Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes Voted In as All-Star Starters
July 5, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Houston Comets News Release
HOUSTON - Houston Comets guard Dawn Staley and forward Sheryl Swoopes have been voted in as starters for the Western Conference in the 2006 WNBA All-Star game, which will be held on July 12 from New York. The WNBA will announce reserves for the All-Star game on Friday, July 8.
Joining Staley and Swoopes as Western Conference starters are Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird and forward Lauren Jackson, and Sacramento Monarchs' center Yolanda Griffith.
The Eastern Conference starters are comprised of New York Liberty guard Becky Hammon, Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings, Connecticut Sun guard Lindsay Whalen, forward Nykesha Sales and center Margo Dydek.
Dawn Staley has been selected as a starter to the All-Star game for the fourth time in her career (voted as a reserve in 2001). Staley becomes the first player in WNBA history to start for both the Western and Eastern Conference teams. She has played in the All-Star game four previous times (2001-2003, 2005) as a member of the Eastern Conference squad when she was with the Charlotte Sting. In those four games she averaged 3.75 points, 4.75 assists and 2.5 rebounds. In 2003, Staley recorded a game-high seven assists, and also won the Skills Challenge on All-Star Friday by defeating Sue Bird. Playing in her last season, Staley has already accumulated many achievements including her selection to the WNBA All-Decade Team.
"I'm truly flattered that the fans voted me in as a starter," said Staley. "It comes as a surprise as always, and I will uphold the fans' honor as well as look forward to getting my first All-Star victory."
Sheryl Swoopes has been voted to the All-Star team for the sixth time as a starter. She has averaged 8.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in five career All-Star games (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005). In each of those years she was the leading vote-getter in the WNBA All-Star Balloting. In the 2005 game held in Connecticut, she recorded 15 points, four rebounds and two assists to capture the All-Star MVP. Along with Staley, Swoopes was also selected to the WNBA All-Decade Team, and recently scored her 4,000th point at New York (6/16), marking just the third time a WNBA player has achieved this feat.
"I'm truly honored to be selected for this year's All-Star game," said Swoopes. "To know that the fans played a big part in me being selected, I can only thank them for all of the support that they've given me throughout the years. Once again, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me, and I can't wait to get to New York and represent the Western Conference alongside Dawn (Staley)."
This season marks the 10th Anniversary for the Comets and the WNBA, making it the longest-running professional women's league in history. Come out and watch the Comets take on the Detroit Shock on Sunday July 9, or listen to the broadcast on SportsRadio 610 beginning at 5 p.m. To purchase mini-plans or group tickets, call (713) 627-WNBA or go online to www.houstoncomets.com.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 5, 2006
- Lynx daily update - Minnesota Lynx
- Bird and Jackson Named as Starters for 2006 WNBA All-Star Game - Seattle Storm
- Big Week For Liberty Basketball - New York Liberty
- New Facility to Aid Hundreds of Homeless Children in New York - WNBA
- Sun Land League-High Three Starters on WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star Team - Connecticut Sun
- Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes Voted In as All-Star Starters - Houston Comets
- Yolanda Griffith Named Starter for 2006 WNBA All-Star Game - Sacramento Monarchs
- Lauren Jackson Named Player of the Week - WNBA
- WNBA names 2006 All-Star starting lineups - WNBA
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