The Lady Dogs leaned heavily on seniors Ashley Houts and Angel Robinson during their return to the Sweet 16 this year, and it’s no surprise that both were selected in the second round of yesterday’s WNBA draft. Houts was selected 16th overall by the New York Liberty, and Robinson was drafted by the L.A. Sparks at #20.

Robinson and Houts started their careers as Freshmen All-SEC honorees and maintained that level of play during their four years on the court. Houts was noted for her energy, endurance, and toughness and was often depended on to play the entire 40 minutes of a game. Robinson overcame injuries at both ends of her career to develop into a productive center at both ends of the court.

Getting drafted is just the start though. The thing about the WNBA is that roster spots aren’t a sure thing, even for top draft picks. There’s not a lot of turnover, some teams have folded, and the pipeline of foreign players is strong. Houts and Robinson will be competing against other draft picks, players currently on rosters, and a slew of free agents brought into training camp.

It’ll be a month of hard work for the duo to learn if they’ll make a roster. The WNBA regular season tips off on May 15th. A third Georgia senior, Christy Marshall, missed the 2009-2010 season with a knee injury and will explore professional opportunities overseas.