Delle Donne Leads WNBA All-Stars
19 Jul, 2013
Elena Delle Donne is already leaving her mark in the WNBA.
The Chicago Sky star became the first rookie to lead the league’s All-Star voting when the starters were announced Thursday night.
Delle Donne received 35,646 votes, nearly 2,000 more than Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker.
“I’m speechless about it, it’s incredible to come in as a rookie and know I have that many fans is so humbling and awesome,” said Delle Donne after her team beat the New York Liberty 75-55 in a matinee game Thursday. “I’ll try to continue to do them proud.”
The Chicago Sky first-year player, who was the No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft this past April, will be joined on the Eastern Conference squad by teammate Epiphanny Prince.
“I think I’m most happy that I get to start with Piph,” said Delle Donne, who is averaging 19 points a game this season. “That gives me some comfort that Piph’s out there with me.”
The other Eastern Conference starters are New York’s Cappie Pondexter, Atlanta’s Angel McCoughtry and Indiana’s Tamika Catchings, who will be playing in her eighth All-Star game.
The starting lineup for the West by Phoenix teammates Diana Taurasi and rookie Brittney Griner. Minnesota’s Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus round out the Western Conference starting five.
With Griner and Delle Donne both starting, it marks the first time in league history that two rookies from the same class will be on the court for the opening tip of the All-Star game. Sue Bird and Catchings started in 2002. Catchings missed her entire 2001 rookie season because of a knee injury.
The All-Star reserves will be announced on Tuesday. The game will take place in Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun on Saturday, July 27. It’s the third time the game will be played there.
AP
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