While most NIU students spent last weekend counting down the days until the end of the semester, NIU women’s basketball guard Stephanie Raymond spent hers doing what she does best: playing basketball.

No, the Huskies didn’t somehow receive a last-minute invitation to the NCAA women’s tournament. Raymond was invited to the WNBA pre-draft camp which was held March 30-31 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 5’5″ floor general earned the spot after leading the Huskies to a 19-12 season while averaging 18.9 points per game and leading the MAC in assists – dishing out 6.5 a game.

“I’ve always thought Stephanie was one of the top point guards in the country,” NIU head coach Carol Owens said. “It’s nice to see her get the recognition she deserves. She’s talented enough to be in the league. She’s the type of point guard teams are looking for.”

According to WNBA.com, over 40 players were invited to show off their talents at the camp. The camp is used for scouts to get one last look at the players before the draft, which will be held at 1 p.m. today.

There were three sessions at the camp, which consisted of many drills and games. With so many people there, Raymond wanted to make the most of the situation any time she was in the spotlight.

“I just wanted to play my all out there and I had nothing to lose,” Raymond said. “I think I did great.”

The camp gave Raymond a chance to not only impress the scouts, but play with some of the top prospects in the country, including Tiffany Jackson out of Texas, who is projected to go as high as sixth in the draft.

Others Raymond got to play with include 6’7″ center Gillian Goring from N.C. State and Megan Vogel from South Dakota State.

“With Gillian, it was nice to play with someone that big,” Raymond said. “Megan is just a tremendous athlete and we were on the same page. I liked playing with her a lot.”

Local fans may be excited to hear that one of the rumored teams interested in Raymond is the Chicago Sky, who play at the UIC Pavilion. Not only would it be good for fans, but also Raymond herself, who would welcome staying in Illinois.

“I know they are interested, I’ve had a couple words with them,” Raymond said. “That would be great not only for me and my family, but also because I’m a locally known player.”

The Sky hold the number 3, 10, 20 and 27 overall picks in the draft. And while it is unlikely she will go as high as three, according to her, being drafted at all is more than she could have hoped for.

“It would be great for me and the program,” Raymond said. “Just to be drafted would be a blessing. First, second, third round; it doesn’t matter.”