2011 WNBA All-Star Game
Encyclopedia
The 2011 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 23, 2011 (3:30pm EDT
on ABC
) at the AT&T Center
in San Antonio, Texas, home of the San Antonio Silver Stars
. The game was the 10th WNBA All-Star Game, which has been held annually since 1999
except in 2004, 2008
, and 2010. This was the first time San Antonio hosted the basketball showcase, and only the second time in league history for the game to be held by a Western Conference
franchise.
In a game that saw neither team lead by more than 5 points, the Eastern Conference won 118–113 for only their third victory in 10 tries. Swin Cash
of the Seattle Storm
, who had 21 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort, was named game MVP for the second time; only Lisa Leslie
had previously earned multiple All-Star Game MVP awards.
The game also saw a record of 10 players (11 counting the injured Candace Parker
) make their debuts on a WNBA All-Star team—however, five of these players had appeared in the Stars at the Sun game in 2010, which is not considered an All-Star Game.
Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
on ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
) at the AT&T Center
AT&T Center
AT&T Center is an indoor arena, located in San Antonio, Texas, USA. It seats 18,581, for basketball , 13,800, for ice hockey and 19,000, for concerts or religious gatherings and contains 2,018 club seats, 50 luxury suites and 32 bathrooms .It was completed in 2002, as the SBC...
in San Antonio, Texas, home of the San Antonio Silver Stars
San Antonio Silver Stars
The San Antonio Silver Stars are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; the team moved to San Antonio...
. The game was the 10th WNBA All-Star Game, which has been held annually since 1999
1999 WNBA All-Star Game
The 1999 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 14, 1999 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Even though the WNBA began in 1997, this was the inaugural All-Star Game.-Rosters:*1 Injured-Coaches:...
except in 2004, 2008
2008 WNBA season
-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
, and 2010. This was the first time San Antonio hosted the basketball showcase, and only the second time in league history for the game to be held by a Western Conference
Western Conference (WNBA)
The Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Western Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Eastern Conference...
franchise.
In a game that saw neither team lead by more than 5 points, the Eastern Conference won 118–113 for only their third victory in 10 tries. Swin Cash
Swin Cash
Swintayla Marie Cash , better known as Swin Cash, is an American WNBA player who plays for the Seattle Storm. A prolific scorer and rebounder, as well as a capable ball handler and defender, she helped lead the University of Connecticut women's basketball team to national titles in 2000 and 2002...
of the Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
, who had 21 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort, was named game MVP for the second time; only Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Deshaun Leslie-Lockwood is a former American professional women's basketball player in the WNBA. She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner...
had previously earned multiple All-Star Game MVP awards.
The game also saw a record of 10 players (11 counting the injured Candace Parker
Candace Parker
Candace Nicole Parker is an All-American basketball player for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and is also the younger sister of NBA player Anthony Parker. She was drafted to the team from Tennessee in 2008...
) make their debuts on a WNBA All-Star team—however, five of these players had appeared in the Stars at the Sun game in 2010, which is not considered an All-Star Game.
Rosters
Results
The Top 15
At halftime, the WNBA announced its list of the top 15 players in the 15 seasons of the league. The honorees were elected in balloting by fans, national media, and current players and coaches. Named to the team were:- Sue BirdSue BirdSuzanne Brigit "Sue" Bird is an American professional women's basketball player for the Seattle Storm and WBC Spartak Moscow Region....
- Tamika CatchingsTamika CatchingsTamika Devonne Catchings is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the WNBA and Turkish team Galatasaray. She is a prolific scorer close to and far from the basket, as well as a capable rebounder, ball handler, and defender. After playing at Adlai E...
- Cynthia CooperCynthia CooperCynthia Lynne Cooper is a former American basketball player who has won championships in college, the Olympics, and in the Women's National Basketball Association . She is considered by many as one of the greatest women's basketball players ever. In 2011, she was voted in by fans as one of the...
- Yolanda GriffithYolanda GriffithYolanda Evette Griffith is a former American professional basketball who played in both the ABL, and WNBA. A Former WNBA MVP she is considered one of the greatest rebounders and defensive players in the history of Women's Basketball. She last played in the WNBA as a member of the Indiana Fever...
- Becky HammonBecky HammonRebecca Lynn "Becky" Hammon is a professional basketball player currently under contract with the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA.-Early life:...
- Lauren JacksonLauren JacksonLauren Elizabeth Jackson is an Australian professional basketball player. Jackson began her professional career at the Australian Institute of Sport in the WNBL before moving on to the Canberra Capitals. She is currently a forward/centre with the Seattle Storm of the WNBA and the Australian...
- Lisa LeslieLisa LeslieLisa Deshaun Leslie-Lockwood is a former American professional women's basketball player in the WNBA. She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner...
- Ticha PenicheiroTicha PenicheiroTicha Penicheiro is a Portuguese professional basketball player who plays for Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA...
- Cappie PondexterCappie PondexterCappie Pondexter is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA, currently playing for the New York Liberty in the WNBA. She was born in Oceanside, California and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Pondexter is known for her scrappy play, quick crossovers and deadly midrange jumpshot...
- Katie SmithKatie SmithKatherine May "Katie" Smith is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA. Her primary position is shooting guard, although she sometimes plays small forward or point guard. She is the all time leading scorer in women's professional basketball, having notched over 7000 points in both...
- Dawn StaleyDawn StaleyDawn Michelle Staley is an American basketball player and coach. Staley is a three-time Olympian and was elected to carry the United States flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics. She was named the University of South Carolina women's head basketball coach on May 7, 2008...
- Sheryl SwoopesSheryl SwoopesSheryl Denise Swoopes is an American professional basketball player who, subsequent to being waived into free agency, signed to re-join the WNBA to play with the Tulsa Shock in 2011. She was the first player to be signed in the WNBA when it was created. She has won three Olympic Gold Medals and...
- Diana TaurasiDiana TaurasiDiana Lorena Taurasi is a professional basketball player who plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA and Galatasaray Medical Park from Turkey...
- Tina ThompsonTina ThompsonTina Marie Thompson is a professional basketball player in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks. The first draft pick in WNBA history, Thompson was selected first by the Houston Comets. She helped lead the Comets to four WNBA Championships...
- Teresa WeatherspoonTeresa Weatherspoon-Personal:Weatherspoon was born to Charles and Rowena Weatherspoon in Pineland, Texas. Her father, Charles Sr., played minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins' farm system, and holds the record for the most grand slams in a minor league game. Weatherspoon has two brothers and three sisters...