Cassidy at pro camp> WNBA coaches evaluating talent

Cindy Blodgett broke new ground for the University of Maine women’s basketball program two years ago when she signed a contract to play in the WNBA.

Black Bears star Jamie Cassidy hopes to become the second UMaine product to compete with the world’s elite players.

Cassidy arrived Wednesday in Chicago, where she has joined dozens of prospective professionals for the annual WNBA Predraft Camp at Moody Bible Institute.

The three-day combine is a showcase for WNBA prospects, including this year’s college seniors, veteran players with prior pro experience and international players. Throw into that mix a group of 25 players who were eligible for last year’s WNBA draft and the competition is likely to be fierce.

Blodgett, who began her career in 1998 with the Cleveland Rockers, played last year for the Sacramento Monarchs. She is likely to be fighting for a roster spot when preseason training camps open May 3.

The combine enables WNBA coaches and front-office personnel to get a sustained, first-hand look at the available talent pool in preparation for the WNBA draft, which is scheduled for April 25.

Cassidy, a 6-foot-4 center from Methuen, Mass., has been one of the dominant post players in the East for the last four seasons. At UMaine, she averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots during her 122-game career.

Cassidy ranks as the No. 3 all-time scorer in America East and at UMaine with 2,380 points, registering a school-record .544 career field goal percentage. She emerged as the league and school career leader in blocked shots with 231 and is third on the UMaine rebounding list with 983.

None of that is going to matter in Chicago, where Cassidy will go up against a host of talented frontcourt players, all of whom have aspirations of playing in the WNBA. What team officials see at the combine will help them make final decisions about how they’ll approach the draft.

Cassidy’s chances for earning a spot on a WNBA roster have been enhanced by the league’s expansion to 16 teams this season. There are 176 roster spots in all, most of which are filled by veteran players.

“That’s definitely what I want to do,” Cassidy said of playing pro ball. “That’s always been my dream since I started playing. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time, because I really have no idea what my future holds right now.”

Nancy Lieberman-Cline, coach of the league’s Detroit Shock, pointed out in a recent column on the WNBA web site that it is necessary to see the prospects play this weekend in order to make informed judgments. She said coaches also get a better feel for the players’ level of conditioning, their attitudes and their leadership potential.

Draft candidates had physical examinations Thursday in preparation for on-court sessions scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The players will be run through drills and play some half-court games during the Friday morning session, then will play full-court games from 2-7 p.m.

On Saturday, the session opens with drills at 9:15 a.m., to be followed by full-court games until 12:15. The players will scrimmage again from 4-9 p.m.

WNBA preseason games begin May 13, while the regular season gets under way May 29.