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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fast Break

Women’s basketball

January invited to WNBA draft

The WNBA draft is in New York this afternoon and according to a mock draft on WNBA.com Lewis and Clark graduate Briann January could be drafted seventh.

The Arizona State senior captain finished her career with a loss to eventual national champion Connecticut in the Elite Eight – the Sun Devils’ second appearance in the final eight, both during January’s career. The 5-foot-7 guard was invited to New York for the draft.

Two other local products have been drafted, the most recent being January’s ASU teammate Emily Westerberg. She was drafted in the third round in 2007 and chose not to play. Mead grad Stacy Clinesmith was taken by Sacramento in the second round, 30th overall, of the 2000 draft after finishing her career at Santa Barbara. She played three seasons in the WNBA.

Men’s basketball

ASU’s Harden will try NBA

All-America guard James Harden is leaving Arizona State for the NBA.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore and Pac-10 player of the year will hire an agent, ending any chance of returning to the Sun Devils.

“I felt I’m ready for it as far as taking my game to the next level,” he said.

Harden led the Pac-10 in scoring at 20.1 a game.

NBA

Ex-Sonic Webster found dead

Marvin Webster, a fierce shot-blocking center who helped lead the Seattle SuperSonics to the 1978 NBA Finals, was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Tulsa, Okla. He was 56.

His body was discovered in his room Monday morning in the downtown Ambassador Hotel, police said Wednesday.

Foul play is not suspected and the death apparently stemmed from an illness, police spokesman Jason Willingham said. He added that the former 7-foot-1 center had been living at the hotel. The medical examiner office said the cause of death has not been determined.

Known as “The Human Eraser,” Webster spent nine seasons in the NBA. He averaged 16.1 points during the SuperSonics’ playoff run in 1978.

His son, Marvin Webster Jr., played college basketball at Temple but died during his sophomore year at 18 after a heart attack.

Associated Press Associated Press