AMES, Iowa – Senior guard Bridget Carleton became the 14th Cyclone in school history to hear her name called in the WNBA Draft. The Chatham, Ontario, native was selected in the second round as the 21st overall pick by the Connecticut Sun.

Carleton recently wrapped up her storied career with the Cyclones and will head to training camp with the Sun later this month.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be drafted by the Connecticut Sun,” Carleton said. ” They have a great franchise and an amazing coaching staff. I can’t wait to get there, soak it all in and work as hard as I can. I am looking forward to starting this chapter of my basketball career.”

“What a great honor for Bridget,” Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly said. “She is a great example of Iowa State in every way. I was hoping that Connecticut would select her as I have such respect for Coach Miller and that organization. Iowa State has been blessed to have Bridget as part of our program, now the Connecticut Sun will find out what all of us already know. They selected a person and player that will impact their organization in every way.”

Carleton ended her career just eight points shy of breaking ISU’s all-time scoring mark with 2,142 points. Carleton also ranks in the top-five in Iowa State’s record book in career field goals (3^rd, 713), steals (3^rd, 211), blocked shots (3^rd, 124) and 3-pointers (5^th, 255). She also put together the best single-season in school history setting school records for points scored (760), scoring average (21.7 PPG), field-goals made (254) and field-goals attempted (543). Carleton also ranked second in free-throws made (180) and attempted (209), third in steals (79), fourth in rebounds (302) and tied for ninth in blocks (43).

Three players from the Big 12 were drafted. With Carleton’s selection Iowa State ranks second in the Big 12 in all-time WNBA draft picks. ISU is also in the top-20 nationally with six WNBA draft picks since 2010.

NEW YORK CITY — University of Iowa senior Megan Gustafson was selected by the Dallas Wings with the 17th overall pick in the WNBA Draft on Wednesday evening in New York City.

Gustafson is the 13th Hawkeye drafted into the WNBA and the first since Sam Logic was the 10th overall pick in 2015.

“It was so exciting,” Gustafson said. “To be there with my mom, dad, and Coach Bluder at the table and my sister and other coaches in the audience when my name was called was amazing. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

“Dallas is getting a player who is going to work hard for them every single day, someone who loves the game of basketball, and someone who never gives up.”

A native of Port Wing, Wisconsin, Gustafson ended her collegiate career as the most decorated Hawkeye in program history. She owns 16 Iowa records, including career marks for points (2,804) and rebounds (1,460).

In 2018-19, the 6-3 center became just the fourth Division I female student-athlete and the only post player to eclipse 1,000 points in a single season. She is the only women’s player in Division I history to average 27.8 or more points, 13.3 or more rebounds, and shoot 69.6 percent or better from the field.

Gustafson, the first consensus national player of the year in Big Ten history, registered 33 double-doubles during her senior campaign, tying an NCAA record. Her 88 career double-doubles rank fourth all-time, her 65.7 career field goal percentage ranks fifth nationally, and her 1,459 career rebounds ranks 14th. The field goal percentage and rebounds are also Big Ten Conference records.

“I’m so proud of her,” head coach Lisa Bluder said. “I’m proud of what she has accomplished and all that she will accomplish. She’s going to do really well.

“Dallas is a great team that is going to get a really good player that can play the four and the five. I think people are worried that Megan won’t be able to take her game away from the hoop. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s going to be able to do that.

“Everything that I have ever given Megan to work on, she has tackled and thrived at taking on a challenge. I know she is going to do that at the next level.”