It’s official, with the first pick in WNBA Draft 2017 it will be the San Antonio Stars who select…

At halftime of Game 1 of the Semifinal matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx, the WNBA Draft Lottery results were read aloud and Ruth Riley, the general manager of the Stars, was on hand to hear the exciting news that it would be her squad picking first in April.

“I’m still celebrating the moment,” Riley said to WNBA.com after the ping pong balls rose her team’s way. “It’s the first time here in San Antonio that we’ve ever had the number one pick. It’s such a great day for our team, players, fans and organization. I’m still adjusting to the fact that we’ll have the number one pick in 2017.”

https://twitter.com/WNBAPrez/status/781297553346265088

The Stars’ 44.2 percent chance to be chosen to select first in 2017’s draft heading into the lottery was the highest amongst the four teams in the running. It will be the first time the organization picks atop the draft since 1998 when they were the Utah Starzz.

“We lost Kayla McBride to injury for most of last season so to have her skill-set matched with the most talented player coming out of college to our roster next year is exciting,” said Riley. “Our team is competitive and the players want to win a championship, they understand it takes a solid roster to do that. When you look at our young our core with Moriah and the incredible year she’s coming off, and Kayla Alexander in her fourth year there’s a lot of pieces there to add a top draft pick to.”

@SAStars with the number 1 pick!! ??????

— Kayla Alexander (@kjalexan40) September 29, 2016

Last year the Stars were selected to pick second and drafted electric point guard, the aforementioned Moriah Jefferson. Jefferson put together quite the rookie campaign averaging the second most points per game on the squad, 13.9 and the seventh most assists per game in the entirety of the W, 4.2.

While Jefferson, McBride, Alexander and whoever the Stars choose to select with the first overall pick are certainties, the team is still in search of a head coach.

“I hope getting the first overall pick makes us even more appealing to our coaching candidates, said Riley. “You look at our roster and there’s something there to build something moving forward. You win championships with young talent and top draft picks. Hopefully this top draft pick next year is something that the candidates we’re talking to are excited about.”

It’s said that history often repeats itself and the history of top picks in the WNBA is no different. Number one picks have captured 11 of the 20 MVP awards, seven of the 20 have won a title with the team that drafted them, and over the last nine seasons, the team with the No. 1 overall pick has improved its record by an average of 6.8 wins. The Stars are hoping this trend continues with their franchise.

“Our future looks bright moving forward, not only adding the top pick but getting healthy. We weren’t playing with much of our roster for much of the season. So, we get our young players healthy and add the top player in the draft to that mix. As a GM that’s something I’m really excited about.”

While Riley’s exuberance surrounding the selection was unbridled, the Stars fan base likely are just as optimistic as their team’s GM.

“I know our fans are incredibly excited, we have some really great fans here in San Antonio. Coming off a year with a lot of adversity they really stuck with us. I think their support wasn’t just because they love us, it’s because they’re excited about the direction we’re going. Adding this top pick I know is something that will only build momentum.”

And the crowd goes wild! ??? pic.twitter.com/JGPoJFKTbW

— San Antonio Stars (@SAStars) September 29, 2016

Although the Draft may be six months away, the anticipation is already building in Texas and rightfully so. The Stars will continue to mature and take a major step forward with whomever they pick in April.