Aggies Aqua Impresses W

TAMPA BAY -- A'Quonesia Franklin, senior guard for the Texas A&M Aggies, went from a disappointing loss in the Elite Eight Tuesday night to the WNBA's Pre-Draft Camp Friday and Saturday and made a solid impression.

"I think I did pretty well," Franklin said after the final session. "Basically, I did what I did for my teammates at Texas A&M which is getting the shooters the ball; getting the posts the ball; and leading the team."

Franklin hasn't heard any scuttlebutt about her performance during the three sessions; however, she did impress quite a few people.

"I haven't heard anything about where I may go in the Draft," Aqua added. "But, I have the confidence that I'm going to get picked; so, I should be fine."

Franklin was invited the pre-draft camp on April 2 -- just two days before the Camp began.

"I heard I was invited the day after we lost to Tennessee," Franklin stated. "We played Tuesday night; and, I found out Wednesday morning. Then, I flew here Thursday."

"I was a little surprised. I was really hoping to get an invite. I knew Mo (Morenike Atunrase) had gotten her invite; and, I was just praying that what I did in the NCAA Tournament had helped me earn an invitation."

Franklin helped guide the Aggies to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history; and, she described the experience as "great". She admits she has not quite gotten over the loss to Tennessee.

"I'm still struggling with it," Aqua lamented. "A couple of girls here at camp were like 'You shouldn't be here. You should be getting ready for the Final Four.' But, you win some, you lose some. I'm kind of over it now. I'm just ready to go to the next level."

Franklin has thought about playing in the WNBA since "the league first started. It's a dream."

Aqua summarized her camp experience as a great one.

"The camp was a great experience. Playing against the best of the best. Just playing ball and doing my thing on the court and meeting new people."