Eastern Michigan player signs with the WNBA’s Detroit Shock
April 12, 2006
After the completion of last Wednesday’s WNBA Draft, Eastern Michigan’s Ryan Coleman signed a free-agent training camp deal with the Detroit Shock, according to a press release.
She becomes the first Eagle player in the 10-year history of the professional league to sign a contract.
During the 2005-2006 season, Coleman led the No. 1 Mid-American Conference West Division Eagles in points with 16.9 per game, field goals made with 165, 3-pointers made with 32, assists with 4.1 per game, steals with 2.1 per game, blocks with 0.6 per game and minutes with 36.9 per game.
Coleman’s statistics placed her in the top of the MAC categories in scoring, field-goal percentage, rebounds, blocks, steals and assists.
A starter in 25 games this season and 115 since her arrival in 2002, Coleman scored in double digits in every game this season, including six 20-point games.
Coleman has shattered Eastern Michigan and MAC records during her four years playing for the Eagles. She became the second player in MAC history to record 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals in her career.
After joining former Eagle Stephanie Smiley as the only two players in school history to obtain Kodak/WBCA Honorable Mention All-American honors, she received the honor again this season.
Coleman was named MAC Player of the Week nine times in her career, which puts her at No. 3 in conference history for number of honors.
During Coleman’s junior season, she became the second player in school history to record a triple-double in a single game.
The Detroit Shock ended its 2005 season with a record of 16-18 and will open training camp May 1. The preseason begins May 7 in which the team will face Connecticut, defending WNBA Champion.
-Amanda Vasil