Minnesota’s McCarville tapped No. 1

Kansas State's Wecker chosen fourth in WNBA Draft

? Janel McCarville has heard talk about how this year’s incoming rookie class in the WNBA wouldn’t be as talented as the last.

“We’ve been overshadowed by the players from the past,” McCarville said after being selected by Charlotte as the top overall pick in Saturday’s league draft. “We definitely have great players. Every year brings something different to the league and adds spice to it.”

The 6-foot-4 McCarville averaged 16 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals last season while leading Minnesota to a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

McCarville said she was looking forward to playing with new teammate Dawn Staley.

“It’s definitely a privilege to play with her,” McCarville said. “She’s a good passer, hopefully we’ll connect on a couple of good ones.”

Kansas State standout Kendra Wecker was tapped fourth overall by the San Antonio Silver Stars. The Indiana Fever selected Tan White from Mississippi State at No. 2, with the Phoenix Mercury taking Texas Christian’s Sandora Irvin.

The University of Houston’s Sancho Lyttle went to the Houston Comets with the fifth pick.

Wecker, the Big 12 Conference player of the year, averaged 21 points and 10.1 rebounds for Kansas State despite missing three games because of a sprained ankle early in the season. She shot 42 percent on three-pointers.

The Washington Mystics, who traded three-time All-Star Chamique Holdsclaw to the Los Angeles Sparks last month, took LSU’s Temeka Johnson at No. 6.