SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 3, 2007 – The Sacramento Monarchs today announced WNBA fans worldwide voted former WNBA MVP and 2005 WNBA Finals MVP Yolanda Griffith as a starting center for the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game, to be played on Sunday, July 15, at Verizon Center in Washington D.C. Griffith, representing the Western Conference, will make her fourth appearance as a starter; she was also honored as a starter for the 2001, 2005 and 2006 All-Star Games. This game will mark Griffith’s seventh All-Star selection and the WNBA’s eighth All-Star Game.
“I’m excited to once again be representing the Monarchs and the Western Conference at the All-Star Game, along with our coaching staff,” said Monarchs center Yolanda Griffith. “A special thanks to all the fans who voted for me.”
Currently in her ninth season, Griffith is averaging 7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. She remains the WNBA’s all-time offensive rebound leader (936) and second all-time in total rebounds (2,170).
Monarchs Head Coach Jenny Boucek commented, “This speaks to the well deserved respect Yolanda has attained over the years. For me it’s a great comfort to have her on the All-Star team as she has had my back since day one. I hope that more of the Monarchs players will be joining us.”
Monarchs Head Coach Jenny Boucek was named the Head Coach for the West on the basis of the Monarchs having the best winning percentage through July 1. In addition, the entire Monarchs coaching staff will join Boucek in representing Sacramento, the Monarchs and the Western Conference at the All-Star Game.
Fans worldwide took part in the WNBA All-Star Balloting Program, voting for their favorite players to be starters in the eighth WNBA All-Star Game either online at wnba.com and/or in all 13 WNBA arenas across the country.
The Washington Mystics will host the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game on Sunday, July 15, at Verizon Center. The game will be televised nationally on ABC at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
2007 WNBA ALL-STAR STARTERS:
| WESTERN CONFERENCE | ||||
| Head Coach: Jenny Boucek (Sacramento) | ||||
| Player | Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. |
| Lauren Jackson | Seattle | F | 6-5 | 187 |
| Diana Taurasi | Phoenix | F | 6-0 | 172 |
| Sue Bird | Seattle | G | 5-9 | 150 |
| Becky Hammon | San Antonio | G | 5-6 | 136 |
| Yolanda Griffith | Sacramento | C | 6-3 | 188 |
| EASTERN CONFERENCE | ||||
| Head Coach: Bill Laimbeer (Detroit) | ||||
| Player | Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. |
| Tamika Catchings | Indiana | F | 6-1 | 167 |
| Cheryl Ford | Detroit | F | 6-3 | 198 |
| Anna DeForge | Indiana | G | 5-10 | 160 |
| Deanna Nolan | Detroit | G | 5-11 | 144 |
| Kara Braxton | Detroit | C | 6-6 | 210 |
Following the All-Star break the Monarchs will return to ARCO Arena on Tuesday, July 24, versus the Los Angeles Sparks, at 7 p.m. PDT, at ARCO Arena. Sacramento’s first game back will be on the road as they travel to San Antonio to take on the Silver Stars on Friday, July 20, at 5 p.m. PDT, to be locally televised on Comcast SportsNet. Flexible ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, please visit the Monarchs Web site at SacramentoMonarchs.com.
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