Former LSU guards Seimone Augustus and Scholanda Hoston set one more LSU women’s basketball record Wednesday before officially becoming members of the WNBA.
The Minnesota Lynx drafted Augustus with the first overall pick, and the Sacramento Monarchs drafted Hoston with the 14th pick, making the duo the first two players in the program’s history to both be drafted in the first round.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Augustus said in a news release. “I am just happy to be able to continue playing basketball, and I am grateful the WNBA has given me this opportunity.”
Minnesota finished in sixth place in the league’s Western Conference in 2005 with a 14-20 record.
Hoston went to Sacramento, the reigning WNBA champions. The Monarchs finished with a 32-10 record in 2005.
“This is a thrill to be selected by Sacramento,” Hoston said. “I am excited to be given this opportunity to continue my basketball career.”
Augustus and Hoston led the Lady Tigers to two consecutive Southeastern Conference regular season championships and three straight Final Four appearances.
Before leaving March 29 for the Final Four, Augustus joked about her future lifestyle if Minnesota selected her with the first pick.
“The only thing I’m going to have a problem with is the weather,” Augustus told The Daily Reveille. “But they do have something that can kind of complement that. They have the biggest mall in America. I can get some clothes and warm up to that situation.”
Augustus said fans can expect her parents, who are known for tailgating before every LSU home game, to bring their pre-game party to Minneapolis next season.
“We’re going to bring the barbeque pit, and we’re going to bring the crawfish,” Augustus said. “It’s just going to be a good old Southern cookout.”
The two-time National Player of the Year said she is somewhat familiar with Minnesota since the Lady Tigers traveled to Minneapolis in 2004 to play the Minnesota Lady Gophers.
“I think I will thoroughly enjoy it,” Augustus said. “Just the experience was had playing there, it was very delightful and just the fans were very supportive.”
Just three days after the team was eliminated from the Final Four, Augustus said the days leading up to the draft were hectic.
“Once we lost in the semifinals, it was straight to USA Basketball,” she said. “And from there it was time to find an outfit for the draft, and then once draft day got here it was crazy. I was up at 6:30 a.m. trying to get my thoughts together on what this day was going to be like.”
But Augustus said she was not the only anxious person.
“I think my mom has been on the Internet more than anybody in our family trying to make sure she knows what the draft status is like,” Augustus said.
Though Augustus left LSU after four years without a national title, she said she is optimistic about her chances of winning in Minnesota with the talent surrounding her.
“[I am] just doing whatever the coaching staff asks,” Augustus said. “Just working out hard and making sure that whatever I do it helps the team.”
 
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