RUSTON - Former Louisiana Tech star Cheryl Ford was named the 2003 WNBA Rookie of the Year today, as the Detroit Shock first year player received 49 of a possible 54 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Other players receiving votes were Cleveland's LaToya Thomas (2), San Antonio's Gwen Jackson (2) and Sacramento's Kara Lawson (1).

Ford, the third overall selection in the 2003 WNBA Draft following a stellar career at Louisiana Tech, became only the sixth player, and first rookie, in the league's history to average a double double - 10.8 points and 10.4 rebounds - for a season.

The two-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year ranked second in the WNBA in rebounds (10.4), first in double doubles (15), ninth in field goal percentage (47.4) and 12th in blocked shots (0.97).

Among rookies, Ford was second in scoring (10.8), first in rebounding, field goal percentage, minutes played (29.9) and blocked shots and second in steals (1.00).

In addition to her individual accomplishments, Ford helped lead the Shock to the WNBA's best regular season record (25-9) following a 9-23 campaign in 2002. The Shock set an Eastern Conference mark for wins in a single season.

As the WNBA Rookie of the Year, Ford received a Tiffany-designed trophy and $5,000. The 54-member voting panel consisted of 12 national media representatives, as well as media representatives from each of the league's 14 markets.

Ford became the second former Louisiana Tech letter winner to earn the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award following Betty Lennox's honor in 2000.

1998 Tracy Reid (Charlotte Sting)
1999 Chamique Holdsclaw (Washington Mystics)
2000 Betty Lennox (Minnesota Lynx)
2001 Jackie Stiles (Portland Fire)
2002 Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever)
2003 Cheryl Ford (Detroit Shock)