NEW YORK, Aug. 29 -- General Motors, a marketing partner of the Women's National Basketball Association since the league's inaugural season in 1997, will donate more than $50,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in honor of the Buick Player of the Game. Buick donates $1,000 for each nationally televised game throughout the 2002 WNBA regular season and playoffs.

Mabika

Leslie

"General Motors continues as a valuable partner making a difference in the WNBA and in the success of the Make-a-Wish Foundation," said Mary Reiling Spencer, Vice President, Marketing Partnerships. "GM's commitment through the Buick Player of the Game platform has been tremendous."

"We're proud to be able to recognize the great athletes of the WNBA, while at the same time fulfill the dreams of children in need with the Make-A-Wish Foundation," said Steve Tihanyi, General Motors, Director of Marketing Alliances and Regional Operations.

Lisa Leslie of the defending WNBA champion Los Angeles Sparks led all players, winning Buick Player of the Game honors six times. The Sparks led all teams with 11 Buick Player of the Game Awards as Leslie was joined by teammates Mwadi Mabika with three, and Nicky McCrimmon and Nikki Teasley each with one.

The Eastern Conference champion New York Liberty were a close second with 10 Buick Player of the Game honors, led by Tamika Whitmore's four. Other Liberty players who also received the honor were Tari Phillips with three, Vickie Johnson with two and Becky Hammon with one.

Below is a list of all the 2002 Buick "Player of the Game" winners:

Los Angeles Sparks	Amount	New York Liberty	Amount
Lisa Leslie	$6,000	Tamika Whitmore	$4,000
Mwadi Mabika	$3,000	Tari Phillips	$3,000
Nicky McCrimmon	$1,000	Vickie Johnson	$2,000
Nikki Teasley	$1,000	Becky Hammon	$1,000
Houston Comets		Utah Starzz
Sheryl Swoopes	$4,000	Natalie Williams	$2,000
Tina Thompson	$2,000	Margo Dydek	$1,000
Tiffani Johnson	$1,000	Marie Ferdinand	$1,000
Washington Mystics		Sacramento Monarchs
Chamique Holdsclaw	$3,000	Tangela Smith	$3,000
Coco Miller	$1,000	Ruthie Bolton	$1,000
Charlotte Sting		Cleveland Rockers
Kelly Miller	$1,000	Chasity Melvin	$1,000
Andrea Stinson	$1,000	Penny Taylor	$1,000
Portland Fire		Seattle Storm
Ukari Figgs	$1,000	Sue Bird	$2,000
DeMya Walker	$1,000
Indiana Fever		Orlando Miracle
Tamika Catchings	$1,000	Nykesha Sales	$1,000

General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 355,000 people around the world. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

A record 2,362,430 fans attended WNBA games this season, with an average of 9,220 fans attending games in 2002, up from 9,075 last year.