Charles taken No. 1 in WNBA draft

SECAUCUS, N.J. - UConn center Tina Charles was selected first by the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA draft on Thursday, less than two days after helping the Huskies win their second straight national championship.

Charles averaged more than 18 points and nine rebounds while leading UConn to an NCAA Division I-record 78 straight victories over the past two seasons. The Sun traded with the Minnesota Lynx in the offseason to get The Associated Press player of the year. They also acquired her
former UConn teammate Renee Montgomery in exchange for Monica Wright, the second pick in the draft, and former University of Minnesota star Lindsay Whalen.

Charles joined Sue Bird (2002) and Diana Taurasi (2004) as the only UConn players taken with the top overall pick.

Kansas forward Danielle McCray was also picked up by the Sun. The 5-foot-11 native of Olathe was unable to complete her senior season after tearing the ACL in her left knee in February. She's expected to join the Sun in August after completing rehab.

McCray was chosen by Big 12 coaches as the 2009 preseason conference player of the year. She completed her Kansas career with 1,934 points, fourth on the Kansas all-time scoring chart. She also ranks in the Jayhawk record books in the top 10 in eight other categories, including second in 3-pointers made with 205.