UNCASVILLE, Conn. (July 20, 2009) – Asjha Jones was named to the 2009 Eastern Conference All-Star team as a reserve forward Monday, and will represent the Connecticut Sun on Saturday, July 25th, when the WNBA All-Star Game is contested at Mohegan Sun Arena.
“It’s nice being recognized as one of the better players in the league,” Jones said Monday. “I think my teammates have helped me out a lot. We’ve been getting better every game, and that helps me get better.”
Jones is leading Connecticut in scoring and rebounding this season, averaging 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. She has been the top Sun scorer in a game nine times this season, and has scored in double figures 13 times in 14 games, including 11 games in a row.
“I’m just excited that she is being consistently honored as one of the best players in the league,” Sun coach Mike Thibault said. “I was surprised she wasn’t a starter. She made all-league last year, second team, and is one of the best power forwards in the league. A lot of our success is because of her improvement into an elite player.
The All-Star reserves are chosen by the WNBA head coaches, who are limited to voting for players from the other teams in their own conference. They are not allowed to select their own players. This is the second time Jones has been named to the All Star team. She was also a reserve in 2007.
“It will be great to have the All Star Game here,” Jones said, noting the event is being held at Mohegan Sun Arena for the second time. “I’m the only All Star from Connecticut, so it will be nice to represent our team here on our home court.”
Following are the reserves for the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game:
| Eastern Conference Reserves: | Western Conference Reserves |
| Katie Smith (Detroit Shock) | Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) |
| Jia Perkins (Chicago Sky) | Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury) |
| Sancho Lyttle (Atlanta Dream) | Nicky Anosike (Minnesota Lynx) |
| Shameka Christon (New York Liberty) | Tina Thompson (Los Angeles Sparks) |
| Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun) | Charde Houston (Minnesota Lynx) |
| Erika de Souza (Atlanta Dream) | Sophia Young (San Antonio Silver Stars) |
