Atlanta's de Souza to Replace Chicago's Elena Delle Donne in Boost Mobile WNBA All-Star Game 2013
NEW YORK, July 26, 2013 � Atlanta Dream center Erika de Souza has been named by WNBA President Laurel J. Richie to replace injured Eastern Conference All-Star Elena Delle Donne of the Chicago Sky in the Boost Mobile WNBA All-Star Game.
For the 31-year old de Souza, this marks her second All-Star appearance. The native of Brazil previously participated in the 2009 All-Star event, also held at Mohegan Sun Arena. The eight-year veteran�s seven double-doubles are tied for third in the WNBA, and she ranks fifth in the league in both rebounding (9.1 rpg) and blocks (1.81 bpg).
The league�s No. 2 overall draft pick this April, Delle Donne � who went on to become the first rookie in WNBA history to earn the top spot among vote-getters in All-Star fan-voting � will be unable to attend the All-Star Game after suffering a concussion on Wednesday during the Sky�s road loss to the Washington Mystics.
Boost Mobile WNBA All-Star 2013 will be nationally broadcast on ABC, Saturday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. ET from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. This is the third time the Sun will host the WNBA�s All-Star event.
Eastern Conference Head coach Lin Dunn will select a player to start in place of Delle Donne.
For the 31-year old de Souza, this marks her second All-Star appearance. The native of Brazil previously participated in the 2009 All-Star event, also held at Mohegan Sun Arena. The eight-year veteran�s seven double-doubles are tied for third in the WNBA, and she ranks fifth in the league in both rebounding (9.1 rpg) and blocks (1.81 bpg).
The league�s No. 2 overall draft pick this April, Delle Donne � who went on to become the first rookie in WNBA history to earn the top spot among vote-getters in All-Star fan-voting � will be unable to attend the All-Star Game after suffering a concussion on Wednesday during the Sky�s road loss to the Washington Mystics.
Boost Mobile WNBA All-Star 2013 will be nationally broadcast on ABC, Saturday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. ET from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. This is the third time the Sun will host the WNBA�s All-Star event.
Eastern Conference Head coach Lin Dunn will select a player to start in place of Delle Donne.