WNBA draft comes to Boston

The WNBA will announce today that its predraft camp and draft this year will be held in Boston, to coincide with the NCAA women's Final Four.

The predraft camp is expected to be Monday, April 3, at Emmanuel College, with the draft two days later at the Convention Center.

The Final Four -- which marks the 25th anniversary of the women's college tournament -- will be April 2 and 4 at the TD Banknorth Garden.

At the predraft camp, about 40 college prospects will take part in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions, at which they will be evaluated by WNBA coaches and general managers.

This year's draft class is headed by LSU's Seimone Augustus, winner of last year's Naismith Trophy as the national Player of the Year, and a three-time Associated Press and two-time Kodak All-American. Other top prospects include Baylor's Sophia Young, Duke's Monique Currie, and Rutgers's Cappie Pondexter.

The Minnesota Lynx have the first overall draft pick, by virtue of a lottery held last October. The Phoenix Mercury and the Charlotte Sting have the second and third picks, respectively.

For the past nine years, the WNBA draft has been held at the NBA TV studio in New Jersey.

The WNBA, which will invite youth leagues and high school basketball players from the Boston area to draft day, is making the announcement today in recognition of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

SUSAN BICKELHAUPT