Eshaya Murphy Waived

Despite a strong start to the season, Shay Murphy fell out of the rotation.  Joy Cheek will bring a big body and the ability to shoot from range.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2010

FEVER WAIVES MURPHY, RE-SIGNS ROOKIE JOY CHEEK

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever has waived fourth-year guard Shay Murphy and re-signed rookie forward Joy Cheek, as announced by Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf.

Murphy was a part of Indiana’s WNBA Finals roster in 2009 and played in 15 games this season despite battling a nagging right wrist injury sustained in the waning moments of the Fever’s loss at Tulsa, May 29. During the club’s first five games, Murphy was one of Indiana’s brightest stars, averaging 11.2 points and a team-leading 7.0 rebounds per game. In 10 games since the injury, however, she has averaged just 2.0 points and 2.6 rebounds.

Cheek, 6-1, was Indiana’s third-round draft pick last April and one of the team’s final cuts in training camp. The former Duke standout averaged nine points in two preseason games with Indiana and led the club with six rebounds per game.

Said Krauskopf, “We are hopeful that the next month or so will give Shay time to heal her wrist and be ready for a strong season overseas. I hope we have the opportunity to bring her back to Indy next season.”

The Fever, 11-6 at the midway point of its summer schedule, plays seven of its next 11 games at Conseco Fieldhouse where it has won seven straight. The defending Eastern Conference champion, Indiana currently trails Atlanta by two games and second-place Washington by one. The Fever battles Atlanta and Washington in five of those next 11 games.

Following its first visit to the WNBA Finals and three consecutive sellout crowds during the 2009 WNBA Playoffs, the Indiana Fever is eager to pursue a sixth straight playoffs appearance and a return trip to the Finals in 2010. The Fever hosts the Connecticut Sun during its annual Kids Day presented by Knozone on Wednesday, July 14 (1:00 p.m.) and entertains the East-leading Atlanta Dream on Friday, July 16 (7:00 p.m.). Season and single-game tickets are available at FeverBasketball.com or by calling (317) 917-2500.