Louisville women's basketball senior Myisha Hines-Allen selected by Washington in WNBA draft

University of Louisville women's basketball senior Myisha Hines-Allen was selected 19th overall by the Washington Mystics in the WNBA draft Thursday night, becoming the program's sixth draft pick.

With her parents, siblings, AAU coach, Louisville staff and approximately 60 fans in attendance at Berrytown Recreation Center, Hines-Allen paced nervously in the minutes leading up to the announcement as the draft broadcast was projected on a concrete wall.

When Hines-Allen's name flashed onscreen, the forward collapsed into her seat between her mother and sister and clutched her heart while fighting back tears.

"That was too nerve wracking," she said breathlessly.

"When I saw her name up there, that's when it really hit that my daughter is in the WNBA," said Kim Allen, Hines-Allen's mother.

"I'm tickled pink," said Hines-Allen's father, Robert Allen.

Taken as the seventh pick of the second round, Hines-Allen is the third-highest Louisville player drafted and will leave the Cardinals as one of the most decorated players in program history.

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The forward is the Atlantic Coast Conference's leader in career double-doubles (45) and is the winningest player in Louisville history, one of two Cardinals players ever with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

Hines-Allen, a New Jersey native, will begin her professional career after averaging 14 points and 9.6 rebounds while leading the Cardinals to a 36-3 record and the Final Four.

"It's hard to believe it's been four years watching her play," Louisville coach Jeff Walz said. "My favorite part is watching her today compared to when she came in four years ago, and it's not that she was bad. It's the growth of her as a person. I want y'all to know this young lady is prepared, and she's ready for pro ball."

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Hines-Allen directed the proceeds from Thursday's draft party to Louisville Metro Parks' Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation program, an organization she became involved with through a college adaptive sports course.

"She gave her heart and soul to Louisville basketball and our city," Walz said, "and what she learned and what I think all our players have learned is when you put two feet in and you give, and you give without expecting anything back, it's amazing what comes back."

Hines-Allen will link up with Louisville alum Asia Taylor in Washington. The Mystics went 18-16 in the 2017 season and lost in the WNBA semifinals.

"I'll call Washington my home, hopefully, but I know I can come back here and be at home," Hines-Allen said, clutching a microphone and addressing a crowd of friends and supporters.

Hines-Allen relinquished a yellow stress ball to her sister and finally relaxed amid a swarm of hugs and congratulatory photos, at home being the center of attention with the pressure off.

"I was just thinking, 'Wow, it's finally over,'" she said. "That waiting, it'll get you."

Her younger brother Josh Allen was less patient.

"I was getting mad when all those teams weren't picking her," he said. "I'm just so happy she got selected."

WNBA training camps open April 29 before the preseason schedule begins May 4. Hines-Allen wasn't sure when she will have to report to Washington, but that was an ordeal for Friday. On Thursday night, in the warm yellow light of a basketball gym, she had just one agenda.

"Take it all in," she said. "I might do a cartwheel out of here."

Danielle Lerner: 502-582-4042; dlerner@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @Danielle_Lerner. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/daniellel.