WNBA Names 2009 adidas All-Rookie Team
September 24, 2009 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2009 - The 2009 adidas All-Rookie Team was announced today by the WNBA, headlined by Atlanta Dream forward Angel McCoughtry and Phoenix Mercury guard/forward DeWanna Bonner. They are joined on the team by Detroit Shock guard Shavonte Zellous, Minnesota Lynx guard Renee Montgomery and Washington Mystics guard Marissa Coleman.
The voting panel consisted of the WNBA's 13 head coaches, who were asked to select five players regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team.
McCoughtry, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft presented by adidas, topped the charts among all WNBA rookies in points (12.8) and steals (2.2) and ranked fifth in assists (2.1). McCoughtry's 2.2 steals per game led the Dream and placed her in the top five among league leaders. She finished the season with two consecutive adidas Rookie of the Month honors. McCoughtry helped propel a team that finished with only four wins in 2008 to second place in the Eastern Conference this season. The Dream advanced to the 2009 WNBA Playoffs presented by adidas, marking the first postseason appearance in franchise history. The 14-game improvement is the second-best single-season turnaround in WNBA history.
Bonner, selected No. 5 overall in the draft, was recently honored with the 2009 Sixth Woman of the Year Award presented by Kia Motors. Bonner helped propel the Mercury to 23 wins, a seven-game improvement from 2008. She led her team in rebounds (5.8 rpg) and was third in points (11.2 ppg). Her 5.8 rebounds slotted her first and her 11.2 points placed her third among all WNBA rookies. Despite coming off the bench in all 34 games, Bonner averaged over 20 minutes per game and led all rookies in double-doubles (five). Bonner was named the adidas Rookie of the Month for May.
Zellous, selected No. 11 overall in the draft, played a major part in the Shock's late run to secure a spot in the Playoffs. She ranked second among rookies in points (11.9), was second overall in the league in free throws made (155) and averaged 1.8 assists per game. Zellous scored in double-digits in 21 of the 34 games played.
Montgomery, the No. 4 overall draft pick, became a consistent option off the bench in her first season. She averaged 9.0 points and 2.1 assists. Montgomery, who started nine games this season ranked third on the Lynx in assists and ranked in the top five among rookies in assists and points. She tallied a career-high 24 points in a 95-88 win over the Connecticut Sun on Aug. 7.
Coleman, the No. 3 overall draft pick, was sidelined for several games early in the season due to an injury but played a key role coming off the bench in the Mystics' return to the Playoffs. She averaged 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in her first season.
Below are the top finishers in the vote for the 2009 adidas All-Rookie Team:
2009 adidas ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Angel McCoughtry Atlanta Dream Forward 12
DeWanna Bonner Phoenix Mercury Guard/Forward 12
Shavonte Zellous Detroit Shock Guard 11
Renee Montgomery Minnesota Lynx Guard 11
Marissa Coleman Washington Mystics Guard 6
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 24, 2009
- McCoughtry named to 2009 adidas All-Rookie Team - Atlanta Dream
- Lynx Guard Renee Montgomery Named to 2009 WNBA All-Rookie Team - Minnesota Lynx
- WNBA Names 2009 adidas All-Rookie Team - WNBA
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