Washington Mystics shooting guard Alana Beard can add one more accolade to her young but sterling career: All-Star starter.
Eastern Conference and Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault made the decision Tuesday afternoon to start Beard for tonight’s All-Star Game in place of injured New York Liberty guard Becky Hammon. Thibault said he opted for Beard because of the high number of fan and coach votes she received.
“She’s a terrific player,” Thibault said. “Her confidence is at a high level, her shooting is improved and she’s been consistent night in and night out and the fact that she can play several positions really enhances her game as well.”
Indiana forward Tamika Catchings agreed with Thibault and credits Beard’s offseason play in South Korea and Australia as reason for her improvements on the court.
“I really think that playing overseas has given her a boost in confidence,” Catchings said. “She’s shooting a lot better than she has in the past and I think that has a lot to do with what she does in the offseason and being successful overseas.”
Thibault believes the Mystics, who entered the All-Star break at 10-10 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, have put themselves in good position to not only make the playoffs but enjoy postseason success as well.
“I think they’ll be a real dangerous team,” Thibault said. “Number one, Alana will get healthy, DeLisha [Milton-Jones] should be back by then. They’ll be a terrific playoff team and playing against them isn’t anything you look forward to.”
Detroit guard Katie Douglas knows first hand how tough an opponent the Mystics can be.
“They put a hurting on us in Washington recently so we highly respect them,” Douglas said. “They’ve got a lot of weapons and theyplay really well together and they look like a team that will be there in the end. We definitely look forward to seeing them in the playoffs.”
WNBA All-Star Game
» Where: Madison Square Garden, New York City
» When: Tonight at 7:30
» TV: ESPN
