Nine Former C-USA Players Open WNBA Play This Week

Deana Jackson

Former All-Americans Deanna Jackson (UAB) and Lenae Williams (DePaul) will launch their professional career when their respective WNBA teams begin play this week.

CHICAGO – Former All-Americans Deanna Jackson (UAB) and Lenae Williams (DePaul) will launch their professional career when their respective WNBA teams begin play this week. Jackson, who was drafted by the Cleveland Rockers as the eighth pick overall, will host the Houston Comets on Saturday, June 1 at 3 p.m. (CST). Williams was selected by the Detroit Shock in the second round with the 18th overall pick, and will begin conference play against the Orlando Miracle on Thursday, May 30 in Orlando.

Jackson has recovered from a broken right fibula suffered during her senior season at UAB. At the time of her injury, Jackson was leading the nation in scoring (26.2 ppg) and rebounding (12.3 rpg). She holds the Blazers’ career record and ranks second on the C-USA career list for rebounding with 1,118, while also placing fourth on C-USA all-time record book with 2,144 points. In her four-year career, Jackson earned Women’s Basketball Journal second team All-America honors in 2001, while also being named 2001 C-USA Player of the Year.

Williams recently finished her career second in DePaul history and ranked fourth in C-USA career laurels with 2,046 points. She also became only the third player in NCAA history to reach 330 three-pointers in her career. This season, she ranked second in Conference USA in scoring average at 22.5 per game and connected on a league-high 93 three-pointers. She earned honorable mention All-America honors and was named first team All-C-USA.

Jackson and Williams join seven other former C-USA All-League performers who play in the WNBA: Barbara Farris (Tulane)-Detroit Shock, Grace Daley (Tulane)-Houston Comets, Tamika Whitmore (Memphis)-New York Liberty, Latasha Byears (DePaul)-Los Angeles Sparks, Janell Burse (Tulane)-Minnesota Lynx, Brandy Reed (Southern Miss) –Phoenix Mercury and LaTonya Johnson (Memphis)-Utah Starzz.

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