April 11, 2011
IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa guard Kachine Alexander was selected in Monday’s WNBA Draft. Alexander was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx as the second pick in the third round (26th overall).
“I can’t put into words how thrilled I am to be selected in the WNBA Draft,” Alexander said. “I have wanted a chance to play in the WNBA since I started playing basketball as a kid. I would like to thank the Minnesota Lynx organization for the opportunity to play at the next level. I would also like to thank all of my coaches and teammates at the University of Iowa for helping me reach this goal. I can’t wait to get back home to Minneapolis and begin the challenge of making a WNBA roster.”
Alexander left her mark on the Hawkeye program, earning the most All-America awards in school history. She was a four-time All-American after being named honorable mention by the Associated Press and WBCA as a junior and senior. She earned first team all-Big Ten honors as a junior and senior, along with second team accolades as a sophomore.
The Minneapolis, MN, native became the first Big Ten women’s basketball player to record two triple-doubles in the same season when she accomplished the feat as a sophomore. She also became the first Iowa player, and just the fifth in Big Ten history, to record 1,000 career points, 800 career rebounds and 300 career assists. Alexander finished her career ranked second in school history in double-doubles (34), second in rebounding (910), eighth in assists (339) and 16th in scoring (1,239).
“We are very excited for Kachine,” Head Coach Lisa Bluder said. “Being selected in the WNBA Draft has been one of Kash’s goals since she arrived at Iowa. Today shows that all of her hard work and dedication on the basketball court paid off. Kachine was a great Hawkeye in her four years and we can’t wait to see her take her talents to the professional stage.”
Alexander is the fourth player under Bluder, and the 11th in school history, to be selected in the WNBA Draft. Alexander is the highest drafted Hawkeye since Angela Hamblin was picked 23rd overall (Round 3, Pick 3). Thirteen Hawkeyes have played in the WNBA.
IOWA PLAYERS IN THE WNBA DRAFT
Michelle Edwards – Cleveland Rockers
1997 – Allocated
Toni Foster – Phoenix Mercury
1997 – Round 1, Pick 8
Tia Jackson – Phoenix Mercury
1997 – Round 2, Pick 1 (9th overall)
Nadine Domond – New York Liberty
1998 – Round 2, Pick 9 (19th overall)
Tangela Smith – Sacramento Monarchs
1998 – Round 2, Pick 2 (12th overall)
Angela Hamblin – Washington Mystics
1998 – Round 3, Pick 3 (23rd overall)
Amy Herrig – Sacramento Monarchs
1999 – Round 4, Pick 2 (38th overall)
Cara Consuegra – Utah Starzz
2001 – Round 4, Pick 8 (56th overall)
Lindsey Meder – Minnesota Lynx
2002 – Round 3, Pick 6 (38th overall)
Crystal Smith – Phoenix Mercury
2006 – Round 3, Pick 4 (32nd overall)
Kachine Alexander – Minnesota Lynx
2010 – Round 3, Pick 2 (26th overall)
ALSO PLAYED
Simone Edwards – signed as free agent for Seattle Storm
Franthea Price – signed as free agent for Sacramento Monarchs