Detroit�s Deanna Nolan and Phoenix�s Penny Taylor Named WNBA Players of the Week

NEW YORK, August 13, 2007 � Deanna Nolan of the Detroit Shock and Penny Taylor of the Phoenix Mercury were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, August 6 through Sunday, August 12.

Nolan averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and shot 54 percent (24-for-44) from the field, 46 percent (6-for-13) from behind the arc and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line, as the Shock posted a 2-1 record on the week, and in the process clinched the league�s best record to secure home-court advantage through the WNBA playoffs.

On August 9, Nolan scored 18 points, dished seven assists, and grabbed four rebounds, two blocks and a steal while shooting 7-for-13 from the floor, leading the Shock to their fifth straight victory, 97-70 over the Seattle Storm.

Two days later on August 11, Nolan recorded 26 points, including 18 in the second half, along with 10 rebounds, a block and converted 9-of-16 field goal attempts and 7-of-7 free throws in a come from behind victory over the Indiana Fever, 74-69, which clinched the Shock�s home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Shock�s leading scorer with 16.6 points per game, Nolan ranks 12th in the league in points, eighth in assists (4.0 per game), 15th in field-goals (46 percent) and 14th in steals (1.42 per game).

Taylor led the Mercury to an undefeated 3-0 record on the week and an overall league-leading conference record of 15-5, by averaging 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.3 blocks and shooting 66 percent (27-for-41) from the floor, 50 percent (6-for-12) from three-point range and 92 percent (22-for-24) from the free throw line.

During the week, Taylor was the Mercury�s leading scorer in all games, tallying at least 23+ points in each contest and reaching the 500-point mark for the first time in her career. Her performance helped the team to two franchise firsts: 21 regular season wins and 10 games above .500.

On August 7, Taylor tallied 23 points, five rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals while hitting 8-for-14 on field goals and 7-for-7 on free throws, as the Mercury defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 96-93. She posted equally impressive numbers on August 9, with 31 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and 13-for-18 converted field goals, in a 97-86 win over the New York Liberty. Two days later, on August 11, the team secured another victory over the Sparks with Taylor�s 28 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Other candidates for WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Indiana�s Anna DeForge, New York�s Janel McCarville, Sacramento�s Rebekkah Brunson, San Antonio�s Sophia Young and Washington�s Alana Beard.

About the WNBA
The WNBA tipped off its second decade of play on May 19, 2007, featuring comprehensive national television coverage. ESPN2 and ABC will combine to televise up to 36 games nationally during the 2007 regular season and playoffs. The second straight year of �WNBA Tuesdays� on ESPN2 includes five doubleheaders and WNBA action on 11 of 14 Tuesday nights in-season. NBA TV will complement ABC and ESPN2's coverage by televising 70 regular-season and up to nine playoff games. On July 15, the WNBA reached a major milestone, announcing a new, eight-year agreement with ESPN to have ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 televise games through the 2016 season. The agreement extends the WNBA�s relationship with ESPN, which began with the league�s inaugural season in 1997, to 20 seasons.