Former LSU guard Allison Hightower celebrated her 22nd birthday two days before the 2010 WNBA Draft on April 8.Hightower received a different birthday present this year when she was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in the second round of Thursday’s draft. Her No. 15 selection came later than some projections predicted her to go.The Arlington, Texas, native said living in Connecticut will be a thrilling move for her.”It’s crazy because I’ve never lived up north or anything like that,” Hightower said. “It will be an exciting experience for me to play for the Connecticut Sun and live in Connecticut.”Many draft projections had Hightower being drafted as high as No. 5 in the first round to the San Antonio Silver Stars, but she said falling 10 spots lower did not bother her.”I understood it was a guard-heavy draft, and everybody in the draft is talented,” Hightower said. “That’s just how it played out. I’m just blessed to be able to be selected.”Hightower finished her LSU career as the 13th all-time leading scorer with 1,509 points. She was also named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American and received 2010 All-Southeastern Conference First-Team and SEC All-Defensive Team honors, among other accolades.LSU women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor called Hightower “the ultimate teammate” last week, and he predicted an illustrious career in the professional ranks for his star player.”I came to LSU in 2007, and if Allison Hightower had transferred, LSU’s program goes rock bottom,” Chancellor said. “There’s no question Allison’s best days are ahead of her. She’s such a hard worker, listener and a joy to coach. She’s going to have an outstanding WNBA career.”Hightower will join the Connecticut Sun with former University of Connecticut center Tina Charles, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and AP women’s college basketball Player of the Year.The Sun, which finished sixth of seven teams in the Eastern Conference in 2009, also chose former Kansas forward Danielle McCray with the No. 7 pick and acquired former Nebraska forward Kelsey Griffin in a draft-day trade with the Minnesota Lynx.Hightower was one of 14 players in attendance for the draft in New York, and she said starting her career with her fellow Sun draftees will help make the transition smooth.”[Charles] is a great player, a dominant post player who was one of the best in college basketball,” Hightower said. “She’ll continue to be one of the best in the WNBA, so I’m very excited.”Hightower’s schedule will not lighten anytime soon. After she returns to Baton Rouge, she will travel to Storrs, Conn., to participate in training camp April 15-18 for the 2010 USA Basketball Women’s Select Team. The Sun kick off the WNBA season May 15 at home against the Chicago Sky.—-Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]