Minnesota chooses Hollingsworth in first round

Virginia Commonwealth University post player Quanitra Hollingsworth was chosen by the Minnesota Lynx in first round of this afternoon's WNBA draft. Hollingsworth, a 6-5 senior from Chesapeake, was the ninth player selected and the second player taken by the Lynx in the first round. Minnesota took Connecticut point guard Renee Montgomery with the fourth overall pick.

Hollingsworth, a 20-year-old who entered high school at age 11 and college at 15, helped the Rams secure the first NCAA tournament bid in program history in 2008-09. She averaged 14.8 points and 9.5 rebounds to earn first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association distinction. VCU and WNBA insiders believe Hollingsworth added significantly to her draft-day appeal by delivering a double-double (16 points and 11 rebounds) in the Rams' 57-51 NCAA Tournament loss to Rutgers and heralded post player Kia Vaughn.

Two other players from state schools were chosen early in the second round. The San Antonio Silver Stars, who did not have a first-round pick, selected Liberty forward Megan Frazee with the first pick of the second round, the 14th overall. The Connecticut Sun chose Virginia guard/forward Lyndra Littles with the fourth pick of the second round, the 17th overall.

In other noteworthy first-round developments, Louisville All-American Angel McCoughtry was chosen first overall by the Atlanta Dream; and Maryland All-American Kristi Toliver, a Harrisonburg native, was selected third overall by the Chicago Sky. -- Vic Dorr