Silver Stars Center Ann Wauters Will Not Play In WNBA In 2010
SAN ANTONIO, April 5, 2010 – The San Antonio Silver Stars today announced center Ann Wauters will not join the team for the 2010 WNBA season and instead will spend time with family in her native Belgium. “I have decided not to return to the WNBA this summer but believe me when I say that this was not an easy decision,” said Wauters. “I have always loved being in San Antonio with my amazing teammates, great coaching staff and the best fans in the League in a exciting city. So why not return? I have been playing professional basketball for 12 years now and I feel like I haven't taken the time to enjoy life with my family. So it's time for me to take a break and spend a summer in Belgium.”
In 2009, Wauters joined the Silver Stars on Aug. 1 and started in 16 of 17 regular games played. She averaged 12.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game and helped San Antonio reach the playoffs for the third consecutive season. She ended the season with three double-doubles and averaged 54.8% (92-of-168) made field goals.
“Ann is a valued member of the Silver Stars family and we will look forward to her return in future years,” said General Manager Dan Hughes.
Wauters has played in the WNBA for seven seasons and has recorded career averages of 10.9 points, 5.4 rebounds 14 assists and 26.5 minutes per games. Additionally, she is just 97 points shy of reaching the 2,000-point benchmark in addition to being 59 rebounds shy of reaching 1,000 and 385 minutes shy of reaching 5,000.
Originally selected by the Cleveland Rockers with the no. 1 pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft, Wauters was acquired by the Silver Stars from the Atlanta Dream on April 9, 2008, along with Morenike Atunrashe and a 2009 second round draft pick in exchange for Camille Little, Chioma Nnamaka and a 2009 first round draft pick. Wauters had been selected by Atlanta in the 2008 WNBA Expansion Draft after spending two years with the New York Liberty.
Wauters also has spent considerable time playing overseas, most recently with UMMC Ekaterinburg in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Currently, her team is awaiting the start of the FIBA EuroLeague Women Semifinals, when they will face Russian rival Spartak Moscow Region in a best-of-three series beginning on April 9. UMMC also has reached the semifinals of the Women’s Superleague A playoffs; they will face Nadezhda (Orenburg, Russia), also in a best-of-three series, beginning on April 15.
The Silver Stars open the 2010 regular season on May 15 with a 7 p.m. tip-off against the visiting Atlanta Dream. Full and partial season ticket plans are on sale now. Visit www.sasilverstars.com or call (210) 444-5090 for more information.
