Orekhova drafted

[Brad]

@USFWBB: Inga Orekhova selected in the second round of the WNBA Draft, 18th overall, by the Atlanta Dream. Congrats Inga!

[Brad]

USF ATHLETICS GoUSFBulls.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: April 14, 2014

Orekhova Selected 18th Overall in WNBA Draft

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TAMPA, FLA. (April 14, 2014) - USF sharpshooter Inga Orekhova made Bulls’ history Monday night, becoming just the third USF player to be selected in the WNBA draft.

Orekhova was selected in the second round by the Atlanta Dream, 2013’s WNBA Championship Runner Up, as the 18th overall pick. Orekhova passed Andrea Smith (35th overall, 2013) and Jessica Dickson (21st overall, 2007) as the highest-drafted Bull in USF history.

Orekhova joins American Athletic Conference counterpart and Louisville standout Shoni Schimmel as part of Atlanta’s rookie class, adding an influx of shooting talent to compliment perennial MVP candidate Angel McCoughtry and third-year guard Tiffany Hayes in 2014.

Earlier this month, Orekhova finished off a stellar three-year career with the Bulls, becoming the 20th player to record 1,000 points in a USF uniform, and setting a single-season free throw percentage record. Orekhova posted career-best numbers as a senior, shooting .367 from beyond the arc, dishing out 92 assists and averaging 4.2 rebounds per game.

Orekhova joins elite company, becoming the fourth USF player to wear a WNBA jersey, as Bulls’ career leading rebounder Wanda Guyton also played in the WNBA as an undrafted free agent. For the Bulls, it was the third player drafted in the last seven years, and second in the past two seasons.

QUOTES FROM INGA

On Draft Night Jitters:

I had to keep going back and forth between my laptop and my phone because I don’t get ESPNU, and it must have been delayed because all of a sudden I started getting all these messages and tweets saying congrats! I was confused, but then I finally saw my name come up on the screen and it was real.

On how it felt to see her name:

I still can’t believe I got drafted. I felt a weight came off my shoulders, because it’s been in the back of my mind this season. I’m still not on the team, but this takes a lot of pressure off.

On her mom finding out in Austria:

My mom had two hours until she had to go to work, but she was blowing up my phone this whole night, and when my name came up, I just told her “Mom, we made it.”

My mom used to take me running up and down hills in Austria to train when I was 12 or 13, and when I wanted to quit she would always say “Remember what you promised me: when you get drafted, you’re gonna buy me a Chanel dress.” So I guess I owe her that dress now.

On her communication with the Atlanta Dream:

Coach Cooper called and said “Welcome to the family,” and told me he was very excited. Camp starts on the 27th, and we will talk tomorrow about details.

Who she wants to thank:

“I want to thank my mom, my guardian Daniel Prince, my whole San Diego family, especially the Martinez family, my high school coach Marlon Wells, my junior college coach Jim Rowland, the whole coaching staff at USF, especially Coach Fernandez, my teammates, all of our great fans here in Tampa, and so many more people who helped me get to where I am today.”

- #GoBulls -

[NCBull]

Great story; great young woman!!

[DELdaBull]

Inga is a special shooter

[Paisa el Toro]

Looking forward to seeing this young lady succeed in the WNBA. Represent that green and gold proudly, Inga.

[charsibb]

Saaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

 

Congrats Inga! Money from the three. Wish she was on the men's team too this year...

 

Good luck in the ATL and the WNBA!

[South_Florida_Flip]

Way to go Inga!!!! It was a pleasure watching you represent USF.

[raptorcj]

Congrats! Once a Bull...

[Ricky the Bull]

Inga has made the 12-player roster for tonight's opener!

 

http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=209497287

 

[charsibb]

Saaawwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttttttttttttttt!!!

 

Go Inga GO!!!

 

Will be online, and potentially on TV

 

http://www.wnba.com/dream/schedule/