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the 2000 WNBA Expansion Draft: Kate Starbird goes to...

© Colleen Bittner

Kate Starbird couldn't stay at home in Palo Alto, California during the draft. She was too nervous. So she went to Tahoe Wednesday, just for the day.

On Wednesday, December 15, the WNBA held their expansion draft for the 2000 season. The four new teams, Indiana, Portland, Seattle, and Miami each got to choose six players to start off their team. The first pick of the draft was Gordana Grubin to Indiana, formerly from the Los Angeles Sparks. Edna Campbell went second, to Seattle. Kate Starbird was the third pick, going to Miami. She was quickly traded, however, to the Utah Starzz along with their first round draft pic in the 2000 draft, for Elena Baranova and the Starzz's second-round selection. Portland chose Elisa Burras for the fourth pick of the draft.

Second Round Portland: Sophia Witherspoon; New York Liberty *Trade from Portland Miami: Sandy Brondello; Detroit Shock *Trade from Indania Seattle: Sonja Henning; Houston Comets Indiana: Stephanie McCarty; Charlotte Sting *Trade from Miami

Third Round Indiana: Nyree Roberts; Washington Mystics Seattle: Angela Aycock; Minnesota Lynx Miami: Debbie Black; Utah Starzz Portland: Tari Phillips; Orlando

Fourth Round Portland: Coquese Washington; New York Miami: Sharon Manning; Charlotte Seattle: Nina Bjedov; Los Angeles Indiana: Rita Williams; Washington

Fifth Round Indiana: Kara Wolters; Houston Seattle: Toni Foster; Phoenix Miami: Lesley Brown; Detroit Portland: Molly Goodenbour; Sacramento

Sixth Round Portland: Jamila Wideman; Cleveland Miami: Yolanda Moore; Orlando Seattle: Charmin Smith; Minnesota Indiana: Chantel Tremitiere; Utah

Lin Dunn, the head coach for the new Seattle Team, says that Kate Starbird was on her list of potential players for her team. "Kate was absolutely in our mix," Dunn said. "But by the time we got our backcourt together, she was gone just like that. But I'm happy for her. She went really high and it's a new start for her."

"It's going to be so much fun getting to play with Natalie (Williams) and Margo (Dydek)," Starbird told WNBA.com. "Just think how many easy assists I'll have"

Kate Starbird won't be going home after all, but she will get a new start.

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