We all know that the WNBA kicks off the 2009 season in less than a month, so with that being said teams are adding and cutting rosters like crazy. One of my favorite players Kelly Schumacher, for Fever and Liberty star, has just been signed to the Washington Mystics, good news for her, however by signing her the Mystics have waived Coco Miller. Will Miller now have the opportunity to join her sister Kelly in Minnesota or will she be rescued by another team? Only time, which is running out, can tell?
Katie Feenstra Mattera signs a contract to play with the Silver Stars after she was waived by Detroit. This is Katie's second go around with the team.
Check out both stories below....
Mystics Add Schumacher to Roster
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Posted May 11 2009 8:01PM
Washington, D.C. – General Manager Angela Taylor announced today the team had added 6-4 Center Kelly Schumacher to its roster. An eight year WNBA veteran, Schumacher has played for the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty. She also won back to back WNBA championships in 2007 and 2008 as a member of the Phoenix Mercury and Detroit Shock teams.
“We are pleased to announce the addition of Kelly Schumacher to the Mystics organization. She brings tremendous size, quality professional experience, and a championship mentality to our team while complimenting our other low block posts. Kelly is extremely versatile, stretches the defense with her face up game, has an extremely high basketball IQ and is a proven winner. She is a good shot blocker and values team,” said Taylor. “Coach Julie Plank had the opportunity to coach Kelly in Indiana and is excited about what she brings to our team. Several teams were interested in signing Schu this season, so we are ecstatic that she was excited about becoming part of our efforts to build a championship organization.”
Schumacher was selected in the first round (14th overall) in the 2001 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. She has averaged 5.0 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game during her career. Schumacher has made playoff appearances with the Fever, Mercury and Shock and averaged 3.0 points per game and 2.9 rebounds per game. averaged 3.0 points per game and 2.9 rebounds per game. She finished the 2008 season ranked 13th in blocks and 18th in rebounds.
A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Schumacher won an NCAA National Championship in 2000 with the Huskies. She is ranked third in career blocked shots (181) on Connecticut’s all-time list. Schumacher was the recipient of the WNBA’s Community Assist Award for her community service during the 2002-03 off-season.
The Washington Mystics will tip off the 2009 season on Saturday, June 6 on the road against the Connecticut Sun. Washington will host the club’s home opener on Sunday, June 7 against the Atlanta Dream. Season and group tickets for the 2009 season are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mystics Sales Office at 1-877-DC-HOOP1 or by visiting the Mystics website at www.washingtonmystics.com
The Washington Mystics organization is dedicated to providing affordable entertainment, serving as an impactful community partner and maintaining accessibility to positive female role models. Supported by passionate fans, the Mystics are elite, hardworking athletes continually striving to win a Championship.
May 11, 2009
Silver Stars Sign Katie Feenstra Mattera
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Silver Stars have signed center Katie Feenstra Mattera to a free agent contract, Head Coach and General Manager Dan Hughes announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract have not been released.
“We are pleased to have Katie join the Silver Stars,” said Hughes. “She will add an interior presence with strong rebounding, plus she is an outstanding teammate.”
The Silver Stars first picked up Mattera in a 2005 trade with Connecticut. The 6’8” center spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons with San Antonio, averaging 8.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 2005, then 7.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 2006. Following the 2006 season, San Antonio traded Mattera to Detroit for Ruth Riley. Mattera appeared in 34 games for the Shock, averaging 5.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. The Shock advanced all the way to the WNBA Finals that season, losing to Phoenix in the championship round with Mattera starting nine of 11 Detroit playoff games.
Mattera spent the 2008 season with the Atlanta Dream, averaging 6.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 33 games. Throughout her four-year WNBA career, she has averaged 7.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 135 games and 44 starts.
The defending Western Conference Champion Silver Stars open the 2009 season on the road at Phoenix before coming home to host the New York Liberty Saturday, June 13 with Dads and Daughter’s night in honor of Father’s Day.
