WNBA – China’s Chen joins Fowles in formidable Sky frontcourt

CHICAGO (WNBA) - China center Chen Nan and United States pivot Sylvia Fowles were leading figures at last summer's Olympics in Beijing.

The pair will now team up in the WNBA after the Chicago Sky clinched the signing of the 6ft 5in Chen, the MVP of the WCBA this year after averaging 23.1 points and 12.5 rebounds for Bayi Stationary.

"It was my dream to play in the WNBA and now as a member of the Chicago Sky my dream has come true," Chen said.

"I'm excited to be on the same team as Sylvia. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics I learned she is an extremely aggressive and dominant player in the paint. I am a lucky dog playing aside her."

Chen has played for China's women's team since she was 16.

She will be in the national team when they compete at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic.

Fowles, meanwhile, will return to Chicago for her second season after a dominating campaign with Spartak Moscow Region in Russia.

She averaged 15.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague Women for champions Spartak.

Another leading China national team player, Lijie Miao, is expected to play for the Sacramento Monarchs.

Jackson Back To Storm

The Seattle Storm will have a pair of Australia internationals in their frontcourt with Lauren Jackson deciding to sign a contract extension and Suzy Batkovic electing to join the team.

Jackson was a Spartak Moscow Region teammate of Fowles while Batkovic is currently involved in the Italian domestic league finals with Cras Basket Taranto.

Donovan has new job

USA's Olympic gold-medal winning coach Anne Donovan has joined the coaching staff of the New York Liberty in the WNBA.

Donovan, who hails from New Jersey, will work alongside head coach Pat Coyle.

"It is very exciting to have the opportunity to return to the east coast and join the Liberty family," Donovan said.

"Since the league’s inception, I have been impressed with how well this organization has been run and I look forward to assisting Pat in putting the most prepared and competitive team on the floor each night."

Donovan has been one of the biggest names in women's basketball for a long time.

She was a Naismith Award winner and three-time All-American selection at Old Dominion.

Donovan was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 14 years ago.

Last summer was her finest moment in the coaching profession.

Under immense pressure after the Americans' bronze-medal finish at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Brazil, Donovan's USA team blew out all of their opponents en route to Beijing Games gold.

New York Liberty president and general manager Carol Blazejowski said: "It is a rare and significant moment for any organization when someone of Anne Donovan's caliber joins its coaching staff, and it is particularly true for the Liberty.

"With Patty at the helm, Anne's decades of winning experience and a deep and talented roster, we feel we have assembled the components we need to pursue our ultimate goal – bringing New York the WNBA championship it so richly deserves."

The Liberty open their season on June 7.

FIBA