NEW YORK – One of the best reactions at Thursday night’s WNBA Draft happened
when the Washington Mystics selected Maryland guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
with the No. 6 overall pick. The family members at her table erupted in cheers,
especially Walker-Kimbrough’s mother, who tried to fight back tears as she
hugged her sharpshooting daughter.
Walker-Kimbrough’s mom is known for getting so nervous during Maryland games
that she can’t bear to watch. She would often station herself on the concourse
rather than remaining in her seat, and if she was at home, her eyes would often
be fixated on something other than the television.
Thursday night, Walker-Kimbrough and her mom were front and center as ESPN’s
cameras captured the special moment.
“It’s so surreal. I’ve been thinking about this since I came out of the womb, I
feel,” Walker-Kimbrough told WNBA.com. “I’ve just been putting my head down and
working to get to this goal. The fact that it’s here is so surreal. I’m really
excited to start the next chapter in my life.”
Other than just getting drafted, one main reason for her family’s jubilant
reaction Thursday night was that Walker-Kimbrough doesn’t need to travel far to
start her professional career. Less than 10 miles, in fact.
“Maryland fans are the greatest fans in the country,” she said. “They support
you through thick and thin. I’m so excited to be just down the street from them.
Coach [Brenda Frese] has helped me prepare for this moment not only as a person
but as a leader.”
Walker-Kimbrough is originally from Western Pennsylvania, and she’ll remain
close enough to home that her family can continue attending games.
Perhaps the top outside shooter in this draft – she led the nation by draining
nearly 55 percent of her three-point attempts as a senior – Walker-Kimbrough
joins a Mystics squad that already boasted some of the best in that department.
Emma Meesseman and the newly-acquired Elena Delle Donne had two of the three
best three-point shooting marks among frontcourt players last season. And
free-agent signing Kristi Toliver, another Maryland alum, is coming off an
outstanding season of 42.4 percent from deep.
Walker-Kimbrough couldn’t have asked for a better draft night. She gets to stay
home and play for a team that most feel is a title contender, one that features
veteran stars she can learn from during the early stages of her career.
“I know they’re going to help me be the best Shatori I can be,” she said. “With
coach [Mike] Thibault, I feel like he’s a phenomenal coach. He used to come to
our practices. I remember seeing him as a freshman and not knowing who he is.
Now calling him coach, it seems surreal.”
