May 31, 2006

As the 10th season of the Women's National Basketball Association, better known as the WNBA, begins, NC State has much to be proud of throughout its celebration. The Wolfpack has seen 13 former players see action among the nation's only professional women's basketball league. The Houston Comets drafted Tiffany Stansbury, a 2004-06 Wolfpack team member. But prior to her selection by the four-time world champions, Stansbury saw the groundwork completed by her Wolfpack family members, 12 of them in fact. Leading the way among the group is Andrea Stinson, who became the first player in Charlotte Sting history to have her No. 32 jersey retired. She was hired to be the Sting's Community Relations liaison.

Joining Stinson as one the WNBA's top players is eight-year league member, All-Star Chasity Melvin, now with the Washington Mystics. The Wolfpack's other current members of the WNBA staff or players group are Tynesha Lewis, now in her sixth-season and playing with the Minnesota Lynx, Trudi Lacey, General Manager of the Charlotte Sting and Susan Yow, assistant coach of the Minnesota Lynx. Other former Wolfpack players who have signed with WNBA teams include, Trena Trice-Hill, now an assistant coach under NC State head coach Kay Yow, Kaayla Chones, Summer Erb, Sharon Manning, Umeki Webb, Jennifer Howard, Sharon Manning and Rhonda Mapp.

NC State Women's Basketball WNBA History

State - WNBA Draft History
- 2006 Tiffany Stansbury, Houston Comets
- 2004 Kaayla Chones, Washington Mystics
- 2001 Tynesha Lewis, Houston Comets
- 2000 Summer Erb, Charlotte Sting
- 1999 Chasity Melvin, Cleveland Rockers, currently with Washington Mystics
- 1997 Andrea Stinson, Sharon Manning, Rhonda Mapp all taken by Charlotte Sting
- 1997 Trena Trice-Hill, New York Liberty and Umeki Webb, Phoenix Mercury
- Jennifer Howard signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Rockers in 1997

NC State - WNBA Other Notes
- Trudi Lacey was head coach of the Charlotte Sting (2003-2004) and is now the general manager (2005-present)
- Susan Yow spent time with the Cleveland Rockers (1999-2000) and the Charlotte Sting as an assistant coach (2000-2001) and is now an assistant with the Minnesota Lynx and coaching Tynesha Lewis
- Currently Chasity Melvin and Tynesha Lewis are the two former Wolfpack players still playing in the WNBA. Melvin is in her eighth season overall in the league and third with the Mystics. She played two seasons with Kaayla Chones, before Chones was sent to the Seattle Storm. Lewis is in her sixth season overall and second with Minnesota.
- Kaayla Chones and Tiffany Stansbury did not sign contracts for the 2006 season as of May 31.
- Trudi Lacey continues to fill the general manager position with the Charlotte Sting.
- Lacey did coach for the Sting and while she directed them also coached former Wolfpack players Summer Erb, Andrea Stinson and Tynesha Lewis.

WNBA Website

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