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Direct from the 1999 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp

© Colleen Bittner

The squeak of basketball shoes on the courts, shouts of "Ball!" and "Outlet!" filled my ears as I walked into the Solheim Center Gymnasium at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Looking down from the bleachers I saw about ninety Women, from college age to seasoned professionals, running the courts, shooting lay-ups, and slapping each other on the back in encouragement. The 1999 WNBA pre-draft camp had kicked-off two days before, on Thursday, and by Saturday, the last day of Camp, the players were determined to prove they were worth one of the few and precious spots on a WNBA team. Most of them didn't care which team; they just wanted to play, in front of their own country.

Thirty-nine Former ABL players and twenty-four players just out of college were in attendance. The players had only been notified a few hours before they were to fly to Chicago, possibly due to the fact that the WNBA had only come to agreements with the Players union the day before. "I found out at three, and I left at seven," Kate Starbird laughs.

Every college player could supposedly be drafted, but only up to thirty-six ABL players can be drafted in the four round draft. Some players, Such as Olympic gold-medallist and former player for the Nashville Noise Venus Lacy, Stanford and Seattle reign stars Kate Starbird and Val Whiting, and Tonya Edwards, former player/coach for the Columbus Quest, have almost guaranteed spots somewhere. Players like Kate Paye, and Beth Morgan have to work harder to get themselves noticed.

Several players jumped out at me as I watched the scrimmages throughout the morning. Debbie Black, former point guard for the Colorado Xplosion, seemed to be everywhere all at once. It wasn't hard to pick her out of the crowd, with her lighting quick passes, and steady footwork. Adrienne Goodson was a strong force out on the courts. She was aggressive on the boards, and showed what great shape she has kept herself in over the past few months.

Kate Starbird, former star guard for Stanford and the Seattle Reign, looked better than ever. She has turned her aggressiveness up several notches. Starbird was stealing balls left and right, blocking shots, and guarding opponents like there was no tomorrow. She was after every loose ball, was in the middle of every tie-up, and created and sank those shots she is known for. During the time she had off, Starbird worked on creating things for herself on the court. "When I was at Stanford I didn't have to create much for myself because other people were creating for me, especially at the half court. I have been working on getting my shot up."