Hanns-G \'Go Beyond' 2008 WNBA All-Rookie Team announced

October 3, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2008 - The Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' 2008 WNBA All-Rookie Team was announced today by the WNBA, headlined by Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker, the unanimous 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Parker is joined on the team by Minnesota Lynx guard Candice Wiggins, Chicago Sky center Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx center Nicky Anosike, Houston Comets guard Matee Ajavon and Connecticut Sun forward Amber Holt. Ajavon and Holt tied for the fifth spot on the team and were both rewarded with a selection.

The voting panel consisted of the WNBA's 14 head coaches, who were asked to select five players regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team.

Parker, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, finished the season as the league leader in rebounding (9.5 rpg) and fourth overall in scoring (18.5 ppg), both of which topped all rookies. She burst into the league by narrowly missing the league's first triple-double in her first game. Two games later, she recorded the league's first "5x5," by recording five or more in five different statistical categories: points (16), rebounds (16), blocks (six), assists (five) and steals (five). Parker was named the Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' Rookie of the Month for May and July.

Wiggins was previously named the 2008 Sixth Woman of the Year after averaging 15.7 points per game (second among rookies) 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists (third among rookies). Coming off the bench in all but one game, she posted the highest scoring average for a sixth woman in league history. Wiggins, drafted No. 3 overall by the Lynx, was named Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' Rookie of the Month in June.

Fowles, selected No. 2 overall in the draft by the Sky, was sidelined for half of the season due to injury. In her time on the court, she averaged 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, which would have placed her third and second, respectively, among rookie leaders had she played enough games to qualify. Upon her return from injury following the Olympic break, Fowles was named Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' Rookie of the Month for September. In her 17 games, she posted six double-doubles, which was the fifth-most in the league.

Anosike, Parker's former teammate at Tennessee and the only second-round pick on the All-Rookie Team, averaged 9.2 points, third among rookies, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals, both of which ranked second among her peers. Ajavon, the fifth overall pick, posted 8.0 points per game, serving as one of the Comets' top options off the bench. Holt, the ninth overall pick, started every game for the Sun, averaging 6.5 points per game.

Below are the results for the Hanns-G 'Go Beyond' 2008 WNBA All-Rookie Team:

HANNS-G 'GO BEYOND' 2008 WNBA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

Candace Parker Los Angeles Sparks Forward 13

Candice Wiggins Minnesota Lynx Guard 13

Sylvia Fowles Chicago Sky Center 12

Nicky Anosike Minnesota Lynx Center 11

Matee Ajavon Houston Comets Guard 5

Amber Holt Connecticut Sun Forward 5

Women's National Basketball Association Stories from October 3, 2008

• 2008 All-WNBA First and Second Teams announced - WNBA
• Hanns-G ‘Go Beyond' 2008 WNBA All-Rookie Team announced - WNBA
• Los Angeles Sparks' Candace Parker named Hanns-G ‘Go Beyond' 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year - WNBA
• Chicago Sky's Sylvia Fowles named Hanns-G ‘Go Beyond' Rookie of the Month for September - WNBA

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