Five Seattle Storm Players Headline
2013 WNBA All-Star Ballot
Online and Mobile App Voting Begins June 16; Ends July 14

June 14, 2013

NEW YORK � 2013 WNBA All-Star Balloting presented by Boost Mobile will launch on Sunday, June 16, at 5 p.m. ET. Seattle Storm players Temeka Johnson, Tanisha Wright, Camille Little, Noelle Quinn and Tina Thompson are on the ballot. The 60 players included represent all 12 WNBA teams with five players from each team.

The WNBA will announce the starters on ESPN2 on July 18 during the nationally televised game featuring the Phoenix Mercury at the Los Angeles Sparks. Reserves will be announced on ESPN2 on July 23, during the game between the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever.

Seattle�s Thompson has made the All-Star team eight times in her career, though she was unable to play in 2006 and 2003 due to injury. Thompson was named MVP in 2000, scoring 13 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and recording three steals, leading the West to a 73-61 victory over the East. Thompson recently announced she would retire from the WNBA at the end of the season.

If selected, this would be the first All-Star appearance for Johnson, Wright, Little and Quinn. Johnson is a 2009 WNBA champion with the Phoenix Mercury as well as the 2005 Rookie of the Year. The 5�3�� guard has 1,036 assists in her nine-year career. Wright and Little were a part of the 2010 Seattle Storm championship team.

The fan voting will determine the starting lineups for the game. Voters are asked to select two guards and three frontcourt players (forwards and/or centers) from each conference. A write-in option is also available, allowing fans to choose players not listed on the ballot.

2013 WNBA All-Star Balloting presented by Boost Mobile allows fans worldwide to vote daily for their favorite players. Fans can cast their votes on wnba.com, on mobile devices by visiting wnba.com/asb, on any wireless carrier and on the WNBA Center Court presented by Boost Mobile app. Balloting will conclude at midnight ET on July 14. ABC will nationally broadcast the game, which will take place on Saturday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. ET.

During the 10-year history of the All-Star Game, at least one Seattle Storm player has played in every All-Star Game. The Storm had three players in the starting lineup in 2009 (Bird, Cash, Jackson) and has had two players in the starting lineup five times (2011, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003). In 2002, the Storm had one player in the starting lineup, then-rookie Sue Bird.

Most recently, the East won in 2011, defeating the West 118 to 113. The West leads the East 7-3 in the all-time WNBA All-Star Game series.

The WNBA did not hold an All-Star Game in 2012, as the league halted play for one month, allowing players to participate in the London Olympics. Likewise, there were no games in 2008 or 2004. In 2010 the USA national team took on WNBA All-Stars from all over the country. Seattle Storm head coach and general manager Brian Agler coached the WNBA All-Stars against Team USA. Team USA earned a decisive win with a final score of 99-72.

Assistant coach Jenny Boucek has also made a coaching appearance in the All-Star Game. Then head coach for the Sacramento Monarchs, she coached the West in 2007 in a close game against the East. The final score was 99 to 103 with the East getting the win.

Individual tickets are available to the general public at Ticketmaster locations, including by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com or connecticutsun.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Box Office from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.