DETROIT -- Former University of Delaware women’s basketball standout Tyresa Smith (at right) has signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Shock of the Women’s National Basketball Association and will be with the team during its upcoming playoff run.

Shock head coach Bill Laimbeer announced the signing of Smith and the re-signing of center Tausha Mills. The Shock, the 2006 WNBA champion, posted a regular season record of 24-10 and captured the Eastern Conference title. The Shock will take on the New York Liberty in the best of three semifinals Aug. 24-28.

Smith, a native of Dover, DE (Polytech High School), was the 18th overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury this past spring but was waived on May 17 prior to the start of the season. She is the first UD player in school history to play in the WNBA.

A Kodak/WBCA Regional All-American as a senior this past year, Smith was a first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association member in 2007 and the CAA’s Defensive Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons. The senior led the CAA in scoring and ranked 18th in Division I by averaging 19.8 points per game. Smith was also second on the team in rebounding with 7.5 rebounds per game and steals with 2.6 per game.

The Blue Hens, led by head coach Tina Martin, posted a 26-5 record this past season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.