April 1, 2008

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Rice center Valerya Berezhysnka has accepted an invitation to participate in the WNBA Pre-Draft Camp at the University of Tampa's Bob Martinez Center this weekend as part of the NCAA Final Four in Tampa.

Berezhynska is one of approximately 40 players invited to the pre-draft camp that will have two on-court sessions Friday followed by one Saturday session. All sessions are closed to the general public.

"We're excited that Valeriya has been invited to this invitation-only WNBA Pre-Draft Camp," head coach Greg Williams said. "This is a big opportunity for her to play in-front of every WNBA coach and general manager. It's also the first step for her to pursuit her career goal of playing basketball beyond college."

Berezhynska headlined the Owls and C-USA, averaging 18.4 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in league play. She won a trio of C-USA Player of the Week honors and recorded the program's first career triple-double with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a nationally televised game at Tulane (Feb. 14).

The Ukraine native recorded double figures in 20 of her 23 appearances on the season and reached the 20-point mark eight times, including four of her last five regular season games. She tallied 10 double-doubles and ended her career 10th on Rice's scoring list with 1,076 points.

"I am greatly honored for having an opportunity to participate in this camp," Berezhynska said. "It's more than I could ask for just to be mentioned in this elite group of players. I hope to represent myself and the Rice women's basketball program to the best of my ability."

The WNBA Draft presented by adidas is scheduled for April 9 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club. ESPN2 will provide exclusive first round coverage, while the second and third rounds are televised on both on ESPNU and NBA TV. WNBA.com also will have complete analysis and comprehensive coverage throughout all three rounds of the draft.