Denique Graves

Denique Monai Graves (born September 16, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. She played for the Sacramento Monarchs in the Women's National Basketball Association's first season.

College career Graves left Howard as its fifth all-time leading scorer and fourth all-time leading rebounder.

Professional career Graves was selected with the 14th overall pick (2nd round, 7th pick) by the Sacramento Monarchs on April 28, 1997. This made her the first player in the WNBA to be drafted from a HBCU (Historically Black College or University). Her debut game was played on June 21, 1997 in a 73–61 win over the Utah Starzz where she recorded two points, three rebounds and two blocks in three minutes of playing time. In her 22nd and final career WNBA game, on August 24, 1997, when the Monarchs defeated the Houston Comets 68–58, Graves recording one rebound and one missed field goal in five minutes and 28 seconds of playing time.

Graves' rookie season was her only season in the WNBA, in which she played 22 games and averaging 4.9 minutes a game. Graves was waived by the Monarchs on May 25, 1998, preceding the 1998 WNBA season. After missing out on the 1998 and 1999 seasons entirely, Graves was signed as a free agent to the Washington Mystics on May 2, 2000. She was waived nine days later on May 11, inevitably not playing in the 2000 season.

Attempting another WNBA comeback, Graves signed a contract with the Orlando Miracle on April 30, 2001. She did not make it past the final round of cuts, being released on May 27, the day before the 2001 WNBA season started. This was her last attempt at returning to the WNBA.

Graves finished her career with totals of 16 points (.7 ppg), 15 rebounds (.7 rpg), and six blocks (.3 bpg).

Career statistics

WNBA Source

Regular season

College