Bridget Carleton says being drafted into the WNBA is a dream come true.

The 21-year-old Chatham native says she can’t wait to start playing with the Connecticut Sun.

“To play in the highest league, to have the chance to make a team, it’s what you dream of as a child,” Carleton says. “You grow up watching the NBA, watching the WNBA, watching all these professional teams, to have that chance and hear my name drafted, I never thought was even realistic for me or possible.”

Carleton was selected 21st overall in this week’s draft after an outstanding senior year with Iowa State.

She’s looking forward to the challenge of playing for the Connecticut Sun.

“It’s the next step in my basketball career, it’s the next level up,” Carleton says. “I think my experience with the (Canadian) National team, I’ve played against professionals every summer for the last three or four summers, I think that’s going to help me a lot going into training camp and hopefully making the roster.”

Carleton finished her college career being named the Big 12 Player of the Year and winking the prestigious Cheryl Miller award for best small forward.