Imani Boyette's 50 Cent campaign comes up short

NEW YORK (AP) Chicago rookie Imani Boyette has been a huge fan of 50 Cent since she was young. She's spent the first half of the season using social media to get the rapper to show up to the Sky's game on Friday night in New York.

Unfortunately her attempt fell short as he's in Orlando promoting a vodka company. Still she's enjoyed the experience.

''I actually didn't get any correspondence with 50 Cent which stinks, but I think it was fun,'' Boyette told The Associated Press on Friday. ''I think people started to pay attention and it got press for the WNBA and ultimately that is what it's about.''

Using the hashtag (hash)wnba20for50, Boyette shared 43 reasons why 50 Cent should go to the game Friday before she got the news that he would be in Orlando.

Standing at 6-foot-7, the WNBA player joked on Twitter on Wednesday that she would cry if 50 Cent didn't come to her game.

''I think it's just important that we keep building these bridges with the WNBA, pop culture and social media,'' Boyette said. ''I really don't think 50 Cent fans watch the WNBA or vice versa. You know I'm not sure we co-mingle and I think that branch and new fans every day is cool.''

The rookie out of Texas had been struggling to start her rookie season, but on June 10 recorded her first double-double in the league with 16 points and 12 rebounds against Indiana. She was also key down the stretch with a three-point play in Tuesday's win over San Antonio.

''I've definitely been getting better every day which is kind of what you want,'' said Boyette, whose mother Pamela McGee also played in the WNBA after being drafted No. 2 in 1997. ''Regardless of whether that translates on the court or the stat sheet you want to get better.''