NEW YORK (TICKER) — The WNBA on Thursday announced the set order for Tuesday’s draft lottery.

The five teams who did not advance to the playoffs this past season will be eligible for lottery positions one, two, three, five and six. The Atlanta franchise, announced this week as the league’s 14th team, will be assigned the fourth pick in the 2008 draft.

The Los Angeles Sparks, who posted a regular-season record of 10-24 in 2007, have the best opportunity to secure one of the top three picks in the draft. The Minnesota Lynx have the second best chance after also finishing 10-24 and narrowly edging the Sparks in the standings.

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NEW YORK (TICKER) — The WNBA is heading to Atlanta.

League president Donna Orender announced Wednesday that Atlanta has been awarded an expansion franchise for the 2008 season.

“As a great sports town and a region that enthusiastically supports women’s athletics, Atlanta is a terrific destination for the WNBA,” Orender said. “I am confident that as a world-class sports league providing great family entertainment, the WNBA will be embraced here for years to come.”

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson wasarrested early Thursday on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Brunson apologized to the team and fans for the arrest.

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (TICKER) — Sacramento Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson on Thursday was charged with a DUI violation.

Brunson, 25, was stopped for a routine moving violation early Thursday morning and subsequently was tested and charged with the DUI.

“I would like to apologize to the Sacramento Monarchs organization, the Sacramento Monarchs fans and the Sacramento community,” Brunson said in a statement. “I am very embarrassed and ashamed and I am well aware of the seriousness of the situation.

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WASHINGTON — Tree Rollins will remain the coach of the Washington Mystics.

The Mystics on Tuesday removed the interim tag from Rollins, who led theteam into playoff contention after Richie Adubato resigned in June following an0-4 start.

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WASHINGTON (TICKER) — Tree Rollins, who guided the WNBA’s Washington Mystics to a 15-14 record last season after taking over on an interim basis, was named the team’s full-time coach on Tuesday.

Rollins replaced former coach Richie Adubato, who resigned in July after the Mystics dropped four of their first five games.

Washington finished the regular season 16-18 and just missed qualifying for the postseason, losing a tiebreaker to the New York Libery for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

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WASHINGTON — Washington Mystics guard Alana Beard had surgery on her leftshoulder and is expected to make a full recovery for the 2008 WNBA season.

Her torn labrum was repaired Thursday night at Sibley Memorial Hospital inWashington.

“This is a problem that Alana fought through all season,” general managerLinda Hargrove said. “She worked extremely hard to keep herself on the court.We are excited to know that we will have her back at full strength for the 2008season.”

Beard injured her shoulder last spring while playing with the U.S. nationalteam. She missed only one game with the Mystics and averaged 18.8 points, threeassists and 1.94 steals. She was selected for the WNBA All-Star game.

WASHINGTON (TICKER) — Washington Mystics All-Star guard Alana Beard underwent surgery on her injured left shoulder, the team announced Friday.

The procedure, which repaired Beard’s torn left labrum, took place Thursday night at Sibley Hospital and was performed by team doctors Marc Connell and Jonas Rudezki.

Beard, 25, is expected to make a full recovery and will return to the Mystics for the 2008 season.

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HOUSTON — Houston Comets star Sheryl Swoopes underwent back surgeryWednesday.

The team’s trainer told Houston television station KRIV that the surgery wassuccessful and Swoopes will be able to play next season. She only played inthree games this past year.

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PHOENIX (TICKER) — Less than three weeks after guiding the Phoenix Mercury to its first WNBA title, coach Paul Westhead left the organization Thursday to become an assistant coach for the Seattle SuperSonics.

Westhead joins P.J. Carlesimo’s staff after spending the last two years with the Mercury, where he compiled an overall record of 41-27.

“I’m happy to join the Sonics staff,” Westhead said. “P.J. and I have worked together and known each other for many years and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

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