Anosike & Houston Selected to 2009 All-Star Team

Lynx Center Nicky Anosike and Forward Charde Houston Selected to 2009 Western Conference All-Star Team

Lynx center Nicky Anosike and forward Charde Houston have been named to the 2009 Western Conference All-Star team as reserves, it was announced today by the WNBA. The All-Star reserves were selected by coaches in their respective conferences. Coaches could not vote for players on their own team.

The duo becomes the franchise's fourth- and fifth-ever All-Star representatives (Katie Smith, 2000-2003, 2005; Seimone Augustus, 2006-2007; Betty Lennox, 2000). Anosike (2nd/2008) and Houston (3rd/2008) also become the first later-round draft choices to enter the league since 2001 who've gone on to be chosen for an All-Star Game.

Anosike, Minnesota's second-round (16th overall) selection in the 2008 WNBA Draft, has started all 17 games for the Lynx this season, averaging 13.9 ppg and a team-high 7.4 rpg in 30.8 mpg. The six-foot-three center is averaging career-highs in nearly every major statistical category in 2009, including points, rebounds, assists (2.8 apg), steals (3.1 spg) and field-goal accuracy (.536 percent). Anosike currently leads all Western Conference centers in scoring, rebounding and assists. She is also presently the only player to rank among the WNBA's top 20 in all five major statistical categories (points, 16th; rebounds, 3rd; assists, 18th; steals, 2nd; blocks, 11th) and is also 7th in field-goal accuracy.

Houston, Minnesota's third-round selection (30th overall) in 2008 out of the University of Connecticut, is averaging a career-best 14.3 ppg (team-leading) and 6.1 rpg in 2009, up from 8.8 ppg and 3.7 rpg in 2008, her rookie season. She stands as one of only three Western Conference players currently averaging 14+ points and 6+ rebounds per game, joining Lauren Jackson and Sophia Young. Houston currently ranks among the league leaders in scoring (15th), rebounding (11th) and field-goal accuracy (12th). In addition, the six-foot forward is shooting 42.4 percent (14-for-33) from three-point range, the 6th-best percentage in the Western Conference (14th overall). Read More