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Morgan Warburton was picked 33rd overall in the WNBA draft.
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April 9, 2009
SALT 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 Utah player to be drafted by the WNBA and the second to go to the Monarchs. Kim Smith was drafted as the 13th overall pick in 2006 by Sacramento. Shona Thorburn was also drafted that year as a No. 7 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.
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