Detroit Shock Signs Taj McWilliams-Franklin to One-Year Contract Extension

By the Detroit Shock
Posted Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Auburn Hills, MI - Detroit Shock Head Coach and General Manager Bill Laimbeer announced today that the team has signed new veteran acquisition Taj McWilliams-Franklin to a one-year contract extension. Per team policy, details of the contract were not disclosed.

McWilliams-Franklin, 38, was acquired by the Shock in a trade with Washington last week that sent forward Tasha Humphrey, guard Eshaya Murphy and a second-round pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft to the Mystics.

In 26 games with Washington this season the six-time WNBA All-Star averaged 13.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks in 33.2 minutes per game. She averaged 11.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists with the LA Sparks last season. McWilliams-Franklin spent four seasons each with Orlando, which relocated to Connecticut, and Connecticut before joining the Sparks in 2007. She has tallied career averages of 12.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 298 WNBA games.

McWilliams-Franklin is in her ninth season in the WNBA. The St. Edward’s product was originally drafted by the Orlando Miracle in the third round (32nd overall) of 1999 WNBA Draft.