24 -;The Michigan Daily - Friday, April 14, 2000

Thomas invited to Pre-Draft camp

"F

8y Dena Beth Krischer
Daily Sports Writer
Oh, the places she'll go.
.Senior forward Stacey Thomas has
been invited to attend the invitation-
only 2000 Women's National
Iasketball Association Pre-Draft
amp at the Moody Bible Institute in
Chicago. The camp started yesterday
and will continue through Saturday.
'The pre-draft camp is composed of
about 100 players - college seniors,
veterans with professional experience
and international players - all who
have. been hand-picked by the WNBA
personnel department.
"I addition, about 25 players who
were eligible last year will participate
at the camp, but will not be eligible for
the 2000 Draft. Instead, they will be
assigned to teams once the draft is
completed.
"The pre-draft camp is an opportuni-
ty for team personnel to look at players
up close and personal in a competitive
environment," said director of WNBA
communications Mark Pray.
"Representatives from every WNBA
team will be there."
How each player performs at camp
will determine whether or not she will
be invited back for the annual draft on
Tuesday, Apr. 25.

"I don't know the level of competi-
tion,' freshman center LeeAnn Bies
said. "But I'm sure if she plays her
game, stays calm and does what she
needs to do, she'll do great."
Thomas finished her reign at
Michigan with a bang, becoming only
the second Wolverine in the history of
the Michigan women's basketball pro-
gram to be named to be named first
team all-Big Ten.
Thomas holds the Big Ten steals
record with 372, breaking the old
record back on Jan. 8 against Purdue,
and ranks 21st on the NCAA all-time
steals list.
In the 1999-2000 season, Thomas
led the Wolverines in scoring (14.5
ppg), rebounds (7.7 rpg) and steals (3.4
spg).
She ranks in 12 of Michigan's 14
career categories and is in the top five
with points (fourth, 1,556), rebounds
(second, 851), steals, blocked shots
(fifth, 80) and games played (first,
115).
"We had a team meeting and coach
said Stacey wouldn't be at the team
banquet because she'd be at draft
camp," Bies said. "We expected it.
We're happy for her"
The prospective players will be test-
ed on their skill, hop and shot over the
course of the three days.

When Thomas reported to the camp
at 8:30 a.m. yesterday, she and the
other campers underwent a day-long
physical examination that will be con-
ducted by league-appointed medical
personnel.
On Friday and Saturday, she will par-
take in on-court sessions at Moody
Bible Institute's Solheim Center
Gymnasium. The first half of the
morning, the players will compete in
drills and halfcourt games after a 15-
minute warmup.
After media interviews and an hour-
and-a-half lunch break, the players will
be divided up into six teams that will
play five hours of fullcourt games.
Being invited to the camp is a definite
honor for Thomas, but whether or not
she's selected is another story.
"It's something you strive for" Bies
said of being invited to the WNBA.
"It's not something you plan."
If selected in the draft, Thomas will
be the second Wolverine to play in the
WNBA. Pollyanna Johns was the first
Wolverine to be drafted back in 1998
by the Charlotte Sting.
Draft picks and their teammates will
report to training camp at their respec-
tive teams' training facilities on May 3,
and will begin playing preseason
games on May 13. The WNBA tips off
on May 29.


Forward Stacey
Thomas is get-
ting ready for
more than just
finals this week-
end. The senior is
also prepping her-
self for the WNBA
Pre-Draft camp.
y> " DANNY KALICK/Daily
PGA may
be in future
for Harris
HARRIS
Continued from Page 15
opportunity to go to the NCAA
Regionals and nationals for the first
time since 1997. That year they fin-
ished third in the Big Ten.
They are currently in fourth in
their district. The top six teams
qualify for regionals. One individ-
ual qualifies and that would be
Harris.
A CAREER ON THE COURSE?
Soon, win or lose, Mike Harris
will end his career at Michigan but
it may not be the end of his career
on the course. Harris will try to
qualify for the PGA tour. Since
Carras started coaching, only John
Morse and Ed Humenik have made*-
the tour.
"Harris did more than those kids
did," Carras said.
There are no guarantees, but there
are also no limits for a kid who sets
his sights on winning every time
out.
"I am very realistic. I know you
can never count on the future or live
in the past," Harris said. "If your
dreams are meant to be, they wilW
be."
Classes are
over, but the
Michigan
sports season
is still in
session.
Stick with
Daily Sports
--- wveek ly -
to keep
yourself in
the know.

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