McKenith and Smith Become First St. John's WNBA Draft Picks

The St. John’s women’s basketball team made history this week when two players became the Red Storm’s first WNBA draft picks.

Nadirah McKenith ’13CPS and Shenneika Smith ’13CPS were selected Monday evening, April 11, 2013. The draft was televised live in prime time on ESPN2 and ESPNU. McKenith was the Washington Mystics’ second-round pick, No. 17 overall, while Smith was selected 25th overall by the New York Liberty.

“This was an extraordinary night for two of our young ladies,” said St. John’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Joe Tartamella ’04MBA. “It was also a special night for our community and women’s basketball program as a whole. It just shows how special St. John’s is and what our players can be capable of as part of our program.”

Noting that he was able to recruit and coach McKenith and Smith after watching them play in high school, Tartamella added, “It’s something very special to me, and I really have a lot of pride that I was able to watch these two young ladies grow up before my eyes.”

McKenith and Smith played an integral role in the Red Storm’s four-straight NCAA Tournament berths. Earning WBCA Honorable Mention All-America recognition earlier this month, they also were voted to the 2013 All-BIG EAST first team and the 2013 All-Metropolitan Basketball Writers’ Association (MBWA) first team. In their career records, Smith finished fourth in scoring, with 1,727 points; McKenith, No. 11, with 1,293 points. McKenith also is the all-time career assist record holder, with 605.

Over the past five years, several of St. John’s women have played professionally overseas including: Da'Shena Stevens ’12TCB, Centhya "Coco" Hart ’11CPS, Tiina Sten ’08C, Joy McCorvey ’12Ed  and  Monique McLean ’09C.