As the semester ends, many seniors remain uncertain as to their future plans. So, too, does Anne Thorius, this past year”s captain of the women”s basketball team. But today and tomorrow she has the biggest “interview” of her life: The Women”s National Basketball Association Pre-Draft Camp at the Moody Bible Institute”s Solheim Center Gymnasium in Chicago.
- Paul Wong
- ALYSSA WOOD/Daily<br><br>Michigan senior co-captain Anne Thorius is in Chicago at the pre-draft camp for the WNBA, trying to prove her ability to play at the next level.
If drafted, Thorius would be the third Wolverine to play in the WNBA. The last was Stacey Thomas, who was picked last year by the Portland Fire.
“I talked to (Michigan) coach (Sue) Guevara on Monday, and she told me I was invited,” Thorius said. “I wasn”t even considering not going. It”s an awesome opportunity, because not everyone gets a shot. You”ve got to go, because if you don”t your basketball career is basically over.”
Thorius is Michigan”s all-time assist leader, and the only Wolverine to have accumulated career marks of 500 assists, 1,000 points and 400 rebounds. Her leadership this year helped the team to its third NCAA Tournament in her four years, where Michigan lost in the second round to the eventual national champions, Notre Dame.
The camp consists of two days of drills, position work, half-court four-on-four and full-court five-on-five play will give players the chance to impress their potential employers.
“I truly enjoy the drills, because I”m such a perfectionist,” Thorius said. “They”re going to be drills that we”ve used in practice all four years at Michigan.”
Thorius was more likely to pass the ball than to shoot during her Michigan career. She feels that her total of 540 career assists speaks for itself, and needs to focus on proving her worth as a shooter.
“Everyone”s here to show everyone else what they can do,” Thorius said. “There”s going to be lots of shooting from individual players. I feel I”ve convinced people that I can play defense and pass. Here I”ve got the opportunity to show that I can shoot.”
The WNBA draft will be held on Friday, April 20 in Secaucus, N.J., and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.