University of Georgia Athletics
Sherill Baker Picked By New York In WNBA Draft
April 05, 2006 | Women's Basketball
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia's Sherill Baker was selected by the New York Liberty in the first round of the WNBA Draft on Wednesday afternoon, becoming the Lady Bulldogs' seventh first-round pick in the last six drafts.
"This is a dream come true," Baker said. "Sometimes I have a hard time believing all this is happening. It's going to be quite and adjustment going from the South to New York, but I'm so excited about the opportunity. I'm just looking forward to trying to contribute in any way I can."
ESPN analyst Doris Burke gave Baker's selection high marks.
"I think Sherill Baker could be the steal of the first round," Burke said.
Baker was the No. 12 overall pick in the draft.
Georgia's tally of seven first-rounders between 2001-06 ranks second nationally behind only Connecticut's total of eight. Following the Huskies and Lady Bulldogs are Tennessee with six, LSU with five and North Carolina and Oklahoma with four.
During that same time frame, the Southeastern Conference has produced 24 first-round picks, more than twice as many as any other league in the nation.
Baker, a 5-7 guard from Stone Mountain, Ga., was a solid starter for Georgia during her first three seasons in Athens, but she blossomed into an All-American during her senior campaign. After averaging a 10.8 points during her freshman, sophomore and junior years combined, Baker averaged 18.7 points as a senior. She posted three 20-point outings during 99 games played in her first three seasons at Georgia but contributed 13 such performances during the 2005-06 season.
It was Baker's defense, however, that drew the most attention. She led the nation in steals this season by a wide margin at 4.7 thefts per game. Baker finished the year with 149 steals, breaking both the Georgia and Southeastern Conference single-season records. In the process, she shattered the UGA and SEC career steals records as well. Baker's 426 career steals surpassed Teresa Edwards' 20-year-old Lady Bulldog record by 84 steals and the previous league record by 54 thefts. She finished her career ranked No. 9 in NCAA history in career steals and No. 11 in single-season thefts.
Seven former Lady Bulldogs played in the WNBA during the 2005 season headlined by first-team All-WNBA pick Deanna "Tweety" Nolan of the Detroit Shock. All told, 16 Georgia standouts have gone on to play in the league.
