About Alana
Career Highlights:
- WNBA Champion (2016)
- WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018)
- WNBA All-Star (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009)
- All-WNBA Second Team (2006)
- WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2007, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2006, 2009, 2014)
- Most career steals among active players (697)
- All-time steals leader in Washington Mystics history
- No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft (Washington)
- First woman to win the John R. Wooden, State Farm Wade Trophy and Naismith Player of the Year Awards
- Duke’s first National Player of the Year and three-time ACC Player of the Year
2019 (Los Angeles):
- Missed 15 games due to hamstring injury
- Scored a season-high 10 points on August 16 against Chicago
- Averaged 3.3 points, 1.4 assists, 1.5 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game
- Beard’s 14.7 minutes per game average was the lowest of her career
2018 (Los Angeles):
- Collected her second consecutive WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, which marked her ninth-career WNBA All-Defensive Team selection
- Played and started in 30 regular-season games as well as starting both playoff games
- Averaged 4.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 25.5 minutes per game and shot 40.0 percent from beyond the arc
- Averaged at least 1.0 steals per game for the 13th consecutive season
- Notched a season-high 11 points in a 77-75 win over the eventual 2018 champions Seattle Storm on July 10
- Missed four regular-season games with a strained groin
- Averaged 5.0 points 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game during the playoffs when the Sparks reached the second round
2017 (Los Angeles):
- Named Defensive Player of the Year
- Averaged 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and started in all 34 games
- Shot a career-high 49.7 percent from the field
- Led the league in steals averaging 2.1 per game and averaged at least 1.0 steals per game for the 12th consecutive season
- Recorded at least one steal in 32 of the 34 games
- Logged a season-high five steals twice against Seattle on May 13 and Chicago on Aug. 18
- Scored a season-high 18 points in a win over Chicago on June 6
- Had at least 10 points in 10 games this season
- Averaged 7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game during the playoffs, helping the Sparks reach back-to-back WNBA Finals
2016 (Los Angeles):
- Played and started in all 34 games and averaged 7.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game
- Ranked second in the league in steals per game (1.7)
- Averaged at least 1.0 steals per game for the 11th consecutive season
- Moved into the top 25 on the WNBA’s career scoring list, top 10 in career steals and top 30 in career assists
- Tallied a season-high five steals in a victory over Washington on May 20
- Selected to WNBA All-Defensive First Team for the third time
- Averaged 10.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists in the WNBA Finals series against Minnesota
- Registered eight points, six assists and four rebounds in the Sparks’ 77-76 Game 5 win over Minnesota to win the WNBA Championship on Oct. 20
2015 (Los Angeles):
- Averaged 7.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in 14 regular season games
- Ranked fifth in the league in steals per game (2.1)
- Averaged at least 1.0 steals per game for the 10th consecutive season
- Scored a season-high 20 points in a loss to Seattle on June 6
- Played her 300th career game on Aug. 16 against Chicago
- Missed 15 games of the regular season due to injury (June 16 through July 22 and on Aug. 11)
- Averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals in three games played of the Western Conference Semifinals
- Tied a career playoff-high four steals in Game 2 of the semifinals against Minnesota on Sept. 20
2014 (Los Angeles):
- Started all 33 games played and averaged 8.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists
- Scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and recorded five assists in the opening night win over Seattle on May 16
- Logged a season-high 20 points to go along with five assists and four rebounds in a win over Tulsa on June 19
- Racked up 17 points, a season-high seven rebounds and a team-high six assists in a victory over Indiana on July 28
- Scored a team-high 18 points (16 second-half points) on 8-of-11 from the field in a 70-69 win over Connecticut on Aug. 3
- Earned WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honors
- Started in both playoff games and averaged 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game
2013 (Los Angeles):
- Started all 32 games played and averaged 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists
- Recorded a season-high eight rebounds to go along with 11 points and four steals in a win over Connecticut on Aug. 27
- Hit game-winning shot with 10.2 seconds remaining in a victory over Seattle on July 20
- Scored a season-high 13 points in three different games (Seattle on May 26, Atlanta on July 17 and Tulsa on Aug. 25)
- Averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and in three playoff games
- Logged 12 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals in a playoff career-high 39 minutes of action in an 82-73 Game 2 win over Phoenix of the Western Conference Semifinals
2012 (Los Angeles):
- Played in all 34 games and started 33
- Averaged 11.4 points, 3.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game
- Notched a career-high 10 assists and season-high 23 points against San Antonio on June 16
- Recorded 400th career steal against Seattle on Aug. 18
- Finished season ranked sixth among league leaders in steals averaging 2.0 per game
- Earned WNBA All-Defensive First Team honors for the second time
- Averaged 16.5 points, 3.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals in four playoff games
- Racked up 18 points, three assists and two steals in her first postseason game with the Sparks (San Antonio on Sept. 27)
2011 (Washington):
- Missed the 2011 season with a foot injury
2010 (Washington):
- Missed the 2010 season due to ankle surgery during the offseason
2009 (Washington):
- Started 30 games and averaged a team-high 15.9 points per game
- Recorded a career-high 72 steals, which ranked fifth in the league, and ranked third in steals per game (2.3)
- Ranked eighth in the league in made field goals with 188
- Turned in a season-high 31-point performance in a win over Chicago on June 20
- Selected to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Named a starter in the WNBA All-Star game
- Averaged 9.5 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in two games during Washington’s first-round series against Indiana
2008 (Washington):
- Started all 33 games and averaged 16.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game
- Finished sixth in the league in total steals with 72 on the season
- Went 6-of-8 from beyond the arc en route to a career-high 33 points against Phoenix on June 3
- Led the team in scoring (532), assists (117) and steals (55)
- Scored double figures 25 times and led the team in scoring for the fourth consecutive year
- Registered her 2,500th career point against Connecticut on July 27
2007 (Washington):
- Averaged a team-high 18.8 points her game while shooting a career-high 84.7 percent from the free throw line
- Finished the season ranked fourth in the league in total points (622), third in minutes played (1,169), third in field goals made (224) and fourth in steals per game (1.9)
- Logged a season-high 29 points against Phoenix on June 20
- Grabbed her 500th career rebound against Houston on July 18
- Collected her 2,000th career point against Seattle on Aug. 11
- Earned third consecutive WNBA All-Star game appearance and second consecutive All-Star game start
- Named to WNBA All-Defensive First Team
- Missed one game due to a shoulder injury
2006 (Washington):
- Had a breakout season averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game while shooting a career-high 49.5 percent from the field
- Started in 32 games and recorded at least 20 points in 18 games
- Finished the season ranked sixth in the league in both points and steals per game
- Registered her first-career double-double logging 24 points and 10 rebounds against Indiana on June 27
- Named a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team and earned All-WNBA Second Team honors
- Missed two games due to a sprained ankle
- Averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in two contests during Washington’s first-round series against Connecticut
2005 (Washington):
- Started 30 games and averaged 14.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists
- Finished the season ranked ninth in scoring and 10th in minutes per game
- Played a career-high 48 minutes in a double overtime win over Indiana on June 18
- Named to the Eastern conference All-Star team and earned WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honors
2004 (Washington):
- Started in all 34 games and averaged 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 41.8 percent from the field
- Averaged 22.5 points during the team’s last six games of the season
- Set a franchise record for most steals in a season logging 69 steals
- Led the team in steals, assists, blocks and minutes played
- Was a candidate for both Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year
- Averaged 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.7 blocks and 2.0 steals during Washington’s first-round series against Connecticut
Transactions:
- Selected by the Washington Mystics in the first round with the second overall pick of 2004 WNBA Draft
- Signed by the Los Angeles Sparks as a free agent on Feb. 8, 2012
Overseas:
- Shinsegae Coolcat (2005-2006)
- Elitzur Ramla (2007)
- Elitzur Ramla (2011-2012)
- Wisla Can-Pack Kraków (2012-2013)
- Perfumerias Avenida (2015-2016)
International:
- Named to the USA Basketball Women’s World Championship team in 2006
- Finished second in scoring behind Diana Taurasi averaging 18.0 points per game and helped the team to a bronze medal finish
- Member of the USA Basketball Women’s U18 national team which won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mar Del Plata, Argentina in July of 2000
- Started all five games and led all scorers with 15.4 points per game during the team’s run
College:
- Compiled a 126-14 (.900) record at Duke
- Won four Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season and four ACC Tournament titles
- Helped Duke advance to four NCAA Tournaments, including the 2002 and 2003 Final Fours
- Became the first Duke women’s basketball player to have her jersey retired
- Named the 2004 Associated Press (A.P.) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Player of the Year and was the 2004 Wade Trophy recipient
- Earned 2003 NCAA All-Final Four honors and was a three-time (2002, 2003 and 2004) All-American selection by the A.P., USBWA and Kodak/WBCA
- Three-time ACC Player of the Year and ACC All-Defensive Team selection (2002, 2003, 2004)
- Was a four-time All-ACC first team honoree
- The National Freshman of the Year in 2001 as selected by USBWA, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sportsline and the Women’s Basketball Journal
- Capped her career as Duke’s all-time leading scorer with 2,687 points
Personal:
- Full name: Alana Monique Beard
- Born May 14, 1982 in Shreveport, Louisiana
- Daughter of LeRoy and Marie Beard
- Has a Yorkshire terrier, Chloe
- Ambassador for WNBA’s Dribble to Stop Diabetes campaign
- Founded the Alana Beard Foundation where she sponsors seven girls AAU basketball teams, which foster a “no-excuse” environment to provide the young women of tomorrow with the necessary resources critical to achieving success on or off court
- Intern at Next Play Capital in San Francisco, California