Feb. 3, 2011

RUSTON - Former Louisiana Tech star Shanavia Dowdell is set to sign a practice contract with the WNBA San Antonio Silver Stars.

Dowdell is currently playing overseas in France for Toulouse Metropole Basket where she is averaging 13.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. She was drafted in the second round of the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics before being released prior to the start of the season.

The two-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year graduated from Louisiana Tech as one of the all-time leading scorers and rebounders, ranking 16th in points (1,599) and 10th in rebounds (1,025).

Dowdell was the 20th member of the Louisiana Tech program to be drafted and/or play in the WNBA since the league's inception in 1997.