By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

University of Cincinnati point guard K.B. Sharp was selected by the New York Liberty in the second round of Friday's WNBA draft.

The news came as a surprise to Sharp, who Thursday was unsure the WNBA would even have a draft.

Friday morning, a four-year collective bargaining agreement was settled between the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association, establishing a free agency system and 4 percent per-year team salary increase.

Sharp watched the draft show Friday afternoon from an off-campus apartment.

"I was shocked. I wasn't even expecting to go," Sharp said. "I thought if I (was selected) it would be in the third round - if at all."

Sharp was the 26th overall overall selection, second to last in the second round. The Liberty also drafted No. 10 Molly Creamer (guard, Bucknell), No. 17 Erin Thorn (guard, Brigham Young), No. 24 Sonja Mallory (center, Georgia Tech) and No. 39 Nicole Kaczmarksi (guard).

UC coach Laurie Pirtle had heard prognosticators place Sharp between the 15th and 25th picks.

"I believe she's a great player now, but I believe she can be better, learning from the best," Pirtle said.

Xavier seniors Amy Waugh and Reetta Piipari were also among the 70 draft candidates. Neither was selected in the draft's three rounds, but Musketeers coach Kevin McGuff said both might pursue WNBA careers in free agency.

Ohio State forward Courtney Coleman, a Hughes High School graduate, was chosen 13th overall by the Connecticut Sun.

The Liberty also picked up forward Elena Barnova in Thursday's one-round Dispersal Draft for players formerly of the Miami Sol and Portland Fire.

Sharp, who averaged 13.6 points and 5.9 assists last season, is UC's second women's basketball player to be drafted. Madinah Slaise was a second-round pick by the Detroit Shock in 2000.

Sharp leaves next week for the Liberty's preseason camp. She's eager to meet her favorite point guard, New York's Teresa Weatherspoon, whom she saw play against the Indiana Fever last season.