Silver Stars Sign Shameka Christon

SAN ANTONIO � The San Antonio Silver Stars have signed seven-year WNBA veteran Shameka Christon, head coach and general manager Dan Hughes announced today. As per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

A 6-2 forward originally selected by the New York Liberty in the first round (5th overall) of the 2004 WNBA Draft, Christon has averaged 11.5 points per game with 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest in 207 career games.

"We are excited to welcome Shameka to San Antonio,� Hughes said. �In a good WNBA free agent class, she is one of the best. Shameka brings a great deep perimeter shooting with athletic length, skill and character to the Silver Stars.�

The University of Arkansas alumna had the most productive season of her career in 2009, averaging 16.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Christon was selected to the 2009 WNBA All-Star Team, where she scored 12 points while adding three steals, three rebounds and dishing out four assists in 22 minutes of play.

�I am really excited and truly blessed to be joining the Silver Stars,� Christon said. �I have heard nothing but great things about the organization. I�m extremely happy to be reconnected with Vickie Johnson and Becky Hammon, who were great leaders and mentors for me back in our New York Liberty days. It is no secret that San Antonio is a first class organization from management and support staff to the players and coaching staff. My prayers have been answered and I am so proud to be a San Antonio Silver Star.�

After six seasons with the Liberty, Christon was acquired by Chicago in a three-team trade on March 29, 2010. She played in 10 games for Chicago during the 2010 season, averaging 8.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game before being sidelined by an eye injury. She missed the 2011 season with a right knee injury suffered during training camp.

Christon has been a member of the USA Basketball Women�s National Team program and has also played internationally in Russia, Poland, Spain and Israel during the WNBA offseason. The Silver Stars open the 2012 season on May 19 at Tulsa before tipping off the home schedule against the Chicago Sky 30 at 7 p.m. Ticket plans for the 2012 season start at $180 and are available online at SASilverStars.com or by calling (210) 444-5090.