Lynx, Sparks dominate All-Star reserve selections
The Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks, frontrunners in the Western Conference, dominate the reserves selected for the 2013 WNBA All-Star game. Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen and forward Rebekkah Brunson joined starters Seimone Augustus and Maya Moore, while Sparks guard Kristi Toliver and forward Nneka Ogwumike joined All-Star starter Candace Parker on the squad.
In the East, division leading Chicago added Sylvia Fowles to starting forward Elena Delle Donne and guard Epiphanny Prince. The rising Washington Mystics, a surprise this season, had two players selected by the coaches, guard Ivory Latta and forward Crystal Langhorne, while hosting Connecticut placed guard Allison Hightower and center Tina Charles.
Delle Donne, Latta, and Hightower are part of nine first-time participants in this year’s game. Indiana’s Shavonte Zellous was added as well to the Eastern Conference team. In the West first-time selections include number one draft pick Brittney Griner, Tulsa’s Glory Johnson, San Antonio guard Danielle Robinson, plus Toliver and Ogwumike.
There are eight former number one overall draft picks in the game, starting with 2004’s Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, Augustus (2006), Parker (2008), Atlanta’s Angel McCoughtry (2009), Charles (2010), Moore (2011), Ogwumike (2012) and Griner (2013).
Indiana Fever coach Lin Dunn will lead the Eastern team, which will have her own Tamika Catchings in the starting lineup, while the West will be led by Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
Every team except the Seattle Storm will be represented, a disappointment for Storm fans accustomed to having Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson in the game.
The All-Star game will be aired on ABC on Saturday at 3:30 pm ET.
| EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS | ||||||
| Head Coach: Lin Dunn (Indiana Fever) | ||||||
| Player | Team | Position | ||||
| Tamika Catchings* | Indiana Fever | Frontcourt | ||||
| Tina Charles | Connecticut Sun | Frontcourt | ||||
| Elena Delle Donne*^+ | Chicago Sky | Frontcourt | ||||
| Sylvia Fowles | Chicago Sky | Frontcourt | ||||
| Allison Hightower^ | Connecticut Sun | Guard | ||||
| Crystal Langhorne | Washington Mystics | Frontcourt | ||||
| Ivory Latta^ | Washington Mystics | Guard | ||||
| Angel McCoughtry* | Atlanta Dream | Frontcourt | ||||
| Cappie Pondexter* | New York Liberty | Guard | ||||
| Epiphanny Prince* | Chicago Sky | Guard | ||||
| Shavonte Zellous^ | Indiana Fever | Guard | ||||
| WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS | ||||||
| Head Coach: Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx) | ||||||
| Player | Team | Position | ||||
| Seimone Augustus* | Minnesota Lynx | Guard | ||||
| Rebekkah Brunson | Minnesota Lynx | Frontcourt | ||||
| Brittney Griner*^+ | Phoenix Mercury | Frontcourt | ||||
| Glory Johnson^ | Tulsa Shock | Frontcourt | ||||
| Maya Moore* | Minnesota Lynx | Frontcourt | ||||
| Nneka Ogwumike^ | Los Angeles Sparks | Frontcourt | ||||
| Candace Parker* | Los Angeles Sparks | Frontcourt | ||||
| Danielle Robinson^ | San Antonio Silver Stars | Guard | ||||
| Diana Taurasi* | Phoenix Mercury | Guard | ||||
| Kristi Toliver^ | Los Angeles Sparks | Guard | ||||
| Lindsay Whalen | Minnesota Lynx | Guard | ||||
* denotes member of the starting lineup, as voted by the fans
^ denotes first-time All-Star selection
# denotes injured and will be unable to participate in the WNBA All-Star Game
+ denotes rookie
| WNBA ALL-STAR GAME HISTORY | ||||||
| Date | Location | Winning Team | Losing Team | |||
| July 14, 1999 | Madison Square Garden (New York) | West 79 | East 61 | |||
| July 17, 2000 | America West Arena (Phoenix) | West 73 | East 61 | |||
| July 16, 2001 | TD Waterhouse Centre (Orlando) | West 80 | East 72 | |||
| July 15, 2002 | MCI Center (Washington) | West 81 | East 76 | |||
| July 12, 2003 | Madison Square Garden (New York) | West 84 | East 75 | |||
| July 9, 2005 | Mohegan Sun Arena (Connecticut) | West 122 | East 99 | |||
| July 12, 2006 | Madison Square Garden (New York) | East 98 | West 82 | |||
| July 15, 2007 | Verizon Center (Washington) | East 103 | West 99 | |||
| July 25, 2009 | Mohegan Sun Arena (Connecticut) | West 133 | East 118 | |||
| July 27, 2011 | AT&T Center (San Antonio) | East 118 | West 113 | |||
* No All-Star game was held in 2004, 2008, and 2012 due to the Olympic Games in Athens, Beijing, and London, respectively.
Similarly, no All-Star game was played in 2010, due to the FIBA World Championships in Czech Republic.
An exhibition game was conducted at Radio City Music Hall in the summer of 2004, and in 2010, an exhibition game was held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. with a USA vs. WNBA format in the “WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun.”
The 2011 All-Star Game featured a record 10 first-time All-Stars and was marked by a halftime ceremony honoring the top 15 players in the WNBA’s 15-year history. Seattle’s Cash led the West with 21 points and 12 rebounds and was named MVP for the second time. She joined Lisa
