ATLANTA, April 8, 2010 - The Atlanta Dream selected 6-5 forward Chanel Mokango from Mississippi State with the No. 9 overall pick in today�s WNBA Draft. The team added Brigitte Ardossi from Georgia Tech in the second round and Texas guard Brittainey Raven in the final round.
�Chanel had a terrific year and her upside is just out of sight,� said Dream General Manager and Head Coach Marynell Meadors. �She has only been playing basketball since she was 15. She is a shot blocker, a terrific defender and she runs the floor extremely well. She�s just going to continue to get better.�
Mokango, a native of Kinshasa, Congo, played two years for Mississippi State after beginning her collegiate career at Southeastern Illinois College. As a senior, Mokango led the Lady Bulldogs to a 21-13 record and the program�s first Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA tournament. She averaged 10.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the 2009-10 season. The two-time Southeastern Conference All-Defensive Team selection also set the Mississippi State record with 180 career blocked shots.
The Dream selected Ardossi in the second round with the No. 21 overall pick. Ardossi, a 6-2 forward, was a four-year starter and appeared in all 130 games in her Georgia Tech career. The Melbourne, Australia native led the Yellow Jackets in points and rebounds during the 2009-10 season, posting career-high averages of 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. An Atlantic Coast Conference second team selection, Ardossi scored in double figures 29 times this season. She was part of a senior class that finished with four straight 20-win seasons and NCAA Tournament bids. Ardossi was named the Georgia Women�s Basketball Player of the Year by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
�Brigitte has so much fire and passion for playing the game and that�s what the Atlanta Dream is about,� said Meadors. �She�s a really talented player and her versatility is a huge asset.�
In the third round, the Dream added Raven with the No. 33 pick. Raven, a 6-0 guard from the University of Texas, was a three-time All-Big 12 second team honoree. Raven led the Longhorns in scoring, averaging 14.6 points as a senior. She also contributed 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
The Atlanta Dream tips off its third season this summer at Philips Arena, with the home opener slated for Sunday, May 16 at 7 p.m. against the Indiana Fever. Season tickets, group tickets and mini- plans are also available for purchase by calling 1-877-977-7729 or visiting www.AtlantaDream.net. Single game tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or all Ticketmaster outlets, the Philips Arena box office, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.