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Peck, Douglas to reunite

Orlando drafts Boiler with 10th overall pick

Liz Nicol/Senior Photographer

BIG TIME: Katie Douglas dribbles the ball against pressure from Southwest Missouri State's Jackie Stiles. Douglas was selected 10th in the 2001 WNBA draft by the Orlando Miracle and will play for former Purdue coach Carolyn Peck; Stiles went to Portland with the fourth overall pick.

By Anne McLaren
Assistant Sports Editor

Katie Douglas became Purdue's first WNBA first-round draft pick when she was the No. 10 overall pick by the Orlando Miracle Friday.

"To hear your name called in the WNBA Draft is a tremendous accomplishment," said Douglas. "It's a thrill to come to this moment and have that accomplishment."

The more interesting part of the pick, however, is that Douglas will rejoin former Purdue coach Carolyn Peck, who coached the Boilers to the national championship in 1999. Peck is the coach and general manager of the Miracle.

"She is one of the best young coaches in the league," said Douglas in an interview on ESPN2 immediately after her selection. "Obviously her and I have a great relationship. She coached me two years and I know her style of play. I'm just excited to be going to Orlando."

Peck was Purdue's coach during Douglas' freshman and sophomore seasons, when the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 8.6 points per game and 14.1 points per game, respectively.

The last two seasons, however, playing a bigger role, Douglas averaged 20.4 and 15.5 points per game, respectively.

Douglas is glad she went to the Miracle.

"I had two 'tops' that I wanted to go to and Orlando was right up there, along with Indiana," said Douglas in her post-draft interview. "But, I'm very excited about going to Orlando."

Douglas said that it makes the hurt and pain of losing a coach, especially after a national championship season, somewhat alleviated.

"Having your coach go to the WNBA and go professional, and then to get the opportunity to play with her again and to be reunited with her is very special," said Douglas.

Orlando's other picks included Florida State's Brooke Wycoff (6-1 forward), the 26th overall pick; Kansas' Jaclyn Johnson (6-1 forward), the 42nd overall pick; and Michigan's Anne Thorius (5-11 guard), the 58th overall pick.

These players join an established Miracle squad that returns all five starters from a team that went 16-16 last year and qualified for the playoffs. This is the third season for Orlando, a former expansion team.

"I think I'm going to have to get stronger and quicker because they have such great athletes," said Douglas. "But I have a strong work ethic and I'm willing to get better every day. I'm just excited about being drafted."

She is now ready to compete.

"I definitely hate to lose," she said. "I'm just ready to go out there and work hard and try to win every game I can."

More Accolades

The draft honors weren't the only respect Douglas received.

Douglas is a native of Indianapolis. Her home city has given Douglas a good deal of recognition. On Sunday, Douglas threw out the first pitch at the Indianapolis Indians game.

Indianapolis mayor Bart Peterson has declared today as Katie Douglas day. Douglas will be honored in a ceremony at 7:45 a.m. in her high school gym.

According to a press release from the City of Indianapolis Mayor's Office, "Peterson will honor her with a proclamation for exemplifying courage, determination and strength while overcoming adversity."

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