Temple University Athletics
STALEY NOMINATED FOR WNBA'S ALL-DECADE TEAM
4.27.06 | Women's Basketball
NEW YORK- Dawn Staley has been nominated as one of the 30 WNBA players, both past and present, competing for the 10 coveted spots on the WNBA All-Decade Team. The list of players-selected by a panel of national media, coaches, former players and WNBA personnel- includes seven of the league's original players and represents the very best in women's professional basketball.
Voting for the WNBA All-Decade Team will begin this Friday, and will be conducted among fans, select national and WNBA-market media, and current WNBA players and coaches. Fans are encouraged to vote by logging onto WNBA.com. The All-Decade Team will be announced in June and honored at the 2006 WNBA All-Star Game set to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on July 12.
The league's official Web site will feature a special section dedicated to the All-Decade Team, complete with player histories, statistics and video highlights of each nominee. The new WNBA.com History section, in which the voting will take place, may also serve as a resource for fans and media alike, providing career statistical leaders, award winners, season recaps and more. Fans will be able to vote for their All-Decade Team players once per day (daily).
A three-time Olympian who has helped the U.S. win three gold medals, Staley was selected by the Charlotte Sting as the ninth pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft. Her impact was immediate both on and off the court where she received the WNBA Sportsmanship Award and the league's Entrepreneurial Award for outstanding community service as a rookie.
In her third season, Staley became the unquestioned leader of the Sting and helped orchestrate one of the sport's biggest comebacks. After starting the season 1-10, Staley became the ultimate 'coach on the floor,' propelling Charlotte to the WNBA Finals and, in the process, was voted as a starter in her first WNBA All-Star Game.
A four-time All-Star overall, Staley enters 2006 season ranked among the leaders in several all-time WNBA categories, including third in assists (1,204), 16th in free-throw percentage (.836) and 17th in steals (303).
After seven years with the Sting, Staley was traded to the Houston Comets in August of 2005. Just as had been the case in Charlotte, Staley's impact was immediate as she helped the Comets clinch a playoff berth.
As a collegian, Staley led Virginia to three Final Fours and was the national Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992. She finished her career as UVA's record-holder for points (2,135) and assists (729) and as the NCAA career leader in steals (454).
Members of the All-Decade team will be selected on the basis of their overall contribution to the WNBA, with consideration given to on-court performance and ability, leadership, sportsmanship and community service, as well as contribution to team success and the growth of women's basketball.
