MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Lanay Montgomery, West Virginia’s career leader in shooting percentage and a two-time Big 12 all-defensive selection, became a third-round pick of the Seattle Storm when she was chosen 30th overall in Thursday night’s WNBA draft.
“It is truly an honor to have my name called at the WNBA Draft. I started playing basketball my freshman of year of high school; and now to be drafted is an amazing feeling,” Montgomery said. “It shows the hard work and dedication I’ve put into this game.”
Montgomery’s selection gave the Mountaineers draft picks in back-to-back years for the first time and three selections in the last four seasons. Asya Bussie was the 15th overall pick in the second round in 2014 by the Minnesota Lynx and Bria Holmes went 11th overall in the first round to the Atlanta Dream last season.
“There is no one more deserving of this moment than Lanay Montgomery,” WVU coach Mike Carey said. “With her tremendous work ethic, Lanay has made great strides in her five years at West Virginia University. We are very proud of her accomplishments and I wish her the best of luck in Seattle.”
A Pittsburgh native, Montgomery finished her career averaging 6.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. She set the West Virginia career field-goal percentage record at 59.6. Her 330 blocks are the second-most at WVU and the fourth-highest in Big 12 history.
“I’d like to say thank you to my dad Robert Montgomery for introducing me to the game and my AAU coach Milton Kimbrough for working with me and teaching me the game,” she said. “I’d also like to thank my college coaches for the countless hours spent working with me on developing my game. Last, but not least, I want to say thank you to my basketball family and family for the unwavering support throughout this process. I look forward to my journey with the Seattle Storm.”