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Penicheiro And Brunson Receive All-Defensive Team Honors

September 19, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Sept. 19, 2008 - The Sacramento Monarchs today announced guard Ticha Penicheiro was named to the 2008 WNBA All-Defensive First Team and forward Rebekkah Brunson earned All-Defensive Second Team recognition. This marks the second consecutive All-Defensive honor for Brunson and the first time Penicheiro has received the honor.

During the 2008 regular season, Brunson averaged 10.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.4 assists 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per game in 30 games played while battling a right fibula stress fracture and undergoing successful knee surgery during the Olympic break in August. She finished the regular season ranked seventh in the league in rebounding and field goal percentage (.500) and also recorded five double-doubles. Brunson tallied a season-high 19 points on two occasions - both against Connecticut - while also pulling down a season-high 12 rebounds at Minnesota on June 26.

During the 2008 regular season, Penicheiro averaged 8.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists - the second-highest average in the league - 2.0 steals and 0.1 blocks per game. She became the first player in WNBA history to record 2,000 assists as she finished the season with a career tally of 2,023. Penicheiro also became the league's all-time leader in steals as she tallied 67 this season to finish with a career total of 655.

The fourth annual WNBA All-Defensive Team was voted on by a panel of the WNBA's 14 head coaches, who selected First and Second Teams by position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.

The Monarchs are currently down 0-1 in a best-of-three Western Conference Semifinal series against the San Antonio Silver Stars. Game two in San Antonio is Saturday, Sept. 20, at 6:00 p.m. PDT on NBATV. For more information, please visit SacramentoMonarchs.com.

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PENICHEIRO AND BRUNSON RECEIVE WNBA ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM HONORS

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2008 WNBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM

Player Team Position Points

Lisa Leslie Los Angeles Sparks Center 22

Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever Forward 16

Sophia Young San Antonio Silver Stars Forward 12

Ticha Penicheiro Sacramento Monarchs Guard 11

Tully Bevilaqua Indiana Fever Guard 11

2008 WNBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM

Player Team Position Points

Sylvia Fowles Chicago Sky Center 12

Deanna Nolan Detroit Shock Guard 10

Lauren Jackson Seattle Storm Forward 9

Rebekkah Brunson Sacramento Monarchs Forward 8

Katie Smith Detroit Shock Guard 8

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