West Virginia senior Asya Bussie has been selected by the Minnesota Lynx as the No. 15 overall pick in the second round of the 2014 WNBA Draft.

 

“I can’t even put into words how excited and blessed I am,” Bussie said. “I was nervous all day, I woke up nervous, and I’m glad to know where I’m going. I’m excited to be playing with Minnesota with some great players like Monica Wright, Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus. It’s a great team.”

 

The Lynx used their second pick of four chances to get Bussie on their roster. The Randallstown, Md., native is WVU’s highest WNBA Draft pick in program history. The previous highest drafted player from the WVU women’s basketball team was All-American point guard Yolanda Paige who went in the second round as the 16th overall pick of the 2005 draft. All-American Olayinka Sanni went as the No. 18 pick of the second round in the 2008 WNBA Draft, while Kate Bulger was chosen No. 38 overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft.

 

“It’s shocking to me that I’m the highest pick in program history,” Bussie explained. “That is a great honor and it goes with the theme of this past year-- just to make program history.”

 

Bussie is a two-time All-American Honorable Mention selection, a three-time All-Conference honoree and named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. She helped lead the Mountaineers to a 30-5 overall record and its fifth consecutive NCAA appearance.

 

The 6-foot-4 center is the 15th player in WVU history to record 1,000 points and 500 rebounds, finishing 11th all-time in WVU’s record books for 1,497 career points. Bussie ranks sixth all-time for 853 rebounds, and second for 382 offensive boards in WVU’s record books.

 

Bussie joins the Lynx who are coming off the 2011 and 2013 WNBA Championship Titles.

 

“I’m hoping to come in and contribute and hopefully win another championship,” Bussie said. “I’m excited to play with them.”

 

Editor's Note: Photo by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.