DeKALB | With the 20th overall pick in the 2007 WNBA draft, the Chicago Sky selected NIU guard Stephanie Raymond.

Raymond has dreamed of hearing these words her entire life. On Wednesday, the dream became reality.

“Some young girls, when they are growing up, want to be a doctor or a nurse,” Raymond said. “I‘ve always wanted to play basketball. It’s my life. This is like a dream come true.”

The senior was able to share her dream with coaches, teammates and family. While the group was gathered around a television set watching the draft live on ESPNU, they received a phone call.

“We got a call, and five seconds later we heard her name over the television,” NIU center Kristin Wiener said. “There was screaming and hugs and tears.”

The 5-foot-5 guard is the first NIU women’s basketball player to be drafted into the WNBA. Former Huskie and current assistant coach E.C. Hill played three seasons in the league but was not drafted.

Raymond’s selection also rewrites NIU athletic history. The Rockford native is the highest drafted player into a United States professional sports league in school history.

The former record was held by split end John Spilis. Spilis was drafted into the NFL as the 64th overall pick in 1969 to the Green Bay Packers.

However, there was a chance four years ago which could have changed history entirely for Raymond.

Making the choice to not attend a larger university could have been a kiss of death for Raymond’s dream to go pro. Out of the 39 picks in the 2007 WNBA draft, only nine players where chosen from non-major conferences. Raymond was the only choice from the MAC.

NIU head coach Carol Owens wasn’t concerned about Raymond’s chances. She was confident the senior was on multiple draft boards.

“I thought outside of Dee Davis, the senior out of Vanderbilt, that Stephanie Raymond was one of the best point guards,” Owens said. “[The Chicago Sky] was really worried that Stephanie wouldn’t last to the 20th pick.”

Raymond will begin her WNBA career immediately.

She will report for a media day today, and begins training camp around April 21.

The 2007 season will begin for the Sky on Sunday, May 20.

Although the guard was drafted, she is not guaranteed a spot on the Sky’s roster. Instead she will have to continue to fight during training camp to achieve her dream.

Owens is convinced Raymond will find a spot on the Sky’s roster. According to Owens, the Sky do not have a dominant point guard.

“The good thing is that the Chicago Sky has seen her play quite a bit,” Owens said. “It looks like, across the board, they are looking at youth. I think she has a very good shot as far as making that roster.”

Since Raymond is leaving to pursue her career, she will not graduate from NIU. Instead, she will try to finish her college career in between her dream of playing professional basketball.