Sun acquire Walker in WNBA dispersal draft

Mohegan - The more Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault talked to people that know DeMya Walker, the more it became clear that she was the player the Sun needed to take i n Monday's WNBA dispersal draft.

"One of the first comments made to me about her," Thibault said, "was that if anybody ever in Sacramento was under duress from another team, either verbally, physically, whatever, she was the first one to lead the charge to rectify the matter."

Thibault smiled and added, "I'm putting that in nicer terms than what was said to me."

Connecticut selected Walker, a 10-year veteran forward, with the third overall pick in the draft of players from the defunct Monarchs.

The 6-foot-3 Walker started in 30 of 34 games last season. She averaged 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 24.1 minutes.

"First of all I'm really blessed to have the opportunity to play for Connecticut," Walker said via a statement. "I've heard coach Thibault is an amazing coach. Having played for coach Wiz (former Sacramento coach John Whisenant) for so many years, I'm excited to play under coach Thibault. It's a little bit bittersweet because it really means the Monarchs are over and I won't be with my teammates any more. But I definitely feel like I am going into a comfortable situation."

Walker, a New Jersey native, gets to be closer to her family. And Thibault raved about how her teammates loved playing with her and the chemistry she brings.

"(She provides) leadership in the locker room," Thibault said. "She can score. She shot almost 50 percent from the floor last year. She can rebound. She can guard both (power forwards) and (centers). When (forward) Asjha (Jones) went down last year, we had hoped that when the year started that Whit (Tamika Whitmore) would fill that role. Obviously it didn't work out that way between injuries and whatever.

"We feel that this can solve the problem."

Connecticut's focus now shifts to free agency. Teams can begin talking to players on Jan. 1. Guard Kara Lawson, Walker's Sacramento teammate, is an unrestricted free agent and a player that Thibault has long admired.

The Sun also have the second overall pick in April's draft.

The addition of Walker strengthens Connecticut's front court. Center Sandrine Gruda began to show star potential last season in what was her second year.

Jones was playing perhaps the best basketball of her career before a left Achilles' tendon injury forced her to miss the final 11 games of the season.

"Asjha is very excited about getting her," Thibault said.

The Sun's selected Walker over centers Laura Harper and Courtney Paris.

"There was a lot of speculation as to where we'd go," Thibault said. "We made a decision to take the best basketball player regardless of age, salary, whatever. Take someone who we felt could help our team right now."

Walker's right knee injuries didn't scare off Connecticut. She suffered a patellar tendon tear five games into the 2007 season, then fractured the patella playing in Russia during 2008.

"According to their doctors reports, she's no more at risk to suffer the same injury than any other player would," Thibault said.

Walker has a two-year, guaranteed salary at the league maximum; however, the last year has a team option. If she were to suffer another major injury, the Sun could get out of the contract.

n.griffen@theday.com