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WNBA Chicago Sky

Jessica Breland to Make WNBA All-Star Debut as Eastern Conference Reserve

July 15, 2014 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release


CHICAGO -Chicago Sky forward Jessica Breland will make the first All-Star appearance of her career as she was named a reserve for the 2014 WNBA All-Star Game presented by Boost Mobile. Breland is the second Sky player voted to the 2014 Eastern Conference All-Star team. Sky forward Elena Delle Donne was named a starter and earned the most votes in the Eastern Conference for the second-straight year. Reserves joining Breland in the frontcourt for the Eastern Conference will be Chiney Ogwumike, Tina Charles and Erika de Souza. Katie Douglas and Briann January round out the backcourt.

"Being named an All-Star is an experience that every player dreams of and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to play with some of the greatest players in the world," said Sky forward Jessica Breland. "Reflecting on everything that I've overcome makes this honor even more special for me."

Breland, who overcame cancer while at the University of North Carolina, and was out of the WNBA in 2012, is having a career year, averaging 11.8 ppg (more than double her previous best of 5.3 ppg). After only starting two games in her career prior to the 2014 season, Breland has been a part of the Sky's starting unit in each of her 19 appearances in 2014. She has set new career-highs in almost every major statistical category including points (26), rebounds (15, twice), blocks (7) and assists (6).

The third-year forward currently ranks fourth in the WNBA in blocks per game (1.79) and eighth in double-doubles (6), with two coming in back-to-back games (New York, 5/17 and Connecticut, 5/21). She also leads the Sky in total points (224), rebounds (147) and blocks (34) on the season.

"Jessica is a warrior," said Sky Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman. "The perseverance she's demonstrated by overcoming obstacles in her career both on and off the court to maximize the opportunity she's been given and make it to this moment in her career is inspiring."

The 12th WNBA All-Star Game presented by Boost Mobile will be held Saturday, July 19. The game will be played at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Mercury. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Reserves were chosen by the league's 12 head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team and selected reserves by voting for six players within their own conference, including two guards, three frontcourt players, and one player regardless of position.

Following are the reserves selected for Boost Mobile WNBA All-Star 2014:

Eastern Conference Reserves: Western Conference Reserves:

Jessica Breland, Frontcourt (Chicago Sky) Seimone Augustus, Backcourt (Minnesota Lynx)

Tina Charles, Frontcourt (New York Liberty) Candice Dupree, Frontcourt (Phoenix Mercury)

Erika de Souza, Frontcourt (Atlanta Dream) Glory Johnson, Frontcourt (Tulsa Shock)

Katie Douglas, Backcourt (Connecticut Sun) Nneka Ogwumike, Frontcourt (Los Angeles Sparks)

Briann January, Backcourt (Indiana Fever) Danielle Robinson, Backcourt (San Antonio Stars)

Chiney Ogwumike, Frontcourt (Connecticut Sun) Lindsay Whalen, Backcourt (Minnesota Lynx)

BOOST MOBILE WNBA ALL-STAR 2014 ROSTERS (alphabetical)

EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

Head Coach: Michael Cooper (Atlanta Dream)

Player Team Position Ht. DOB From Yrs.

Jessica Breland^ Chicago Sky Frontcourt 6-3 2/23/88 North Carolina 2

Tamika Catchings* Indiana Fever Frontcourt 6-1 7/21/79 Tennessee 13

Tina Charles New York Liberty Frontcourt 6-4 12/5/88 Connecticut 4

Elena Delle Donne* Chicago Sky Frontcourt 6-5 9/5/89 Delaware 1

Erika de Souza Atlanta Dream Frontcourt 6-5 3/9/82 Brazil 8

Katie Douglas Connecticut Sun Backcourt 6-0 5/7/79 Purdue 13

Briann January^ Indiana Fever Backcourt 5-8 1/11/87 Arizona State 5

Angel McCoughtry* Atlanta Dream Frontcourt 6-1 9/10/86 Louisville 5

Chiney Ogwumike^+ Connecticut Sun Frontcourt 6-4 3/21/92 Stanford R

Cappie Pondexter* New York Liberty Backcourt 5-9 1/7/83 Rutgers 8

Shoni Schimmel*^+ Atlanta Dream Backcourt 5-9 5/4/92 Louisville R

WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

Head Coach: Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx)

Player Team Position

Seimone Augustus Minnesota Lynx Backcourt 6-0 4/30/84 LSU 8

Skylar Diggins*^ Tulsa Shock Backcourt 5-9 8/2/90 Notre Dame 1

Candice Dupree Phoenix Mercury Frontcourt 6-2 8/16/84 Temple 8

Brittney Griner* Phoenix Mercury Frontcourt 6-8 10/18/90 Baylor 1

Glory Johnson Tulsa Shock Frontcourt 6-3 7/27/90 Tennessee 2

Maya Moore* Minnesota Lynx Frontcourt 6-0 6/11/89 Connecticut 3

Nneka Ogwumike Los Angeles Sparks Frontcourt 6-2 7/2/90 Stanford 2

Candace Parker* Los Angeles Sparks Frontcourt 6-4 4/19/86 Tennessee 6

Danielle Robinson San Antonio Stars Backcourt 5-9 5/10/89 Oklahoma 3

Diana Taurasi* Phoenix Mercury Backcourt 6-0 6/11/82 Connecticut 10

Lindsay Whalen Minnesota Lynx Backcourt 5-9 5/9/82 Minnesota 10

* denotes member of the starting lineup, as voted by the fans

^ denotes first-time All-Star selection

+ denotes rookie

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