April 17, 2004
Shameka Christon, a 6-1 forward from Hot Springs, was taken by the New York Liberty with the fifth pick of the WNBA Draft in Secaucus, N.J.
Christon was the first Arkansas player to be drafted in the first round of the WNBA Draft.
“I’m very excited because it’s the farthest thing from Arkansas and I’m not a city girl,” Christon said. “We all make adjustments, and I can’t wait to play in Madison Square Garden where so many great players have played.”
Christon played 12 professional seasons, including six with the Liberty. She was an all-star in her final year in New York in 2009.
In 2004, Christon was the first player in Arkansas women’s history to be named SEC Player of the Year, earn first-team all-conference honors and lead the league in scoring when she averaged 21.8 points.