Key WNBA Signings Expected

WNBA sources said Monday the league will announce today the signings of three first-team All-Americans, Kristin Folkl of Stanford, Ticha Penicheiro of Old Dominion and Nykesha Sales of Connecticut.

The signing of that trio is a blow to the rival ABL, which had been pursuing the three, plus several others signed earlier by the WNBA.

Penicheiro, a 5-foot-11 guard, is expected to be drafted second overall by Sacramento in the WNBA draft on Wednesday (behind a 7-2 Polish player, Margo Dydak, by Utah). Penicheiro is the only healthy player of the three. Folkl (6-2) and Sales (6-0) both had season-ending injuries requiring surgery.

Those two are expected to be awarded to expansion teams in Detroit and Washington.