Shock Trades Riley To Phoenix For Temeka Johnson

The Tulsa Shock made its first trade of the season under new head coach Gary Kloppenburg as Thursday the team announced it has traded former Oklahoma State guard Andrea Riley to Phoenix in exchange for guard Temeka Johnson.

Johnson, a 5'3 point guard, started 30 games for the Mercury last year and averaged 6.4 points and 4.4 assists in 23.9 minutes a game. In seven seasons in the WNBA, Johnson has started 181 of the 198 games she has played in and is averaging 7.9 points and 4.5 assists in 24.9 minutes a game. She helped lead the Phoenix Mercury to the 2009 WNBA Championship over the Indiana Fever in five games.

"She's a proven winner and played point guard on a championship team in 2009," Head Coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "She plays tough hard-nose defense and will be great for us in the transition game."

Johnson was selected in the first round (sixth overall) by the Washington Mystics in the 2005 WNBA Draft and was named Rookie of the Year in her first season. Between Los Angeles and Phoenix, Johnson has started 25 of her 31 career playoff games, averaging 7.9 points and 4.4 assists in 25.1 minutes during the post-season.

"She brings veteran experience that will help lead this team from the point guard position," President Steve Swetoha said. "She's exactly the type of high character and experienced player that we want to build this team around in 2012."

Andrea Riley averaged 6.0 points and 1.8 assists in 19 games with the Shock in 2011. She was selected in the first round (eighth overall) by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2010 WNBA Draft and was acquired by the Shock last off-season in exchange for a second round pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft.

"We wish Andrea nothing but success with Phoenix and we thank her for her contributions this past season." Swetoha said.

"I'm so blessed I never thought I would feel this way new chapter in my life and I love it and living it and thanking God to the fullest," said Riley via her personal Twitter account Thursday night.