SECAUCUS, N.J. – Virginia senior Lyndra Littles was drafted 17th in the 2009 WNBA Draft, held Thursday in Secaucus, N.J., by the Connecticut Sun.

“I’m very excited,” Littles said. “I'm looking forward to getting there and working with him [Connecticut Sun head coach Mike Thibault] and learning his program. My goal is to go in there and work extremely hard and compete for a championship.”

The Washington, D.C., native wrapped up her Cavalier career by averaging 19.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in her senior season. In Atlantic Coast Conference games, she led the league by averaging 22.7 points per game in 14 contests.

She was a first team All-ACC selection, as well as a midseason candidate for the Naismith Trophy. Her postseason accolades also included being named a regional finalist for the State Farm Coaches’ All-American Team.

Littles finished her illustrious career fourth on UVa’s all-time scoring list (1,889 points) and fifth on the all-time rebounding list (887). She is one of just three Virginia players to record more than 1,800 points and 800 rebounds (Heather Burge and Wendy Palmer are the others).

"I was so proud of Lyndra today," Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan said. "She represented UVa well and did a great job of explaining what she wants the next step in her career to be. I'm excited for her to be drafted by the Sun and play for Mike Thibault, I think he will provide her with structure and the freedom to take her game to the next level."

Littles was the 17th overall pick and the fourth selection in the second round. She joins Virginia alumnae Sharnee Zoll (No. 29, 2008), Schuye LaRue (No. 27, 2003) and Telisha Quarles (No. 31, 2003) as recent WNBA draft picks.