Sky's Perkins joins reserves for WNBA All-Star Game

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Chicago Sky guard Jia Perkins has been selected as a reserve for the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game.

Originally a third-round pick in the 2004 draft, Perkins joins starting teammates Candice Dupree and Sylvia Fowles in Connecticut for her first All-Star Game appearance. In 2009, she is averaging 2.4 steals per game, which ranks fourth in the WNBA, along with 15.5 points per game.

Eastern and Western Conference head coaches selected the players from their respective conferences to round out the rosters. The All-Star Game, the ninth in league history, will be held on Saturday at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., and will be televised nationally (2:30 ABC)

Eastern Conference Reserves:

• Katie Smith (Detroit Shock)

• Jia Perkins (Chicago Sky)

• Sancho Lyttle (Atlanta Dream)

• Shameka Christon (New York Liberty)

• Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun)

• Erika de Souza (Atlanta Dream)

Western Conference Reserves:

• Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury)

• Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury)

• Nicky Anosike (Minnesota Lynx)

• Tina Thompson (Los Angeles Sparks)

• Charde Houston (Minnesota Lynx)

• Sophia Young (San Antonio Silver Stars)

As previously announced, San Antonio head coach Dan Hughes will coach the West by virtue of winning the 2008 Western Conference title. The East will be led by Indiana head coach Lin Dunn, who was named the coach after the Fever clinched the best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference for games through July 15. Bill Laimbeer, head coach of the 2008 Eastern Conference champion Detroit Shock, stepped down from his post in early June.