SACRAMENTO, July 10, 2007 --- The Sacramento Monarchs today announced that guard Kara Lawson will make her first All-Star appearance as selected by WNBA President Donna Orender. Lawson, a D.C. area native, returns home for the Sunday, July 15, All-Star Game at Verizon Center, and will replace injured Seattle guard Sue Bird, as a reserve for the Western Conference.

Lawson averages 11.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in her fifth year in the WNBA. She currently ranks sixth in the League in free-throw percentage (.900) and seventh in three-point field goals made (30). Lawson�s 11.3 points per game is the best in the League among players coming off the bench.

Lawson will join Monarchs teammates Yolanda Griffith, who was voted in by the fans as the starting center for the Western Conference and Rebekkah Brunson, who was named a reserve as voted by Western Conference Head Coaches. The three will be led by Monarchs Head Coach Jenny Boucek who was named Head Coach for the Western Conference after leading the Monarchs to the best winning percentage in the West through July 1. In addition, the entire Monarchs coaching staff will join Boucek in representing Sacramento and the Western Conference at the All-Star Game.

The 2007 WNBA All-Star Game will be hosted by the Washington Mystics on Sunday, July 15, at Verizon Center. The game will be televised nationally on ABC, at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

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.

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