Stewart, Bird Named WNBA All-Star Game Starters and Co-Captains
June 22, 2022 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Seattle Storm News Release
NEW YORK - Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird and forward Breanna Stewart have been named as starters for the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago's Wintrust Arena on Sunday, July 10. The pair has also been named part of four co-captains in the game.
Bird, who announced that the 2022 season will be her final one in the WNBA, adds to her record by being selected to her 13th all-star game. For Stewart, the 2022 all-star selection is her fourth in four seasons the all-star game has been held when she was eligible to compete (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 - Injured in 2019, no all-star game in 2020).
Stewart was named one of four co-captains by virtue of being one of two of the top vote getters, along with Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson. Bird was selected to be a co-captain along with Minnesota's Sylvia Fowles, who have both announced their retirement upon conclusion of the 2022 season after legendary careers spanning almost two decades. Bird will be paired with Wilson; Fowles will be paired with Stewart.
In 2022, Bird ranks third in the assists at 6.2 per game, adding 8.6 points, 1.3 steals and 1.9 rebounds per game in 12 games this season. Bird is the WNBA's all-time assist leader, recording her 3,000th career assist on July 9, 2021 at Phoenix, and has 3,122 career assists-522 more than any other player. She is the only player to play in at least 500 games, starting in each of her 561 career games played. In addition, Bird ranks second in career three-pointers made (972), fourth in steals (702), and seventh in points (6,664).
Stewart, who last season was selected to "The W25" as one of the 25 greatest and most influential players in league history, leads the WNBA in scoring (21.8 ppg), steals (2.1/gm), fouls drawn (6.0/gm), FG made (7.6/gm), FT made (4.8/gm), FT attempted (5.5/gm), efficiency (24.2), and defensive win shares (.228). Her season is shaping up as one of the best all-around in WNBA history. In fact, if the season were to end today, Stewart's averages of 21.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.1 spg, 2.9 apg, and 0.9 bpg would make her just the second player in WNBA history to post at least 20.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg, and 0.9 bpg in a season (Sheryl Swoopes, 2000).
The all-star game reserves, which will be selected by the ASG coaches, will be announced on Tuesday, June 28. The team captains will draft their respective rosters by selecting first from the remaining eight players in the pool of starters and then from the pool of 12 reserves. ESPN will broadcast the WNBA All-Star Team Selection Special on Saturday, July 2 (3 p.m. ET).
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