April 25, 2000

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Former Florida State women's basketball standout Latavia Coleman was the No. 48 selection in the WNBA Draft, held Tuesday afternoon in Secaucus, New Jersey. Coleman, who becomes the first Florida State women's basketball player to be drafted, was originally selected by the three-time WNBA champion Houston Comets in the third round. She was later traded to the Indiana Fever, an expansion team, for their two fourth-round draft picks, Latina Davis (Tennessee/ABL) and Renee Robinson (Virginia).

"When my name was called, there was an interview going on and when they came back they announced that Latavia Coleman had just been selected by the Houston Comets and I just couldn't believe it," Coleman said. "It's just good to know that I have been given the opportunity. Now I have to go and work hard and give it my all. It's all up to me now."

Coleman, a native of Macon, Ga., finished her Seminole career ranking fifth all-time in points with 1,428 and scoring average at 15.7 and is 10th all-time in rebounding with 603 boards. Last season, she earned second team All-ACC honors after leading the league in field goal percentage at 50 percent and ranking second in scoring at 16.1 points per game. She also earned ACC Tournament first team honors after scoring 31 points in FSU's win over Maryland.

"I am just so excited for Tay," Florida State Head Coach Sue Semrau said. "All that she's been through in her career -- the injuries, the adversity she's had to overcome -- this makes it all worth it. This is her reward and I am so proud of her."

Coleman will report to training camp this weekend.