HOUSTON – The Houston Comets announced today that the team has re-signed veteran guard Dawn Staley to a free agent contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“I’m going to savor every moment, every game and every practice of my last year and hope that I can come away with a WNBA Championship,” said Staley. “I think it’s fitting that my playing career will end with the Comets alongside Sheryl (Swoopes) and Van (Chancellor), two people that have been such an important part of my basketball life for so many years.”

Staley (5-6, Virginia ‘92 ) was acquired along with a 2006 second-round pick from the Charlotte Sting in exchange for Adrienne Goodson, Kristen Rasmussen and a 2006 first-round pick on August 1, 2005 . She averaged 5.4 points and 4.5 assists in 33 games last season with Charlotte and Houston. With the Comets, Staley averaged 3.3 points and 2.8 assists in 10 games (three starts) during the regular season, and 4.2 points, 2.8 assists and 1.80 steals during the playoffs. Staley led the WNBA with a 2.76 assist-to-turnover ratio, while compiling 149 assists and 54 turnovers in the 2005 season. She also ranked sixth overall in both assists per game (4.5) and total assists (149), and r anked third in assists per 40 minutes (6.6) .

A four-time All-Star, Staley holds career averages of 8.6 points and 5.3 assists in her seven seasons in the WNBA. She currently ranks third in WNBA history with a total of 1,204 assists. Staley currently serves as head coach for the women’s basketball team at Temple, and will be serving as an assistant coach of the 2006 USA Women’s World Championship Team. She was selected by Charlotte in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1999 WNBA Draft.

This season will mark the 10 th Anniversary for the Comets and the WNBA, making it the longest-running professional women’s league in history. The 2006 season will tip off at Toyota Center on May 21 st when the Comets host the San Antonio Silver Stars. To purchase season tickets, mini-plans or group tickets, call (713) 627-WNBA or go online at www.houstoncomets.com.