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Press ReleaseSALT LAKE CITY -- Utah All-America guard Morgan Warburton was drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs in the third round of the WNBA draft on Thursday afternoon. She was the 33rd overall pick.
"It was overwhelming when I saw my name," Warburton said. "At first I didn't believe it - I am in shock. This is something I've always wanted to do so being able to get a shot at it is great. I am hoping I can make the best of it. It's been pretty fun so far."
Warburton is the fourth player to be drafted by the WNBA and the second to go to the Monarchs. Shona Thorburn was drafted as the seventh overall pick in 2006 by Sacramento. Kim Smith was also drafted that year as a No. 13 selection to the Minnesota Lynx. Last year, Leilani Mitchell was picked in the second round (25th overall) by the Phoenix Mercury.
"This is so awesome for her," Utah head coach Elaine Elliott said. "It's great for her and our program and our league. It couldn't have happened to a more deserving kid and I wish her the best. It's a tough year to make the WNBA, so she's getting herself ready and she will give it a good shot."
The Monarchs open their season on Thursday, May 21, against Seattle.
Warburton earned honorable mention All-America honors from both the Associated Press and WBCA. The 2009 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and three-time first-team All-MWC player ended her career with 1,886 career points, which ranks fourth all-time at Utah. She set school records for free-throw shooting, including career percentage (88.3), career free throws (439), free throws in a season (161), free throws in a game (16) and season percentage (90.4). Warburton scored in double figures in an MWC record 66 consecutive games during her career.
Warburton ranked in the top 30 in the country this season with 18.5 points per game and her 90.4 free-throw percentage ranked third in the nation. She led Utah with 185 defensive rebounds and led the team in scoring in 17 games. Warburton scored over 20 points in 13 games. Highlights during the season included scoring the game-winning basket with seconds remaining in two games against New Mexico, including a win in the MWC Tournament.
(Courtesy the University of Utah)
