Monarchs All-Decade Team Announced

July 15, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


SACRAMENTO, CALIF., July 15, 2006 - As part of the Monarchs 10th Anniversary Celebration, Monarchs fans and members of the Sacramento media have selected the Monarchs All-Decade Team, honoring the 10 greatest women to play the game in Sacramento franchise history.

Of the 54 players on the Monarchs All-Time Roster, 10 were named to the All-Decade Team. All-Decade Team Members include: Ruthie Bolton, Edna Campbell, Yolanda Griffith, Lady Grooms, Kedra Holland-Corn, Kara Lawson, Hamchétou Maïga-Ba, Ticha Penicheiro, Tangela Smith and DeMya Walker.

"We are proud to honor these 10 amazing women who have been and continue to be an inspiration to us all," said Danette Leighton, Vice President of Marketing and Monarchs Business Operations. "These players are pioneers, roles models and among the best women's basketball players in the world. We would like to thank the Monarchs fans for their continued passionate and loyal support over these past 10 seasons, and together we look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries."

Bolton, former guard and current Manager of Fan and Team Relations for the franchise, was assigned to Sacramento by the WNBA in the initial player allocations. She went on to play eight seasons (1997-2004) with the team. While in Sacramento, she earned All-WNBA First Team honors (1997) and was selected as a WNBA All-Star twice (1999, 2001). Bolton's name can still be found throughout the Monarchs records book, including leading the three-point field goals made category (314).

The Monarchs originally acquired Campbell in 2001 in a trade with the Seattle Storm. After her first full season with the team, Campbell was diagnosed with breast cancer and sat out for most of the 2002 season. She appeared in the final game of the 2002 season and then returned to the Monarchs starting line-up in 2003 and 2004. In her four seasons (2001-2004) with the team, Campbell appeared in 89 games with the franchise and was the recipient of the WNBA's Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 2003. She continues to impact breast health awareness efforts in the Sacramento community.

2005 WNBA Finals MVP, Griffith, was selected second overall by the Monarchs in the 1999 WNBA Draft. In her first season in the WNBA she was honored as the WNBA MVP, earned All-WNBA First Team honors and played in the inaugural All-Star Game. Griffith has gone on to participate in four additional All-Star Games and has been named to the All-WNBA First Team once (2005) and the Second Team three times (2000, 2001 and 2004). She currently ranks in the top 10 in league history in six career categories, including first in offensive rebounds (869), second in rebounds (2,015), fifth in steals (430), seventh in field goal percentage (.510), seventh in blocks (285) and seventh in points (3,536). Griffith's name can also be found throughout the Monarchs records book as the all-time leader in points, rebounds, field goals made and free throws made. Griffith was recently named to the WNBA's All-Decade Team.

Current Monarchs Scout, Grooms, was originally acquired in a trade with the now defunct Utah Starzz in 1998. In her seven seasons with the Monarchs (1998-2004), she appeared in 217 games and advanced to the playoffs with the Monarchs on five occasions. During her tenure she recorded career-highs of 16 points (twice), eight rebounds (twice), six assists (twice), three steals (several times) and two blocks (twice).

Holland-Corn was selected by the Monarchs 14th overall in the 1999 WNBA Draft. She played four seasons (1999-2002) with the franchise appearing in all 128 games. She remains among the Monarchs Top 10 career leaders in minutes (3,744), points (1,309), assists (264), steals (203) and three-point field goals made (198).

Monarchs guard Lawson, currently in her fourth season (2003-present) with the Monarchs, was officially selected by the Detroit Shock as the fifth overall pick in the 2003 WNBA Draft. Sacramento acquired her from the Shock in a trade for Holland-Corn. In just three-plus seasons with the team, Lawson has played in 112 games, scored almost 1,000 career points, played over 2,000 career minutes and tied a franchise-high in single game three-pointers (6). In addition, Lawson sits among the top five Monarchs in three-point field goals made and attempted.

Current Monarchs guard Maïga-Ba was selected 12th overall by the Monarchs in the 2002 WNBA Draft. In her five seasons (2002-present) with the team, she has played in 133 games, tallied near 1,600 career minutes, grabbed more than 100 offensive rebounds, stole the ball over 100 times and scored almost 500 career points. A defensive specialist for the Monarchs, Maïga-Ba has worked her way into the starting rotation this season.

Penicheiro, Monarchs current starting point guard, was acquired in 1998 when the franchise selected her as the second overall pick in the 1998 WNBA Draft. Penicheiro, the WNBA's all-time assists leader (1,663), has led the league in assists for six different seasons. The four-time WNBA All-Star was the recipient of the WNBA Cascade Dish & Assist Award in 2003 and received All-WNBA First Team honors twice (1999 and 2000) and Second Team honors once (2001). Penicheiro is also the League's all-time assists per game leader (6.4), ranks second in total steals (517) and sixth in total minutes played (8,215). She is the Monarchs all-time leader in games played (260), minutes, assists and steals.

Smith, the Monarchs 12th overall selection in the 1998 WNBA Draft, played seven seasons (1998-2004) with Sacramento. She appeared in 223 games with the team and set a team record playing 193 consecutive games during her tenure. Smith currently ranks third all-time in the Monarchs record book for games played and is also the Monarchs all-time blocked shots leader.

Originally assigned to Minnesota in 1999, Walker eventually found a new home with the Monarchs as the team's fifth overall selection in the 2003 WNBA Dispersal Draft from the now defunct Portland Fire. In her three-plus seasons (2003-present) with the team, Walker has played in 99 games with the franchise. The 2005 WNBA All-Star led the Monarchs in scoring last season and proved to be an integral part of the 2005 WNBA Championship team.

Be a part of the Monarchs 10th Anniversary season. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, please visit the Monarchs website at www.SacramentoMonarchs.com.



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