Laney Drafted by Chicago Sky
Apr 16 | Women's Basketball
UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Rutgers women's basketball senior forward Betnijah Laney (Clayton, Del.) was selected by the Chicago Sky as the 17th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 WNBA Draft on Thursday night.
Laney becomes the 17th Scarlet Knight drafted into the WNBA and will join fellow Scarlet Knight Cappie Pondexter on the Sky roster this summer.
"I was so excited, I couldn't get out my words," said Laney following the phone call from general manager and head coach of the Chicago Sky, Pokey Chatman, informing her was was going to be selected in this year's draft. "I've been waiting for this moment all week."
An Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press and First Team All-Big Ten Conference selection by both the media and coaches, Laney averaged 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for the Scarlet Knights as a senior. Among Big Ten peers, Laney ranked eighth in the league in scoring and third in rebounding, while nationally she was ranked 10th in double-doubles.
The senior Scarlet Knight performed 20 double-doubles during the 2014-15 season, which included eight straight to open up the season. Among her double-double efforts was a 24-point, 24-rebound night against then-No. 6 North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Her 24 rebounds versus the Tar Heels are a Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) record - men or women - as she surpassed the previous record of 21 held by Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and former WNBA All-Star Sue Wicks set back in 1987 against Penn State. Laney was also two rebounds shy of tying the Rutgers women's basketball single-game record set by Sandy Tupurins with 26 boards against William Paterson on March 1, 1977.
In all, Laney totaled double figure scoring in all but two games in 2014-15 and hauled in double-digit rebounds on 21 occasions. She poured in 20 or more points in eight contests and racked up 35 career double figure scoring and rebounding games. The Clayton, Delaware native finished her career with 1,401 career points (14th all-time) and 912 rebounds (sixth all-time). Laney joins Sue Wicks (1984-88), Regina Howard (1983-87) and Vicky Picott (1987-91) as the only Scarlet Knights to gather over 1,400 points and 900 rebounds in a career.
Additionally, Laney's 342 rebounds in 2014-15 rank her fourth on the single-season list and her 10.7 rebounds per game place her fifth on the single-season list and second among Rutgers seniors.
"Rutgers has prepared me for any challenges that await me whether it is in the WNBA or life," said Laney of her time "On The Banks". "I learned so much from Coach Stringer who taught me so many lessons, not just in the game of basketball, but life lessons too. These four years, I've gotten better and I'll continue to grow at the next level."
The Chicago Sky open up the 2015 on Friday, June 5 hosting Indiana.
For more information on the Chicago Sky - visit www.wnba.com/ChicagoSky
SCARLET KNIGHTS IN THE WNBA DRAFT
- Sue Wicks - 1997 - First Round - Sixth Overall - New York Liberty
- Shawnetta Stewart - 2000 - Third Round - 36th Overall - Orlando Miracle
- Usha Gilmore - 2000 - Third Round - 42nd Overall - Indiana Fever
- Tammy Sutton-Brown - 2001 - Second Round - 18th Overall - Charlotte Sting
- Tasha Pointer - 2001 - Fourth Round - 52nd Overall - Portland Fire
- Davalyn Cunningham - 2002 - Second Round - 23rd Overall - Orlando Miracle
- Chelsea Newton - 2005 - Second Round - 22nd Overall - Sacramento Monarchs
- Rebecca Richman - 2005 - Third Round - 36th Overall - New York Liberty
- Cappie Pondexter - 2006 - First Round - Second Overall - Phoenix Mercury
- Matee Ajavon - 2008 - First Round - Fifth Overall - Houston Comets
- Essence Carson - 2008 - First Round - Seventh Overall - New York Liberty
- Kia Vaughn - 2009 - First Round - Eight Overall - New York Liberty
- Epiphanny Prince - 2010 - First Round - Fourth Overall - Chicago Sky
- Rashidat Junaid - 2010 - Third Round - 32nd Selection - Los Angeles Sparks
- Khadijah Rushdan - 2012 - Second Round - 15th Overall - Los Angeles Sparks
- April Sykes - 2012 - Third Round - 28th Selection - Los Angeles Sparks
- Betnijah Laney - 2015 - Second Round - 17th Selection - Chicago Sky
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