Tulsa Shock Draft Glory Johnson With Fourth Overall Pick

The Tulsa Shock added some fresh new talent and faces to its roster Monday with its selections in this year's WNBA Draft.

Overall, Tulsa added Tennessee's Glory Johnson and Vicki Baugh along with Miami's Riquna Williams and Maryland's Lynetta Kizer.

Tulsa used its fourth overall pick in the 2012 WNBA draft to select Glory Johnson.

Johnson, a forward out of the University of Tennessee, was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in rebounds, ranking fifth in scoring and seventh in blocks.

"I'm just really excited. The draft was so unpredictable, I'm just really excited to come to Tulsa and make an impact," said Johnson. "It's a young team that's still developing. It's good that I can come in and help this team develop and help as much as possible defensively and offensively and even being a leader, being a vocal leader on the bench. I want to help this team in any way I can."

"We weren't sure what Seattle was going to do but once they took Stricklen, we realized we could get Johnson at four," said Shock President Steve Swetoha. "She will be up and down the court, very athletic, we can't be any happier right now."

The 6'3 forward averaged 14.3 points and 9.8 rebounds last year for the Lady Vols. On her career, Johnson averaged 11.2 points. 8.4 rebounds while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.

Johnson brings a strong paint presence to the Shock on both ends of the floor. Her average of a near double-double and athletic presence in the front court will provide a noticeable impact from day one.

"She's one of those players, she reminds me of Tamika Catchings coming out of college," Head Coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "She has a high octane motor. We know we have some work to do offensively to get her better but one thing we know is that she's a workaholic, she will be put the time in."

With its 17th overall pick, Tulsa drafted former Miami guard Riquna Williams.

Last year, Williams was a First Team All-ACC player while leading the conference in three-point FGs made with 36.8 percent while she ranked third in scoring and sixth in steals. Williams averaged 17.2 points per game last season while she tallied 71 steals and 77 assists in 30 games.

Tulsa then selected Tennessee forward/center Vicki Baugh with the 25 pick. Last year Baugh led the team with 59.9 percent field goal average while also averaging seven points per game. Baugh also ranks 13th in Tennessee history with 94 blocks.

With its 29th selection, the Shock drafted Maryland's Lynetta Kizer. The 6'4 center averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game last year while being named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament Team and Honorable Mention team.

Stanford forward Nnemkadi Ogwumike was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks.

The Seattle Storm had the second overall pick and selected Tennessee's Shekinna Stricklen while the Minnesota Lynx picked Notre Dame forward Deveraux Peters with the third overall selection.

The Shock looks for much improvement this season after winning only three games last season with a 3-31 record. Tulsa opens the preseason at Atlanta on May 5 followed by the season opener against San Antonio May19 in Tulsa. Tip time for the opener is set for 7 p.m.