SILVER STARS SELECT SHENISE JOHNSON WITH THE NO. 5 PICK IN THE 2012 WNBA DRAFT

SAN ANTONIO – With the fifth overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile, the San Antonio Silver Stars selected guard Shenise Johnson from the University of Miami.

“Shenise is a player that brings a lot of versatility, not only in her game but to the lineup,” head coach and general manager Dan Hughes said. “She can play any position from the 3 to the 1. She also brings a high degree of athleticism and a high degree of skill. I’ve been most impressed with her ability to make basketball decisions, she had almost a 3-1 assist to turnover ratio as a senior even though she was highly guarded by other teams. We’re really excited to get her into a Silver Stars uniform and blend her with the people we have.”

A two-time All-American, Johnson started all 131 games during her collegiate career, marking the longest streak in the nation. She averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds during her senior season, commanding five All-America team selections in 2011-12. The 2010-11 ACC Player of the Year and a four-time All-ACC selection, Johnson compiled a streak of 87 career double-digit scoring games, from her sophomore through senior season. As a freshman, Johnson was named to the ACC All-Freshman team after becoming the only Division I student-athlete to lead her team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals during the season. Johnson finished her collegiate career with 2,262 points, 1,020 rebounds, 556 assists, 401 steals and 90 blocks.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to play in San Antonio,” Johnson said. “I’m really looking forward to the family atmosphere that I’ve heard so much about.”

The Silver Stars open the 2012 regular season on May 19 at Tulsa before tipping off its home schedule against the Chicago Sky on May 30 at 7 p.m. Individual tickets as well as full and partial season ticket plans are on sale now. Visit www.sasilverstars.com or call (210) 444-5090 for more information.

ABOUT THE SILVER STARS

The San Antonio Silver Stars are one of four professional sports franchises owned and operated by Spurs Sports & Entertainment – the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), the Rampage (AHL) and the Austin Toros (NBA D-League) – and play their home games at the SS&E operated AT&T Center. The 2012 season will mark the teams 10^th anniversary in San Antonio, as the Utah Starzz relocated to the Alamo City in 2003. In operation since 1997, the WNBA – which features 12 teams – is the most successful women’s professional team sports league in the world.