Wolfpack’s Cunane selected 17th by Seattle Storm in WNBA Draft

NEW YORK, NY — Former NC State center Elissa Cunane was selected No. 17 overall to the Seattle Storm in the second round of the 2022 WNBA Draft.

Cunane, aka “Big Smile,” is a highly decorated Summerfield native, who had one of the best careers in NC State women’s basketball history. In four years with the Wolfpack, Cunane was a nine-time All-American, four-time ACC champion, and two-time ACC Tournament MVP.

She was most recently named a consensus All-American by the AP, USBWA and WBCA following the 2021-22 season in addition to repeating as ACC Tournament MVP. She helped the Wolfpack to four ACC championships (three tournament titles, one regular-season crown) during her career.

This past season, Cunane averaged 13.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game while shooting 53.1 percent from the field. Cunane played in 125 games for NC State, starting 101 of them. She ended her time with the Wolfpack ranked sixth in program history in career points and is the record holder in free throws made.

“This night has been huge,” Big Smile told the media with a big smile after being drafted. “The reason why I love basketball so much is because it brings my family together. I’m just really excited to continue playing at the next level for them.”

Elissa becomes the fourth Wolfpack player to be chosen in the draft since head coach Wes Moore took over the program ahead of the 2013-14 campaign.

Cunane joins an already stacked locker room that features two-time WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart, 12-time All-Star Sue Bird, and All-WNBA First-Team member Jewel Lloyd. The Storm enters the 2022 WNBA season with the third-best championship odds at +425 according to the oddsmakers at bet365. Seattle most recently won two championships in 2018 and 2020.

“I’m just looking forward to soaking up all I can from the legends in Seattle. On the court, off the court, their work ethic and experience in big games are just things I can learn.”

Cunane looks to make her WNBA debut on May 6th at home versus the Minnesota Lynx in Climate Pledge Arena.