EDMONTON – A 21-year-old local basketball player has become the first woman from Edmonton to be drafted by the WNBA.
Michelle Plouffe was selected 19th overall by the Seattle Storm Monday night.
“I’m extremely excited,” said Plouffe, over the phone from Salt Lake City.
The Edmonton native is in her senior year at the University of Utah, where she plays for the Utes. She and her teammates watched the draft together Monday night.
“It was pretty nerve-racking.”
Plouffe didn’t actually hear her name get called, though, because reporters were conducting interviews with some of the first-round picks when she was selected.
“I just saw my name flash at the bottom of the screen on the ticker and then I was like ‘Was that my name?'”
Before getting too excited, Plouffe waited until all the picks cycled through on the ticker again.
“Then I saw my name beside my team and then I was like ‘Well, I guess that’s it. I guess I got picked,'” she said.
“I was extremely excited to be going to Seattle. I love the city and I think they have a great organization. So I think it’s the best fit for me.”
The Harry Ainlay High School graduate also played for the Canada women’s national basketball team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
She’s always had a great support base and says she couldn’t be more appreciative of the opportunity she’s been given.
“I’m so thankful for all my coaches – from my first grade coach… to my high school teachers at Ainlay and all my community league teams. And just everyone who has been so supportive of me always.
“I’m just so blessed for this opportunity to see what the WNBA has in store for me.”
Plouffe has one week left at the University of Utah. After that, she’ll head to Seattle where training camp begins at the end of the month. “They have some roster spots open so that’s what I’ll be trying for in training camp.”
With files from Kevin Karius, Global Sports.
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