Former Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) standout Janel McCarville will continue her professional basketball career close to home, as she signed with the Wisconsin GLO of the Global Women’s Basketball Association Thursday, May 30.

A native of Custer and the first pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft, McCarville will make her debut with the Oshkosh-based GLO Saturday, June 8, when they host the Chicago Breeze at Menomonie Nation Arena in Oshkosh.

“I’m very excited to play in front of my friends and family during my time with the GLO,” said McCarville. “I cannot wait to get out there and add my little piece of the puzzle to this already historic Wisconsin roster.”

At SPASH, McCarville was named the 2001 Associated Press Wisconsin Co-Player of the Year, as she helped the Panthers finish as the WIAA Division 1 State Runner-up.

She went on to become a two-time All-American at the University of Minnesota, where she remains the Gophers’ all-time leader in field goal percentage and still ranks in the Top 10 in school history in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.

The Charlotte Sting selected McCarville first overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft. McCarville has averaged nearly eight points per game across nine total seasons in the WNBA with Charlotte (2005-06), the New York Liberty (2007-10) and the Minnesota Lynx (2013-14, 2016). The WNBA’s Most Improved Player in 2007, McCarville helped the Lynx win the WNBA championship in 2013.

McCarville has also played professionally overseas since 2006, including stints in the EuroLeague and the Turkish Women’s Basketball League. She has represented the United States at the Pan American Games and the FIBA World Cup.

“Janel McCarville is unquestionably one of the best women’s basketball players in the history of Wisconsin,” said GLO general manager Brad Fischer. “Her career as a number one pick and WNBA Champion speaks for itself. I really felt like if we were going to build the best team in the history of Wisconsin, we had to see if Janel was interested in being a part of it.

“I really appreciate Janel working with us to make this possible. She has carved out this time to help grow our game in Wisconsin. We’re extremely excited to have her suiting up for the GLO on June 8.”

The GLO’s June 8 home game will also mark the season debut for Julie Wojta, who was a second round pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft following an All-America senior campaign at UW-Green Bay. Like McCarville, Wojta also ranks among UW-Green Bay’s all-time top 10 in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

“It should be an eventful evening,” McCarville says, “I hope to see you there!”

Purchase tickets for Wisconsin GLO home games at https://wiscoglo.com/tickets/.

Wisconsin GLO remaining home games (all games at Menominee Nation Arena):
June 8 vs. Chicago Breeze (7 p.m.)
Fan giveaway: Mascot bobbleheads

June 16 vs. Indianapolis Bandits (3 p.m.)
Fan giveaway: Can koozies

June 22 vs. Music City Icons (7 p.m.)
Fan giveaway: Inflatable drink holders

June 23 vs. Chicago Breeze (3 p.m.)
Fan giveaway: Kid’s T-shirt jerseys

July 13 vs. Flint Monarchs (7 p.m.)
Fan giveaway: Wisconsin Tropics T-shirts (adult sizes)