTON COMETS
8.2.05 | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, NC - After spending her entire six-year WNBA career with the Charlotte Sting, Temple Head Coach Dawn Staley has been traded to the Houston Comets for forward Kristen Rasmussen, guard/forward Adrienne Goodson and a 2006 first round draft pick.
Staley, selected by Charlotte with the ninth overall selection in the 1999 WNBA Draft, started all 219 games in her career with the Sting. She is averaging 6.3 points in 2005 and ranks third among WNBA leaders with 5.3 assists.
"This move will help us continue to rebuild our team," said Charlotte Sting General Manager and Head Coach Trudi Lachey. "Dawn Staley has been a great ambassador for women's basketball and the Charlotte Sting in every possible aspect. She has meant the world to our franchise, and we wish her nothing but the best. This gives her an opportunity to compete for a WNBA Championship."
The Sting, last in the East, have the worst record in the WNBA at 3-20. Houston is tied for second in the West with the defending champion Seattle Storm at 14-10, three games behind the Sacramento Monarchs.
"This is a big move for me," said Staley. "But I would be stupid not to take advantage of it. It's not about winning a championship, because that's not what's going to define my career."
In Houston, Staley will be reunited with two of her Olympic teammates, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson, from last summer's Athens Games, as well as the coach. The Comets' Van Chancellor was in charge of the U.S. women's team.
"We're excited," Chancellor said. "If she gets here before 7 p.m. [Tuesday], she's going to play."
Houston will host the Detroit Shock tonight at 8 p.m. The game can be seen live on ESPN2.
