Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Interview with Shona Thorburn After WNBA Draft
4/5/2006 12:00 AM | Women's Basketball
April 5, 2006
SALT LAKE CITY -- It has been a busy day in the WNBA. However, former University of Utah standout Shona Thorburn and Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Suzie McConnell Serio took a few minutes out of their busy schedules for an interview with Utah Sports Information Wednesday afternoon.
Interview with Shona Thorburn
What are your overall thoughts about this experience right now?
"I think I'm still in shock. It's a little surreal right now. I'm just so excited. I really think I'm going to a team that I can contribute to, learn a lot from and just have a good time and win some basketball games."
On being the first Utah player ever taken in a WNBA Draft -
"We were relatively unknown coming into the draft. Some of the people at the draft didn't even know who Kim and I were. But it is a huge honor to be the first players drafted from Utah. I'm extremely proud that I can say I went to Utah and look what I've accomplished."
On Draft Day -
"It was a huge relief when I heard my name. I don't think it still has quite sunk in yet. But this has capped off a great season and I couldn't ask for more right now. I saw Kim backstage, after she had been called, and we just went running up to each other and hugged. This is a huge accomplishment for both of us. I got so many messages from my teammates back home. Just like the entire last four years, I couldn't have done this without my teammates."
Are you are aware that there's an opening for a quality point guard with the Lynx. Does that put any pressure on you going into this first professional season?
"I am aware of it. I don't think it puts any more pressure on me than I put on myself to get better and contribute to a team. I'm going to work hard either way."
In what ways do you feel you can contribute to the Lynx?
"I've only played point guard for two years, so I have a lot to learn at the point guard position. I think I can help them out in the fact that I'm only going to get better, I think. All around, I think I'm a very solid basketball player. I can rebound, I can pass and I can score, and I like to think I can play defense. So depending on what they want, I'm willing to give them that."
Did you think Minnesota was a possible destination for you?
"I thought it was a possible chance that I would go early, but I was up against some other very good point guards in Nikki Blue, Megan Duffy, Erin Grant. So you really don't know until your name's called."
Interview with Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Suzie McConnell Serio
Can you give some insight on your selection of Shona Thorburn
"In all honestly we were at one of her games looking at one of her opponents and noticed her. We liked a lot of things about her -- her toughness, her ability to create, she can get into the paint at will, she creates for her teammates and she rebounds very well. Late in the game, when the game is on the line, she playes with a sense of urgency and has the ability to put a team on her shoulders. Over the course of the season and in Utah's run through the Mountain West and NCAA Tournaments, she stepped up her game even more. With the players on our roster and with Seimone Augustus, we feel she's the perfect player to come in, run our team and distribute the ball."
Do you expect Thorburn to make an impact right away?
"We expect her to contribute. The number-seven pick isn't always guaranteed to be a starter in this league. Nothing at this level is guaranteed for anybody. We we do expect Shona to come in and contribute. From here on out, it is up to her. We don't have a starting point guard returning, so she will have every opportunity to earn a spot from the beginning."
How do you feel about getting Thorburn and Seimone Augustus in the first round?
"We're very excited about those two. Those are the two players we all agreed upon that we wanted. Shona was one of just two point guards taken in the first round. But we needed to make an addition at that spot. Shona's already starting her relationship with Seimone. I talked to Shona earlier and she said 'I told her you don't know me very well yet, but I'm going to get you the ball.' That's a good sign."
-UU-
Players Mentioned
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