Hofstra University senior center Vanessa Gidden (Stamford, CT) today signed a training camp contract with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).  Gidden becomes the first-ever Hofstra Basketball player to ink a deal with a WNBA squad.

"On behalf of the Hofstra Women's Basketball program we are so proud of the opportunity Vanessa has been provided," commented Hofstra Head Women's Basketball Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey.  "Only a few players are chosen for this honor and Vanessa has worked hard during her career to receive this chance and we are very excited."

Gidden led Hofstra with an average of 14.3 points and was second with 7.5 rebounds per contest this past season.  Gidden also led Hofstra with 43 blocked shots and made a team-best 123 free throws in 2006-07.  A second team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and All-Met selection in 2006-07, Gidden averaged 12.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in her 120-game career.

Gidden leaves her mark in several areas of the Hofstra record books as she finished with 1,489 points, 911 rebounds and 175 blocks.  She ranks first all-time in program history in blocked shots, fourth in rebounding and sixth in scoring.  Gidden is also the fifth-best shot blocker in CAA history.

Hofstra advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), falling on the road to Western Kentucky.  The loss ended the Pride's season, arguably the greatest in school history, at 26-8. 

During the magical 2006-07 campaign, the Hofstra Women's Basketball team set school records (Division I only) for overall wins (26), road wins (13), conference wins (13) and home wins (12).  The squad also advanced to the semifinals of its conference tournament for the second straight season, marking the first time since the 1991 and 1992 teams achieved the same feat in back-to-back seasons.

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