Shakira Austin Selected Third Overall in the WNBA Draft

NEW YORK – A dream came true Monday night, as Ole Miss standout center Shakira Austin was selected third overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2022 WNBA draft from Spring Studios in New York City.

"It's just amazing, just knowing that the work I've put in," said Austin. "To finally get to this moment and to play back home. I'll just be continuing to work and believe in the work that I've put in."

Austin adds to the historic WNBA tradition for Ole Miss, becoming the sixth Rebel drafted and the first since 2010. As the third overall pick, Austin ties Armintie (Price) Herrington as the highest draft pick in Ole Miss history, when the guard was selected third by the Chicago Sky in 2007. Herrington later went on to win the 2007 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.

In her two years at Ole Miss, the Fredericksburg, Virginia, native boosted the Rebels back to national prominence and its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 seasons. Following an outstanding senior campaign, Austin was named First-Team All-SEC for the second straight season as well as earning the Gillom Trophy for the second year in a row. This past season, Austin also eclipsed the 1,000 career rebound mark and became one of seven active players in Division I this past year with 1,500 career points and 1,000 career boards.

As one of the hottest names in the country, Austin was also a Lisa Leslie Award-Top 10 finalist, as well as being named to the Naismith Midseason Trophy Team. Throughout her senior season, Austin averaged 15.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. She concluded her Rebel career as No. 5 in program history with 114 blocks and finished this past season with 66 for the third most in a single season at Ole Miss.

The 2022 WNBA season tips off Friday, May 6.

Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on Twitter at @YolettMcCuin

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Shakira Austin

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