SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Feb. 12 , 2009 – Sacramento Monarchs forward-center Laura Harper has been selected to play in the 2009 EuroLeague Women All-Star Game, as announced by FIBA Europe earlier this week, which will feature Europe against the Rest of the World and will take place in Paris, France, on March 8. Harper, who has been playing for Besiktas Cola Turka in Istanbul, Turkey, during the offseason, was named as a member of the Rest of the World.

In 23 games for Besiktas Cola Turka – including both Turkey league and FIBA games – Harper has averaged 18.0 points, 12 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.3 assists per game. She is shooting 50.2% from the floor and 66.2% from the free throw line. Additionally, she has recorded 13 double-doubles and has tallied a season-high 31 points twice.

Joining Harper on the Rest of the World are fellow WNBA players Lauren Jackson (Spartak M.R. Vidnoje; Seattle Storm), Candice Dupree (Wisla Can-Pack; Chicago Sky), Diana Taurasi (Spartak M.R. Vidnoje; Phoenix Mercury), Dominique Canty (Wisla Can-Pack; Chicago Sky), Crystal Langhorne (TEO Vilnius; Washington Mystics), Tamika Whitmore (Gambrinus; Connecticut Sun), Lindsay Whalen (ZVVZ USK Prague; Connecticut Sun) and Alana Beard (LOTOS PKO BP; Washington Mystics).

Europe’s roster includes two WNBA players, Ann Wauters and Becky Hammon, who are teammates both overseas (CSKA Moscow) and in the WNBA (San Antonio Silver Stars).

The players were selected based on a public vote, collected throughout the month of January on www.fibaeurope.com.