Senior forward Crystal Kelly was one of 20 women’s players invited to the WNBA draft at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla.
But over the course of the draft, more and more of other prospects’ names were being called out as teams made their selections, and Kelly said she started feeling nervous.
“The room was clearing out and I thought ‘Oh my gosh, please don’t let me be the girl who gets invited and doesn’t get drafted’,” Kelly said.
But she was finally drafted, with the 31st pick, by the Houston Comets.
This was another honor in a series of accolades for Kelly.
She currently holds nine program records, including points scored, rebounds, points per game and rebounding average.
She also hold the Sun Belt’s all-time career scoring record, with 2,803 points. She was named to the all-conference team all four seasons, and named the Sun Belt player of the year at the end of this season.
“It’s a great step forward for Crystal Kelly,” Lady Topper coach Mary Taylor Cowles said. “She is now able to think there is going to be basketball in her life after college as a profession.”
Kelly becomes only the third Lady Topper to be drafted into the WNBA, and was the highest pick in program history.
ShaRae Mansfield was the 33rd overall pick by the Comets in the 2001 draft, and Tiffany Porter-Talbert was the 36th pick in the 2006 draft, going to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Despite getting drafted, both Mansfield and Porter-Talbert did not play a minute in the WNBA.
“Regardless of what round you get drafted in, you still have to make the team,” Kelly said. “I think I put myself in a really great position to make an impact in Houston.”
Kelly was also honored by three All-American teams this season. She was named an honorable mention by both the WBCA and the Associated Press. She was also named to the All-American third team by CBS. Sportsline.com.
She became only the third Lady Topper to have her number retired, and the first player in Western history to get such an honor while still in uniform.
A Lady Topper coach with a lot of WNBA experience is assistant coach Nikki McCray. McCray played nine seasons in the league, making the all-star team three times.
Cowles said McCray’s help in Kelly’s transition to the pros was instrumental.
“I think Nikki has been a tremendous help,” Cowles said. “She’s been at that level and knows so much about it. Nikki’s experience has been very helpful to me and to Crystal as well in this whole process.”
Kelly is going to a team with a lot of history in the WNBA. The Comets won the first four WNBA championships from 1997-2001, but the team has had trouble maintaining that level of success recently, finishing last season with a record of 13-21.
Kelly begins her career as a professional basketball player with training camps opening on April 20.
“(The draft) was a great tribute to Crystal to cap off just an incredible college career with the Lady Toppers,” president Gary Ransdell said. “We wish her well in the WNBA. I think she is going to have a great career ahead of her.”
Reach Chris Acree at sports@chherald.com.
.