The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ashley Awkward Signs With The Houston Comets
4/19/2007 | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss senior guard Ashley Awkward recently signed a free agent contract to play with the Houston Comets of the WNBA. Awkward is the second Ole Miss player to move onto the WNBA following the 2006-07 season, joining fellow guard Armintie Price who was drafted by the Chicago Sky. Awkward will travel to Houston on Friday as the Comets 2007 training camp opens on Sunday, April 22.
"This is an experience of a lifetime," said Awkward, who will receive her degree from Ole Miss in May. "I am elated to be given the opportunity to play for one of the elite teams in the WNBA. I am anxious to get to Houston and prove that I belong."
Awkward concluded her Ole Miss career on a high, helping lead the Rebels to their first Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992. Awkward averaged 18.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game during the Rebels' exciting run. She posted a career-best 25 points in guiding Ole Miss to a second-round win over defending national champion Maryland and also tossed in 22 points in their Sweet 16 win over Big 12 Conference champion Oklahoma.
Awkward scored in double figures in Ole Miss' last 20 games of the season, including all 14 Southeastern Conference games. On the season she ranked second on the team in scoring (12.9), assists (2.7) and steals (1.9), all of which were career-highs. She was named the team's Unsung Hero at Sunday's awards banquet.
With her invitation to join the Comets, Awkward becomes the fifth player in Ole Miss history to suit up for a WNBA squad joining Jennifer Gillom, Yolanda Moore, Saundra Jackson and Price.
