By ROBERT CESSNA"I've got some unfinished business," said Smith, who watched the draft at Reed Arena along with her teammates.
Smith, who earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, averaged 15.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game for the 26-8 Aggies.
A&M head coach Gary Blair said before the NCAA tournament that Smith would have a chance to showcase her skills in the WNBA.
That certainly is the case as Missy Bequette, Seattle's director of operations since 2001, watched A&M's workouts and games in Seattle. Bequette earned her master's degree from Arkansas, where she met Blair while he was coaching the Lady Razorbacks.
Bequette watched Smith score 17 points in both games. Smith added 10 rebounds, nine assists and three steals in a an 84-53 first-round victory over Portland State.
Smith hit 8 of 12 shots in a 72-71 loss to Gonzaga. She was the only player to play all 40 minutes.
"We wanted to get some depth on our perimeter," said Storm head coach Brian Agler in an ESPN interview. "We were very surprised that she was still available at No. 22. We like her athleticism. She has a great chance to make our team."
Smith will report to Seattle on April 23 for camp that starts on April 26. She talked to Angler for 10 minutes Thursday and twice had calls from Bequette.
"I just need to continue doing what I've been doing," Smith said. "I just need to work harder. They want me to penetrate off the dribble and find the open man. They like my midrange jumper, and they like my defense."
Smith, who transferred to A&M from Arkansas-Fort Smith as a junior, is scheduled to graduate in May. She talked to Bequette, and that won't interfere with her professional schedule.
Smith's only regret about her big day is that her mother, Andrea Kelley, wasn't in College Station. Kelley was back in Kansas City where she is a nurse.
Former A&M point guard A'Quonesia Franklin, who is back on campus finishing her degree, played for Seattle last season. The Aggies were able to take her Seattle jersey out of the school's trophy case and allow Smith to pose for pictures.
Blair likes Smith's chances with the Storm.
"You have to go to the right team," Blair said. "They need some backup help at those positions. A'Qua will help her know what to do and what not to do having been to their training camp."
Smith joins Iowa State point guard Alison Lacey who was the 10th overall pick by the Storm. The Big 12, which was the country's top-rated league, had 10 players taken in the 36-player draft.
"I am so excited for Tanisha," Blair said. "This kid has been through a lot. She started at Arkansas, transferred to Arkansas-Fort Smith and then came to A&M. She has gotten better and better each year. She will play with one of the premier point guards in Sue Bird and arguably the best player in the world in Lauren Jackson. She is going from playing on a Top 10 college basketball team to playing with one of the top two or three teams in the WNBA."
Smith is the sixth Aggie taken by the WNBA, joining Morenike Atunrase, Jaynetta Saunders, Toccara Williams, Franklin and Gant.
"This is a great opportunity," Smith said. "I feel I can add versatility to their team. I feel blessed to be in this position even after just playing two years at Texas A&M. I appreciate Coach Blair and the coaching staff for preparing me for the next level. I also want to thank my family, my teammates and my high school and junior college coaches for pushing and encouraging me throughout my basketball career."
Gant, who was drafted last year, played this past season in Turkey. Takia Starks, who wasn't drafted last season, just ended her season in Australia.
"Hopefully, this trend will keep going," said Blair, who has made five straight NCAA tournament appearances. "It says a lot about our program and how we develop players who go on to produce at the next level."
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