(Ames) Iowa State senior forward/center Stephanie Soares became the 15th player in school history to be selected in the WNBA Draft on Monday evening when she was chosen by the Washington Mystics with the No. 4 pick. Moments later, Soares was traded to the Dallas Wings.
Soares is the highest draft pick in school history, with the previous high being Alison Lacey with the 10th pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft. She joins Lacey as the second first-round pick in school history.
Soares played just one season at Iowa State. It was cut short due to a knee injury suffered at Oklahoma on Jan. 8. She came to the Cyclones after a standout career at NAIA The Master’s University.
Despite playing just 13 games with the Cyclones, the Sao Paulo, Brazil native, she averaged 14.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game for the Cyclones, reaching double figures in 11 contests and recording eight double-doubles.
Her season-high of 23 points came in wins against UNI and Michigan State. Soares pulled down 20 rebounds against West Virginia, recording the sixth 20-rebound game in school history.
Before transferring to Iowa State, Soares was a two-time NAIA Division I Player of the Year.
Soares was the first Big 12 player selected in the draft.
Ashley Joens was taken in the 2nd Round.
