Shoni Schimmel Drafted by the Atlanta Dream

By Brent Cahwee, NDNSPORTS.COM

(Connecticut) – With the 8th selection in the first round of the 2014 WNBA draft, Indian Country’s own Shoni Schimmel was selected by the Atlanta Dream. With her first round selection, Shoni becomes the 3^rd Native American woman to be drafted in the WNBA.

Hailing from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation out of Oregon, Shoni also becomes the highest drafted Native American woman as well into the Women’s National Basketball Association. Others Native Americans drafted previously by the WNBA include Tahnee Robinson (Northern Cheyenne) and Angel Goodrich (Cherokee Nation) who currently plays for the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock.

This season Shoni performed the best, in all statistical categories, out of her four year career at the University of Louisville which immediately made her a first round worthy draft pick. Shoni led the Cardinals in scoring with 17.1 points per game and she led the Cardinals in assists with 3.8 per game. She also became the second player in school history to score 2,000 career points along with former standout Angel McCoughtry. Shoni currently ranks second on Louisville’s all-time scoring list with 2,143 points. Other career totals include a career 596 assists and pulled down 547 career rebounds.

Also this season, Schimmel was named to the USBWA All-American team and named a second team ESPNW All-American. She was a WBCA All-Region I selection named a first team All-American Athletic Conference and earned all-tournament honors. She was also named a Naismith semifinalist and named to the Wooden ballot.

Sports analyst had Shoni going in the bottom half of the draft on different draft mock websites but ultimately she was drafted in the number 8 spot. Primarily known as a 3 point shooter, Schimmel also became a great distributor of the ball this season and got her teammates involved and that is what she will be expected to do at the next level.

Shoni said, “Its definitely a blessing to be able to be in the WNBA…I definitely think I can bring a little flavor to the league”

Schimmel was supported on the evening by her parents, Rick and Ceci Schimmel and her sister Jude Schimmel, who will be a senior next fall for the Louisville Cardinals.