McIntyre Becomes First Ever Golden Eagle Drafted To WNBA

Vicky McIntyre created more history for the Oral Roberts University women's basketball program Thursday night as she was selected 20th overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2015 WNBA Draft.

McIntyre becomes the first ORU player to ever have her name called on draft night and will be the third Golden Eagle to appear in a camp with a WNBA team. The Omaha, Neb., native will join Elisha Turek (Chicago Sky) and Krista Ragan (Detroit Shock) as the only Golden Eagles to sign a WNBA contract, although neither Turek nor Ragan played in a regular season game.

After graduating from the University of Florida, McIntyre finished her collegiate eligibility with the Golden Eagles as she etched her name in ORU, Summit League and the NCAA record books in her final season. She finished with 536 rebounds to set the ORU and Summit League single-season record which was the second best mark ever in NCAA history. She averaged 15.8 rebounds per game to lead the nation while also setting the ORU and Summit League single-game record of 27 boards against Austin Peay November 29, 2014.

Her defensive prowess continued setting the ORU and Summit League single-season blocks record with 160 which also ranks seventh in the NCAA record books. She finished with 12 blocks in the Summit League Tournament quarterfinals to set the ORU and Summit League single-game record as she recorded her second triple-double of the year.

"This is so surreal to see something I have dreamed about my whole life become a reality," McIntyre said. "I'm so thankful to the Seattle Storm for giving me this opportunity."

She also etched her name in the ORU record books after recording 27 double-doubles which is also 12th best in a single-season in the NCAA records. She finished second in the country in double-doubles as her 4.7 blocks per game was also tops in the country during her senior season.

McIntyre's impact on the Golden Eagles helped return the program back to the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons earning a bid in the Women's Basketball Invitational. ORU advanced the WBI Semifinals before falling in a heartbreaker, 65-64, to the University of Louisiana.

We're immensely proud of the breakout season she had this year to end her collegiate career on. She filled a need for us with her maturity and experience as we had so many young players on the floor for us this season," said ORU Head Coach Misti Cussen.

"We are thrilled for Vicky being drafted by Seattle. It's a great opportunity for her, and it will be fantastic for our ORU community to be able to follow her in the WNBA and overseas this fall. It's a great spring time boost for our program and personnel to have this happen for Vicky, and we're blessed to have her as a Golden Eagle alum."

McIntyre arrived at ORU after one season at the University of Florida where she received a B.A in advertising in December 2013. Prior to her time with the Gators, she played two seasons at Oklahoma State where she helped the Cowgirls to back-to-back WNIT appearances including winning the 2012 WNIT.

The Seattle Storm had the first overall pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft as they selected Jewell Loyd from the Notre Dame. The Storm also had the third overall pick in which they selected Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis from National Champion UConn Huskies, who played against Loyd in the national championship game.

McIntyre was picked 20th overall with the eighth pick in the second round and becomes the highest ever Summit League player to be drafted and just the second ever. Zane Teilane from Western Illinois was drafted by the Detroit Shock in the third round during the 2006 WNBA Draft.

Seattle selected Nneka Enemkpali from the University of Texas with their final pick in the third round and 26th overall.