University of North Carolina Athletics
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UNC Alum Celebrates WNBA Title
October 11, 2019 | Women's Basketball
A Tar Heel celebrated a title on Thursday night, as UNC graduate LaToya Pringle Sanders helped Washington to the 2019 WNBA Championship. Sanders was in the starting lineup as the Mystics beat the Connecticut Sun 89-78 on their home court at Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., to win the franchise's first title.
Sanders was part of Washington startling lineup throughout the playoffs, averaging 23.1 minutes per game. She suffered an ankle injury in the series against Las Vegas, but was able to return and play throughout the finals.
"All of us at UNC are so proud of LaToya and what she's accomplished," Carolina coach Courtney Banghart said. "Winning the first title in franchise history is such a milestone, and she'll always be remembered as an important part of that team. She had to battle through an injury in the playoffs and showed so much toughness to help her team win. We're all so excited for her and we congratulate all the Mystics on a great season."
Sanders is the fourth Tar Heel to win a WNBA title, following Nikki Teasley (Los Angeles, 2002), Camille Little (Seattle, 2010) and Erlana Larkins (Indiana, 2012).
She played for the Tar Heels from 2005-08 and was a first-round WNBA Draft pick in 2008, when the Phoenix Mercury took her with the 13th overall selection. After a season in Phoenix, she played for Minnesota and Los Angeles before being traded to the Mystics in 2012. She also plays professionally in Turkey and as a member of Turkey's National Team.
Sanders was part of Washington startling lineup throughout the playoffs, averaging 23.1 minutes per game. She suffered an ankle injury in the series against Las Vegas, but was able to return and play throughout the finals.
"All of us at UNC are so proud of LaToya and what she's accomplished," Carolina coach Courtney Banghart said. "Winning the first title in franchise history is such a milestone, and she'll always be remembered as an important part of that team. She had to battle through an injury in the playoffs and showed so much toughness to help her team win. We're all so excited for her and we congratulate all the Mystics on a great season."
Sanders is the fourth Tar Heel to win a WNBA title, following Nikki Teasley (Los Angeles, 2002), Camille Little (Seattle, 2010) and Erlana Larkins (Indiana, 2012).
She played for the Tar Heels from 2005-08 and was a first-round WNBA Draft pick in 2008, when the Phoenix Mercury took her with the 13th overall selection. After a season in Phoenix, she played for Minnesota and Los Angeles before being traded to the Mystics in 2012. She also plays professionally in Turkey and as a member of Turkey's National Team.
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