2005 All-WNBA Teams Presented by Bud Light Announced

Published on September 18, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 - For the fifth time in her career, the Houston Comets' Sheryl Swoopes occupies one of the forward spots on the 2005 All-WNBA First Team presented by Bud Light. The 2005 WNBA MVP tallied more votes than any other player.

Joining Swoopes on the First Team at forward is the Seattle Storm's Lauren Jackson, a three-time honoree. Jackson's teammate Sue Bird occupies one of the backcourt spots for the fourth time in her four-year career. The Detroit Shock's Deanna Nolan rounds out the backcourt. It's Nolan's first appearance on the First Team. Rounding out the first team is the Sacramento Monarchs' center Yolanda Griffith, a two-time First Team performer.

The 2005 All-WNBA Second Team presented by Bud Light features five All-Stars, led by nine-time All-WNBA center Lisa Leslie. Forwards on the Second Team are 2005 Defensive Player of the Year Tamika Catchings from Indiana and 2005 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship award winner Taj McWilliams-Franklin from Connecticut. Rounding out the Second Team are the New York Liberty's Becky Hammon and Phoenix Mercury's Diana Taurasi in the backcourt.

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

Players named to the 2005 All-WNBA First and Second Teams were selected, by position, from a panel of national sportswriters and broadcasters, with First Team votes receiving five points and Second Team votes receiving three votes.

Below are the complete results of the 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year voting:

2005 All-WNBA FIRST TEAM PRESENTED BY BUD LIGHT

Position Player, Team Total Points
Forward Sheryl Swoopes (Houston Comets) 233
Forward Lauren Jackson (Seattle Storm) 223
Guard Deanna Nolan (Detroit Shock) 169
Guard Sue Bird (Seattle Storm) 142
Center Yolanda Griffith (Sacramento Monarchs) 164

2005 All-WNBA SECOND TEAM PRESENTED BY BUD LIGHT

Position Player, Team Total Points
Forward Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever) 205
Forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin (Connecticut Sun) 127
Guard Becky Hammon (New York Liberty) 126
Guard Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) 124
Center Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks) 106

Other players receiving votes: Forwards - Chamique Holdsclaw, Los Angeles Sparks (104), Cheryl Ford, Detroit Shock (15), DeMya Walker, Sacramento Monarchs (9), Nicole Powell, Sacramento Monarchs (3). Guards - Lindsay Whalen, Connecticut Sun (118), Nykesha Sales, Connecticut Sun (91), Alana Beard, Washington Mystics (15), Ticha Penicheiro, Sacramento Monarchs (8), Janeth Arcain, Houston Comets (3). Center - Michelle Snow, Houston Comets (9), Ann Wauters, New York Liberty (6).

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The WNBA continues to enjoy a successful season entering Game 3 of the Finals. Including Game 2 of the Championship series, the WNBA Playoffs on ESPN2 saw viewership increase +30 percent. Game 3 airs today on ABC at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. Game 4 will air on Tuesday on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. For more information, go to WNBA.com.

Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 18, 2005

• Detroit's Nolan named to All-WNBA First Team - Detroit Shock
• 2005 All-WNBA Teams Presented by Bud Light Announced - WNBA
• Houston's Sheryl Swoopes Named 2005 WNBA Most Valuable Player - WNBA

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