May 3, 2000

LEXINGTON, Kty. – Kentucky women’s basketball seniors Erica Jackson, Tiffany Waitand Shantia Owens will participate in the WNBA training camp which opensWednesday, May 3 at the teams’ training facilities.

Jackson (Lexington, Ky.) was invited to participate with theCharlotte Sting after two impressive seasons at Kentucky. The 5-6 guardaveraged 10.7 points and 3.1 assists per game as a senior, leading theCats in assists and steals both seasons. Wait (Hot Springs, Ark.), a5-11 guard, was chosen for the Orlando Miracle’s training camp after atryout last weekend. Wait, who averaged 9.6 ppg as a senior, becameUK’s sixth all-time leading scorer, scoring 1,445 points in her career.

“I knew I played solidly at the tryout in Orlando, but therewere so many good players down there wanting to make the cut for thetraining camp,” Wait said. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime andI’m going to enjoy it while it lasts.”

Senior Shantia Owens (Newark, N.J.), who was drafted in thefourth round by the Phoenix Mercury last week before being traded to theMiami Sol, will participate in training camp in Miami. Owens, a 6-4center, led the Cats in rebounding and blocked shots two straightseasons, averaging 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 1999-00.Owens was UK’s first-ever WNBA draft pick.

WNBA teams are allowed a maximum of 18 players on their trainingcamp rosters. Jackson and Wait were among approximately 93 non-draftedplayers that were added to teams by the league based on teams’preferences and competitive considerations.

The preseason games begin on Saturday, May 13 with each teamallowed to play a maximum of four games. The WNBA’s fourth season willtip off on Monday, May 29.