Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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Minnesota sophomore Amanda Zahui B. is turning pro, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because no announcement has been made.

Zahui B., a 6-foot-5 All-American center, could be the top pick in the April 16 WNBA draft and had until Monday at 11:59 p.m. to declare.

The WNBA has strict rules about who may leave school early for the draft. Zahui B is from Sweden and is eligible because she will turn 22 during the calendar year of the draft.

She averaged 18.8 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.1 blocks this season. She was fourth in the nation in rebounding and helped guide the Gophers to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009.

Notre Dame guard Jewell Loyd also is 22 and could enter the draft early. While she has until Wednesday to declare because she is in the national championship game, Notre Dame sports information director Chris Masters said Loyd is "100 percent staying".

While the top WNBA salary for rookies is just under $50,000, Zahui B. could make a few hundred thousand dollars playing overseas.

She isn't the first female player to leave school early to turn pro. Candace Parker left Tennessee after her junior year and was the No. 1 pick in the draft in 2008. Epiphanny Prince left Rutgers after her junior year also, but wasn't allowed to enter the WNBA draft that year because she had not turned 22 or graduated from college nor was she four years removed from high school.

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The Associated Press

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The WNBA has strict rules about who may leave school early for the draft. Zahui B is from Sweden and is eligible because she will turn 22 during the calendar year of the draft.


AP source: Minnesota's Zahui B. declares for WNBA draft

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