April 25, 2000

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke's own Peppi Browne was drafted on Tuesday by Charlotte Sting in the third round of the WNBA draft. She becomes only the second women's basketball player at Duke to be drafted as Michele VanGorp was drafted last year by the New York Liberty.

"When I did get the news I was drafted, I was half asleep," said Browne. "I was excited to an extent, unfortunately, I was tired when I received the news so I probably wasn't as excited as I might of shown."

Browne, a native of Silver Spring, Md., was the 43rd player drafted and the third of four players taken by the Sting. Other players selected were Summer Erb (N.C. State), Tiffany Travis (Florida), Jill Morton (Louisville), and Shaka Massey (Louisiana Tech). Browne on getting drafted by the Charlotte Sting, "Getting drafted by Charlotte was a surprise. I really didn't know who was interested and didn't have much information on my draft status. Being drafted on the first day is amazing and going to a team which is on the east coast is exciting."

The Blue Devil senior played in 20 games this season before tearing her ACL on January 27 against North Carolina. Browne averaged 13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds, while being named to the All-ACC First Team. She had surgery back in March and has received clearance to start gradually playing again.

"My swelling has gone down and now it is basically a matter of getting my confidence and muscle mass back," said Browne. "I have been cleared to do half court drills and shooting drills."