Ex-WNBA guard pleads not guilty to strangling former partner

PORTLAND, Ore. –

Shoni Schimmel, a former WNBA player, was arrested Friday. She pleaded guilty to assaulting a former Partner on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Schimmel (29), was arrested for assault by strangulation in an intimate relationship and assault resulting substantial bodily harm, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.

According to reports, the incident occurred on June 13, 2021. Schimmel was initially arrested June 14, 2018, and was taken to Umatilla County Jail on criminal mischief and felony assault charges.

Federal authorities took Schimmel into custody Friday. Schimmel did not plead guilty to the charges during his first appearance in federal court.

Schimmel was released in anticipation of a two-day jury trial that is scheduled to start in June.

Schimmel could face a maximum sentence up to 15 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release, along with a $250,000 fine, if convicted.

The FBI and Umatilla Tribal Police Department investigated the case.

After being drafted eighth by the Atlanta Dream in 2014, Schimmel averaged 6.6 points per game. After being drafted in the eighth round by Atlanta Dream in 2014, Schimmel averaged 6.6 points per game. She also made All-Star games both years and was named Most Valuable Player for rookies. In 2016, she was traded to New York Liberty. Schimmel also participated in two games with the Las Vegas Aces in 2018.

Schimmel was also an All-American selection on the second team of the Associated Press in 2013-14. As a junior, she helped Louisville reach NCAA women’s basketball champion before it lost to UConn.