Women’s Star Lobo Taken In Usbl Draft

Rebecca Lobo always figured she would have to go to Europe if she wanted to play professional basketball. Turns out the star forward from Connecticut might have an opportunity a little closer to home.

Lobo, the consensus national player of the year in women’s college basketball, was drafted Wednesday by the Jersey Turnpikes, one of 10 entries in the United States Basketball League, a predominately male pro basketball league. Turnpikes general manager Dan Lunde said the selection, made in the 10th and final round, was not a publicity stunt.

“It’s legit. She impressed the hell out of me in the (NCAA) tournament and I think she deserves her shot,” Lunde said. “I think she’s one of the ones, the few, to come along who deserves a shot, and we’re giving her the opportunity to see if she can.”

The 6-foot-4 Lobo, who earned MVP honors while leading the Huskies to the NCAA title, averaged 17 points and 10.2 rebounds over her four-year career. She is the third woman to be drafted by the USBL. Cheryl Miller was selected in 1986 by the Staten Island Stallions and Sheryl Swoopes was taken in 1993 by the Jacksonville Hooters. The only woman to play in the USBL was city legend Nancy Lieberman, who played with the Springfield Fame and the Long Island Knights in 1985-86.

Also taken in Wednesday’s draft was Arthur Agee, one of the stars of the documentary “Hoop Dreams.” Agee, a 6-2 guard at Arkansas State, was drafted by the Florida Sharks in the first round.

Weber State guard Ruben Nembhard, who led the Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament surge, was the eighth player chosen in the second round of the territorial draft by Westchester.