LOS ANGELES' LISA LESLIE, MINNESOTA'S KATIE SMITH HEAD UP FIRST TEAM

2001 All-WNBA First and Second Teams Announced


NEW YORK, Aug. 30 -- All-time WNBA leading scorer (2,670) Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks and all-time single-season scoring leader Katie Smith (23.1 ppg) of the Minnesota Lynx have been named to the 2001 All-WNBA First Team presented by Bud Light. Houston Comets guard Janeth Arcain, Cleveland Rockers guard Merlakia Jones and Utah Starzz forward Natalie Williams join Leslie (center) and Smith (forward) on the first team.

Smith

Leslie

Leslie received the most points with 285, followed by Smith (280) and Arcain (265). Williams, who is making her third straight appearance on the All-WNBA First Team, received 259 points, while Jones tallied 193 points.

The All-WNBA Second Team presented by Bud Light features Sacramento Monarchs center Yolanda Griffith (157 points), forwards Tina Thompson (181) of Houston and Chamique Holdsclaw (102) of Washington, and guards Ticha Penicheiro (89) of Sacramento and Tamecka Dixon (83) of Los Angeles.

Each All-WNBA player will receive a Tiffany-designed trophy. In addition, Bud Light will present each member of the First Team with a check for $10,000 and each member of the Second Team with $5,000.

The 60-member voting panel consisted of 12 national media representatives, as well as media representatives from each of the league's 16 markets who cover the WNBA regularly. Players named to the 2001 All-WNBA First and Second Teams were selected by position. Points were awarded on a five (First Team) to three (Second Team) basis.

Below are the results of the balloting:

2001 ALL-WNBA FIRST TEAM PRESENTED BY BUD LIGHT

PositionPlayer, TeamTotal Points
ForwardKatie Smith, Minnesota280
ForwardNatalie Williams, Utah 259
CenterLisa Leslie, Los Angeles285
GuardJaneth Arcain, Houston265
GuardMerlakia Jones, Cleveland193

2001 ALL-WNBA SECOND TEAM PRESENTED BY BUD LIGHT

PositionPlayer, TeamTotal Points
ForwardTina Thompson, Houston181
ForwardChamique Holdsclaw, Washington102
CenterYolanda Griffith, Sacramento157
GuardTicha Penicheiro, Sacramento89
GuardTamecka Dixon, Los Angeles83

Other players receiving votes: Dawn Staley, 64; Andrea Stinson, 55; Jennifer Azzi, 54; Teresa Weatherspoon 50; Jackie Stiles, 36; Elena Baranova, 35; Lauren Jackson, 27; Tari Phillips, 24; Sandy Brondello, 18; Sheri Sam, 15; Nykesha Sales, 12; Latasha Byears, 9; Helen Darling, 6; Allison Feaster, 6; Adrienne Goodson, 6; Vickie Johnson, 6; Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, 3; Rushia Brown, 3; Kedra Holland-Corn, 3; Shannon Johnson, 3; Mwadi Mabika, 3; Taj McWilliams-Franklin, 3; Chasity Melvin, 3; DeLisha Milton, 3; Tangela Smith, 3.