Thorburn, Smith make history with first-round WNBA picks

Shona Thorburn and Kim Smith made history once again.

The Canadian duo, who led the University of Utah to the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight before losing in overtime to eventual national champion Maryland, became the first Utes to be drafted by the WNBA.

Thorburn was taken seventh overall by the Minnesota Lynx and Smith was tabbed 13th by the defending league champion Sacramento Monarchs.

"I think I'm still in shock. It's a little surreal right now. I'm just so excited," Thorburn said. "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."

Smith was equally enthused about being taken in the first round.

"It is a pretty unbelievable feeling. I was just sitting there, almost not expecting to hear my name called," she said. "But when they did call my name, it was just an amazing feeling."

Thorburn and Smith were joined at the gathering Wednesday in Boston by Utah coach Elaine Elliott and her staff.

"It couldn't have been any better. They've done so much for us and they've worked so hard to make things happen," Elliott said of Thorburn and Smith. "It's just an honor to have had them and watch them do so much for our program. It's been fun for all of us."

The Utes were the first team to have two players selected in this year's draft.

"That's pretty cool. All it is going to do is help the school and the program," Smith said. "I think it could really help recruiting. If it is a good thing for Utah, that's great."

Minnesota coach Suzie McConnell Serio said the Lynx discovered Thorburn while scouting one of her opponents. They took notice of Thorburn's toughness, creativity and ability to get into the paint.

"She creates for her teammates and she rebounds very well. Late in the game, when the game is on the line, she plays with a sense of urgency and has the ability to put a team on her shoulders," Serio said. "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."

Thorburn, she added, is the perfect player to come in, run the team and distribute the ball.

"We do expect Shona to come in and contribute," Serio said. "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."

Smith is also stepping into a good situation. She's joining the defending league champions.

"I like to win and I'm going to a team that wins. That's nice," Smith said. "I've always been a small-city girl. Hopefully it will be similar to Salt Lake and I'll be able to fit in well."

Sacramento coach John Whisenant is optimistic things will work out.