NEW YORK (July 9, 2007) � Reserves for the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game have been named, it was announced today by the League. Eastern and Western Conference head coaches selected the players from their respective conferences to round out the rosters. The All-Star Game, the eighth in league history, will be held on Sunday, July 15 in Washington, D.C. and will be televised nationally on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Following are the reserves for the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game:
Eastern Conference Reserves:
|
Western Conference Reserves:
|
||||
Katie Douglas | Connecticut Sun | Guard | Seimone Augustus | Minnesota Lynx | Guard |
Alana Beard | Washington Mystics | Guard | Cappie Pondexter | Phoenix Mercury | Guard |
Tammy Sutton-Brown | Indiana Fever | Center | Taj McWilliams-Franklin | L.A. Sparks | Center |
Candice Dupree | Chicago Sky | Forward | Tina Thompson | Houston Comets | Forward |
DeLisha Milton-Jones | Washington Mystics | Forward | Rebekkah Brunson | Sacramento Monarchs | Forward |
Asjha Jones | Connecticut Sun | Forward | Penny Taylor | Phoenix Mercury | Forward |
About the Eastern Conference Reserves:
� In her seventh WNBA season, Connecticut's Katie Douglas is averaging
16.9 points, 2.2 steals, 4.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. Douglas, who
will be making her second All-Star Appearance, was named MVP of the 2006 WNBA
All-Star Game, the first in league history won by the East. Douglas' 16. 9 points
per game leads the Sun.
� Washington's Alana Beard is making her third All-Star appearance and
posts 18.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game this season.
Beard ranks fifth in the WNBA in scoring and fourth in steals in 2007.
� Indiana's Tammy Sutton-Brown earns her second All-Star nod and joins
Fever teammates Tamika Catchings and Anna DeForge, both of whom were selected
as starters on the Eastern Conference squad. Sutton-Brown posts 12.1 points,
5.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 assists in 2007. Sutton-Brown also ranks first
in the WNBA in field-goal percentage at .567.
� Candice Dupree makes her second All-Star appearance in just her second
year in the league and is averaging 19.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and
1.4 assists for the Chicago Sky. Dupree, who ranks third in the WNBA in scoring,
is one of three second-year players to be playing in her second All-Star Game
(along with Minnesota's Seimone Augustus and Phoenix's Cappie Pondexter).
� Washington's DeLisha Milton-Jones earns her second All-Star appearance,
having also made the team in 2000. Milton-Jones is averaging 14.0 points, 5.7
rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in 2007.
� In her sixth season, Asjha Jones is averaging 16.4 points, 6.5 rebounds
and 2.9 assists for the Connecticut Sun.
About the Western Conference Reserves:
� Minnesota's Seimone Augustus, the 2006 WNBA Rookie of the Year, makes
her second All-Star appearance and is averaging 22.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1
assists and 1.3 steals per game in 2007. Her 22.3 points per game ranks second
in the WNBA this season.
� Cappie Pondexter of the Phoenix Mercury also makes her second All-Star
appearance in just her second year in the League. Pondexter owns averages of
16.9 points, 3.6 assists and 3.3. rebounds per game in 2007.
� Los Angeles' Taj McWilliams-Franklin is making her sixth All-Star appearance
and is averaging 11.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game
this season.
� Houston's Tina Thompson earns her seventh All-Star appearance, the
most appearances in the game among this year's All-Stars, and is averaging 18.4
points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in 2007. Thompson's
18.4 points per game leads the Comets this year.
� Sacramento Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson, a first-time All-Star,
is averaging 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in her fourth
year in the WNBA. Brunson ranks first in the League in offensive rebounds and
fourth in rebounds per game.
� Penny Taylor of the Phoenix Mercury, making her second All-Star appearance,
is averaging 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game
this season.
(all statistics and rankings based on games played through Monday, July 9)
As previously announced, Bill Laimbeer of the Detroit Shock and Jenny Boucek
of the Sacramento Monarchs will coach the Eastern and Western Conference All-Stars,
respectively. Laimbeer will lead the Eastern Conference by virtue of having
guided his club to the Eastern Conference crown (and ultimately the WNBA championship)
last season. Boucek, meanwhile, earned the honor following a change in the method
by which the Western Conference head coach would be selected in 2007.
Pursuant to WNBA guidelines, the coach of the previous season's conference champion typically serves as the All-Star coach for that conference, provided that he or she remains in the same capacity. As John Whisenant resigned his head coaching position with the Monarchs after leading the club to the 2006 Western Conference title and is now serving as the team's General Manager, the Western Conference All-Star coach was selected on the basis of the team with the best winning percentage through July 1.
Tickets at all price points can be purchased through WNBA.com, via Ticketmaster.com, at select Macy*s Department Stores in the Washington, D.C. area, or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-202-397-SEAT. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Verizon Center Box Office.
WNBA players will be extremely visible around Washington, D.C. during All-Star Weekend, participating in community outreach initiatives that will leave lasting and positive impressions in the Washington, D.C. area. Several projects will take place, including the Nike/WNBA Court Refurbishment and the opening of a Reading and Learning Center through the WNBA Cares Legacy Event in conjunction with Toyota.
Also on July 15, select WNBA players will again compete against each other
in the Dribble, Dish & Swish Skills Challenge as well as the Three-Point
Shoot Out, both of which are sponsored by adidas and included in the price of
admission to the All-Star Game.
Additionally, the second annual All-Star Salute: Celebrating Inspiration Luncheon
will take place in the nation's capital on July 13 at the Mayflower Hotel, honoring
women who inspire, motivate and help ignite the dreams and aspirations of women
in all fields of endeavor. The event will be highlighted by the presentation
of the WNBA Inspiration Award which will be given to an individual or group
who on a daily basis demonstrates the ability to inspire others through their
commitment, passion and dedication to work, family and community.
Katie Douglas and Alana Beard will likely be teaming up in the backcourt for the East at this weekend's All-Star Game.
Ray Amati/NBAE/Getty Images
|