|
|
 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Fortner seeks help at all positions
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- It's been about 18 months since Nell Fortner was named coach and general manager of the WNBA's Indiana Fever, one of four expansion teams that began play last season. On Friday, Fortner makes her first draft selections in her new position as she attempts to improve a team that finished 9-23 last year. "We have to improve everywhere," Fortner said Monday. "We weren't given the luxury of an allotted player. Most of the teams were allotted two great players. The four expansion teams weren't given that luxury, so we started from a little different place." Fortner holds two first-round draft picks and three of the first 19 overall selections in the draft and five overall. "Getting help for us in all areas is a priority," said Fortner, who had to observe the team long distance last year while completing her job as head coach of the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team. That job ended with a perfect 8-0 mark in the Olympics, capping a run that produced a 101-14 record since she took the job in 1997. Since then Fortner has been reviewing video from last season and scouting the college and international ranks to prepare for the draft. "I thought that [rookie forward] Monica Maxwell was a pleasant surprise for the Fever. She just had a bust-out year. I was very proud of her," Fortner said. "Also, Rita Williams proved that she is a legitimate point guard in this league." Another returnee Fortner is counting on is former Purdue All-American Stephanie McCarty, the Indiana Miss Basketball who went on to lead the Boilermakers to an NCAA championship. The 5-foot-9 guard was bothered by injuries last season, although she played in all 32 games with 12 starts. "I think that Stephanie looks great. She has worked hard in the weight room and her conditioning. She is a versatile player and I'm looking forward to her having a good summer," said Fortner, who coached her one year at Purdue. "I think she will play a big role for us." Fortner also worked as a commentator on ESPN during the NCAA tournament, a role that allowed her to see many of the prospects who will be selected during the four rounds of the draft and to search for qualities in players beyond their playing time. Fortner's big move since last season was the trade of center Kara Wolters, last season's leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker who was also a member of the gold medal Olympic team last year. The Fever received Sacramento's first-round pick in exchange for Wolters, who averaged 11.9 points with 49 blocks and 164 rebounds last season. "The trade was a good one for us for several reasons. First of all, it's a very deep draft. We need a lot of help,' Fortner said. "You have to give something to get something. It was not an easy trade for me, but in order to make this team better overall we felt that it was the right trade."
| ||||||||||||||||||||
