Rutgers Women's Basketball Duo are WNBA Bound
Apr 10 | Women's Basketball
PALM HARBOR, Fla. - Rutgers seniors Matee Ajavon (Newark, N.J.) and Essence Carson (Paterson, N.J.) were the No. 5 and No. 7 draft picks, respectively, in the 2008 WNBA Draft announced in a live broadcast on ESPN2 on Wednesday afternoon. The event took place at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.
Ajavon was the fifth selection overall of the Houston Comets. The New York Liberty tabbed Carson with the seventh overall selection. The pair will join former teammate Cappie Pondexter in the league. Pondexter was the second overall selection -by the Phoenix Mercury- in the 2006 WNBA Draft. The former Scarlet Knight has enjoyed tremendous success in the pros, earning MVP honors for the Mercury when they captured the championship last July.
The dynamic pair are the first two RU players selected simultaneously in the WNBA draft. Former RU great Sue Wicks was a number six selection by the Liberty in 1997.
'I grew up a watching Sheryl Swoopes a lot and I remember buying her sneakers when they came out when I was in seventh or eighth grade. I was always a fan of hers and watching the Houston Comets play,' Ajavon said. 'It's a little bit of nervousness mixed with excitement at the same time. I am willing to do whatever it takes to be a vital part of this team.'
Carson noted her first WNBA experience was when she watched a New York Liberty game in person in 1997. 'I am excited to see the same faces (by being close to Rutgers) and some new faces and excited to part of program which will get better and better each season.' The connection to Rutgers continues for Carson. The Liberty are coached for former Scarlet Knights standout (1978-82) Patty Coyle, a regular visitor to Rutgers games at the Louis Brown Athletic Center.
Carson added, 'It's very special to go that high and it shows the kind of players that Coach Stringer is able to produce and the type of basketball coach she is. We are a reflection of that.'
Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer was on hand to see the historic day in Rutgers women's basketball history.
'They are going to be great pros and great ambassadors of women's basketball,' Stringer said after the draft. 'Matee is born for the pros. She will electrify people and Essence hasn't scratched the surface on who she is. She is one of the most versatile players and is so hungry for knowledge.'
Stringer noted fans will be in for a big surprise with the pair, 'They couldn't be entertaining (to the fans) with me (laughter). Everything had to be fundamental. So now you are going to see some things and say, 'wow,' they didn't do that with Coach Stringer. They will tell you that they were waiting to be unleashed.'
Stringer added, 'I appreciate the fact that the WNBA folks, the scouts, know that is not my style but they know these players hold it all in for the sake of the team and winning. But, you will see something different with them in the pro game. They will entertain, I promise you.'
Ajavon said of the Hall of Fame coach, 'It speaks volumes that we both went so high in the draft. Coach Stringer has a system where she teaches defense, she teaches hard work and she teaches dedication. I feel as if we have all those attributes and having those makes us an important piece of anyone's team.'
Ajavon and Carson both grabbed advice from Pondexter last week.
'Coming into the draft, I spoke with Cappie and she said, Mat, this is the most exciting moment of your life, be happy, be proud and go out there and smile a lot.'
The advice Pondexter gave Carson was invaluable, 'We asked her a lot of questions (this past week). This whole day was really big to us. We didn't know what to expect. She pulled us in and helped with getting us on our feet.'
In addition to their respective families, the two were also joined at the event by their New Jersey high school coaches: Vanessa Watson of Newark Shabazz and Ed Black of Paterson Eastside. The entire Rutgers coaching staff were in attendance as was former Rutgers associate head coach and current Illinois head coach Jolette Law.
Ajavon and Carson finished their illustrious collegiate careers, recording 109 victories to just 32 losses over four seasons. Carson averaged 9.5 points over her collegiate career, shooting 40.5 percent from the field. Carson was also a Greensboro Regional honoree last week.
