Washington�s Temeka Johnson Named 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year

NEW YORK, Sept. 14 � Mystics guard Temeka Johnson is the 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year, receiving 44 of a possible 50 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, the WNBA announced today.

Johnson, the sixth overall selection in the 2005 WNBA Draft, started all 34 games for the Mystics, finishing the year ranked second in the WNBA in assists (5.2 apg), and tallying more total assists than anyone in the league (177). She also ranked 17th in field goal percentage (.458) and 18th in steals (1.29 spg)

Among rookies, Johnson ranked first in scoring (9.3 ppg), assists, steals and minutes played (973), second in free throw percentage (.788) and fourth in field goal percentage.

Johnson, a four-year letterman at Louisiana State University, finished her college career as the Southeastern Conference�s leader in total assists and was a three-time Associated Press All-America and was named the Nancy Lieberman award winner as the nations top point guard in her senior year.

As the WNBA Rookie of the Year, Johnson will receive a Tiffany-designed trophy and $5,000.

Below are the complete results of the 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year voting, followed by a list of previous winners:

2005 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RESULTS

Player Team Votes
Temeka JohnsonWashington Mystics44
Katie FeenstraSan Antonio Silver Stars3
Tan WhiteIndiana Fever2
Suzy BatkovicSeattle Storm1

PREVIOUS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WINNERS

Year Player Team
2005Temeka JohnsonWashington Mystics
2004Diana TaurasiPhoenix Mercury
2003Cheryl FordDetroit Shock
2002Tamika CatchingsIndiana Fever
2001Jackie StilesPortland Fire
2000Betty LennoxMinnesota Lynx
1999Chamique HoldsclawWashington Mystics
1998Tracy ReidCharlotte Sting