Central Michigan University Athletics
Bradford Goes 7th to L.A. Sparks
4/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- It's on to L.A. for Central Michigan's Crystal Bradford.
Bradford, a senior guard, was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA draft on Thursday night.
"When they actually said the No. 7 pick, I was like, 'Please L.A., take me. I don't want to go any farther, please, please, please," said Bradford, who watched the draft on ESPN2 with friends and family in Detroit. "All I heard was just the beginning announcement of my name, and I hit a full lap. I ran, I screamed, I shouted, I cried and my family was there. It was great, it was awesome.
"I'm in the league. I just got drafted to the WNBA, something I've dreamed of my whole entire life. I'm proud everybody gets to celebrate tonight."
It was a proud moment for all involved with Central Michigan athletics, particularly women's basketball coach Sue Guevara.
"I'm just really excited for her, I really am, for the work that she's put in," Guevara said. "I'm happy for her teammates who have helped her to get where she is right now. I'm happy for our staff that has gotten her in the gym and has worked her out.
"I'm happy for her family. I'm happy for our university and for our program. This doesn't happen every year. It just doesn't. It's a very, very special moment for Crystal, for our program, and for her family. It's so special."
As is Bradford, who became the first Chippewa ever selected in the 19-year history of the WNBA draft and just the third player from a Mid-American Conference school.
Bradford was projected to be selected as high as sixth in the draft. Still, going seventh came as a surprise -- perhaps even a shock -- to Guevara.
When WNBA commissioner Laurel Richie announced Bradford's name during the telecast on ESPN2, Guevara said, "It's like, oh my God, that's awesome! Oh my God! CB went in the first round!"
Guevara said she had talked to many WNBA coaches and executives in the weeks leading up to the draft, and her feeling was that Bradford would be taken in the second round.
"Every single one of them had talked about her being available in the second round," Guevara said. "I had talked at length to both the GM (Penny Toler) and the head coach (Brian Agler) of the L.A. Sparks and kudos to them because they never tipped their hand."
The Sparks finished fourth in the six-team Western Division last season and lost a first-round playoff series to the eventual-champion Phoenix Mercury.
Bradford, who is on schedule to graduate from CMU in May, will report to training camp on May 16. The Sparks open the 34-game regular-season schedule on June 6 at Seattle. The season ends on Sept. 11.
"What the coach needs from me, I'll give," Bradford said. "I'm ready to become a professional now. I'm ready to become a sponge and soak up everything that I have to learn. Health is always No. 1. As long as I'm healthy, I'll perform."
Bradford turned in a remarkable career at CMU and leaves as the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. A knee injury late in her junior season hampered her throughout the 2014-15 campaign.
She was the MAC Player of the Year and the MAC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, was a four-time all-conference selection, and a two-time All-America nominee.
Whle the rehabilitated knee may have been a concern heading into the draft, the Sparks regarded her highly enough to make her the seventh pick. That speaks volumes, Guevara said.
"I think her biggest thing right now is getting herself in shape for when she has to report to camp," Guevara said. "I know she's been in the gym, but I think now getting in and getting up and down the floor is going to be key for her to get herself in shape."
There isn't any doubt in Guevara's mind that Bradford has all the tools. Still, she added, that simply because Bradford was taken in the draft doesn't automatically mean she will make the team.
"It takes a special kind of player," she said. "Everybody I had talked to talked about Crystal, it was about (her) being able to create her own shot. She can go off the dribble, she can shoot three, and her ability to rebound and her ability to pass the ball."
"To be successful, first she's got to make the team. Because you're the first-round pick doesn't mean you make the team."
Carolyn Peck, one of the ESPN commentators during the draft, said on the broadcast that Bradford "is street tough and this is a woman that can go hard to the basket. ... She has a scorer's mentality. She's got great basketball instincts. She can also strengthen the defense and knock down the three."
Said Rebecca Lobo, who also served as a commentator during the draft: "This is a player who at 6-foot is a very good three-point shooter and she's a smooth offensive player. She has room to really refine her game. She's a raw talent who can definitely help L.A."
