There's still a cutout of her on the home page of the New York Liberty, and while she led the WNBA in one key category, it was a disappointing campaign for the club and one of uncertainty for Kennewick grad Leilani Mitchell.
The Liberty missed the playoffs, and the 24-year-old point guard from the University of Utah (via Idaho) started just two games and averaged 12.8 minutes per game. During her rookie season, she started five games and logged 15.2 mpg.
However, guess who led the association in assists per turnover ratio? Leilani Mitchell (NYL) with 2.92. It wasn't even close with Kristi Harrower of the Los Angeles Stars at second with 2.56 APT.
Mitchell also ranked third in assists per 40 minutes at 6.98. Ticha Penicheiro of Sacramento topped the WNBA at 8.56.
Anne Donovan, who coached Team USA to gold in the 2008 Olympics and directed the Seattle Storm to the title in 2004, took over as the Liberty's interim coach on July 31 from Pat Coyle. It was Coyle who traded for Mitchell in 2008.
It's unclear what Donovan's future with the Liberty will be, but it appears as if she was giving Mitchell a longer look at the end of the season. Her minutes picked up of the final couple of weeks, logging season-high 31 in a home loss to Indiana and 23 in the season finale a rout of visiting Washington. In that closing game, she hit one 3-pointer, picked off two rebounds and had six assists vs. just one turnover.
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Mitchell, Liberty start playoffs Thursday
Mitchell, Liberty start playoffs Thursday
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Tina Charles scored 18 points and added
17 rebounds for her WNBA-record 23rd double-double of the season to lead Connecticut past visiting New York 69-63.
Kennewick's Leilani Mitchell started for the Liberty (19-15) and had eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
Leilani scores 24 as Liberty upsets Lynx
Leilani scores 24 as Liberty upsets Lynx
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Lynx entered Friday with a chance to clinch the best overall record in the WNBA. The New York Liberty were just looking to get into the playoffs.
Both teams got what they were looking for.
Leilani Mitchell scored 24 points, hitting six 3-pointers, and New York clinched a playoff spot with a 78-62 win over Minnesota on Friday night.
Leilani helps Liberty tie WNBA series
Leilani helps Liberty tie WNBA series
NEWARK, N.J. -- After losing the opener of their playoff series against Indiana, the New York Liberty relied on their strength in Game 2: their defense.
Nicole Powell scored 19 points, Plenette Pierson had 15 and the Liberty beat the Fever 87-72 Saturday to even the best-of-three Eastern Conference semifinals.
Cappie Pondexter scored 14, Essence Carson had 12 and Kia Vaughn 10 for New York, which had 11 steals, blocked five shots, and scored 28 points off Indiana's 18 turnovers.
WNBA season ends for Kennewick grad
WNBA season ends for Kennewick grad
INDIANAPOLIS -- Katie Douglas scored 21 points and Tamika Catchings added 17 to help the Indiana Fever beat the New York Liberty 72-62 in Game 3 on Monday night to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Erin Phillips had 12 points and five steals for the Fever, who scored 26 points off New York's 20 turnovers.
Indiana will host Atlanta on Thursday in the opener of the conference finals. Atlanta won all four matchups this season, including the finale on Sept. 11.
New York's Vaughn named WNBA Most Improved Player
New York's Vaughn named WNBA Most Improved Player
New York Liberty center Kia Vaughn has been named the WNBA's Most Improved Player of the Year for the 2011 campaign.
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