McCray, Sun Headed to the WNBA Playoffs

Sept. 15, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. – In her first season playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), former Kansas women’s basketball player Danielle McCray has helped the Connecticut Sun to a berth in the 2011 playoffs. McCray and the Sun will open the first round of the postseason versus Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 16 on the Suns’ home court in Uncasville, Conn.

“It’s amazing right now. The fact that we haven’t been (to the playoffs) in a long time and to be a part of this team that goes the first year I come, it means a lot,” said McCray. “We’re all excited, our coaches are very excited, it’s just a different atmosphere now.”

McCray contributed five points in nearly 16 minutes of floor time during Connecticut’s 69-63 win versus the New York Liberty Sunday night to clinch a spot in the WNBA playoffs after a two-year hiatus from the postseason. The Olathe, Kan., native and former All-American has appeared in 34 games for the Sun this season, including 23 starts, and is averaging 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

Asked what the team has been focusing on this week heading into Friday’s contest McCray answered, “Guarding Atlanta. They are a really athletic team. We have to stop Angel McCoughtry, who is number one (in the WNBA) in scoring. We need to keep her under control.”

Drafted by Connecticut with the seventh overall pick in 2010, McCray spent her first professional season with Rishon Lezion of the Israeli Women’s League while coming back from a knee injury, which she suffered in her final season at Kansas.