May 2, 2003

Korie Hlede, who rewrote the Duquesne basketball record books during her four-year career in Pittsburgh, will be rejoining the Detroit Shock for the 2003 season. Detroit's coach Bill Laimbeer on Thursday announced that the Croatia native had signed with the Shock as an unrestricted free agent.

The 5-9 Hlede, the Shock's first-ever college draft pick prior to the team's 1998 inaugural season (first round, 4th overall) has averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 22.9 minutes per game during her five year WNBA career.

"The flashy and high scoring Hlede quickly became a Shock fan-favorite during her 1998 rookie season," the WNBA team stated in their press release. That season, Korie averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists and finished second in the WNBA 1998 Rookie-of-the-Year voting. After a stint with the Utah Starzz, the Croatian native was traded to the New York Liberty prior to the 2002 season. She has averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 22.9 minutes per game during her five year WNBA career.

"Korie is a veteran who plays with intensity. She will fit right in with what we are looking to accomplish as she is coming back to Detroit where she has belonged all along," said Laimbeer.

"I am extremely excited to be back again with the Shock, this time as a veteran," said, Hlede. "Detroit has always been a special place for me."

Hlede's jersey was the first ever raised to the rafters at the Palumbo Center which now has a second women's basketball jersey as senior Beth Friday received that honor prior to her final regular season home game this season.