MERCURY: DeForge Named to WNBA All-Star Team

Posted: July 15, 2004

Anna DeForge was among those named to the starting five for the team of WNBA All-Stars that will take on the U.S. National Team on August 5 for �WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Game at Radio City.�

�It�s a very good feeling,� the guard said. �I�ve come full circle as a player and it�s nice to see all the sacrifice that I�ve put into my game personally come to fruition. I owe my teammates a lot of thanks for that. I�d also like to thank the national media for recognizing me.�

DeForge will join a roster selected by a panel of local and national media, including Los Angeles Sparks guard Nikki Teasley, Connecticut Sun forward Nykesha Sales, Detroit Shock forward Cheryl Ford and Connecticut Sun center Taj McWilliams-Franklin to represent the WNBA. �WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Game at Radio City� will serve as a final send-off as the U.S. finishes its preparations for Athens. ESPN will televise the game nationally, on Thursday, August 5 at 4 p.m. (Arizona time).

Among those DeForge and the WNBA All-Stars will be facing is Mercury teammate Diana Taurasi.

�Dee better watch out,� DeForge quipped. �I�m going to light her up.�

�Probably,� laughed Taurasi. �Hopefully, I�ll get off the bench. If I do, that�ll be fun.�

Detroit Head Coach Bill Laimbeer and his assistants will serve as the coaching staff for the WNBA All-Star Team. WNBA head coaches will select the first five All-Star reserves, who will be announced on-air during ESPN2�s coverage of the Minnesota at Connecticut game on July 22.

For the first time, fans around the world will select the final player on the WNBA All-Star roster through WNBA.com�s new, comprehensive section devoted to the �WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Game at Radio City.� The final reserve will be announced on air during coverage of the Los Angeles at Sacramento game on July 29 on ESPN2.

Tickets for all Mercury home games start as low as $8 and are all in the lower bowl. Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 602-252-WNBA or by visiting the America West Arena Ticket Office. Mercury season tickets, group tickets and flex packages are also available and can be purchased by calling (602) 379-7878 or CLICK HERE for more information.