It was never a question of whether or not Ashley Walker would go pro after her collegiate career came to an end two weeks ago.

It was simply a matter of which team in the WNBA would draft the Cal great.

Yesterday, the question was answered as the Seattle Storm selected Walker with the 12th pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft.

The Modesto, Calif., native was one of three Pac-10 players to be selected in the draft this year. Arizona State's Briann January was taken sixth overall by the Indiana Fever while USC's Camille LeNoir was taken in the second round by the Washington Mystics.

Walker will join a team that has made five consecutive postseason appearances, including a run in 2004 that led the franchise to its only WNBA title.

Named an All-American this past season, Walker will be playing for a squad that already suits up former All-Americans such as Sue Bird and Swin Cash.

The Storm's decision marks a historic moment for the Bears, as this is the first time in Cal women's basketball history that a player has been drafted into the WNBA.

It's safe to say, though, that Walker has been the Bears' best player since the WNBA was formed back in 1997. During her four years at Cal, Walker became the second-leading scorer in program history and the all-time leading rebounder during her senior season.

Her efforts this past season alone, during which she led the Bears to their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance, earned Walker USBWA All-American honors and a spot on AP's Third-Team All-America.

Her average of 19.8 points per game was tops in the conference, and she was also third in the Pac-10 in rebounding.

And while being an offensive threat is nothing new for the first-team All-Pac-10 member, Walker was able to add more to her arsenal this past season.

Already known for her perimeter abilities, Walker extended her shooting range to beyond the arc. Her work culminated in sinking a career-high number of three-pointers in the Sweet 16 against UConn, hitting three shots from distance in her final collegiate game.

The desire to make herself a bigger offensive weapon this year did not go unnoticed.

"(Walker) is probably one of the better offensive players in the draft," Storm head coach Brian Agler said in a post on the team's draft-day blog. "She had a great year for Cal. She's really developing the versatility of her game. She's extended her range to the three-point line now and just has great touch around the basket."

Walker will report to Seattle when training camp opens May 17, but a spot on the team is not yet guaranteed. She will be competing for one of the 11 available openings on the Storm's roster.

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