Martha Alwal signs with Atlanta Dream

The all-time shot block in Mississippi State history, Martha Alwal, has signed a contract with the Atlanta Dream. The 6-foot-4 Alwal was the anchor for the Bulldogs, and was a pivotal piece in leading Mississippi State to their best season, in school history. Here's part of the excerpt from The Dispatch:

Martha Alwal is discovering life as a prospective professional athlete can make you feel like you're in a whirlwind.

In a five-day span in the past two weeks, the Mississippi State senior center went from anxious to disappointed to excited -- without hearing her name called in the WNBA draft.

That Alwal wasn't selected April 16 in the three-round event was a source of disappointment because she and her agent, Tom Cross, believed she would be one of the 36 players selected. But not being drafted might work out for the best for Alwal, who learned Tuesday she had secured an opportunity to attend training camp for the Atlanta Dream. Later in the week, Alwal signed the non-guaranteed contract and started preparations for the next step in her basketball journey.

"I was just really relieved when (Mike Cound, president of The Cound Group, the agency that is representing her) called me to tell me I was going to Atlanta to play with Angel McCoughtry and Shoni Schimmel," Alwal said. "That hit me really quick and told me I have to get in the gym because I have to make the team."

The Dream's training camp starts the third week of May.