Leslie Joins the All-Decade Team

Sparks center Lisa Leslie, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder, was one of 10 players selected to the league’s All-Decade Team on Tuesday.

Joining Leslie on the squad were Sue Bird (Seattle), Tamika Catchings (Indiana), Cynthia Cooper (retired from Houston), Yolanda Griffith (Sacramento), Lauren Jackson (Seattle), Katie Smith (Detroit and Minnesota), Dawn Staley (Houston and Charlotte), Sheryl Swoopes (Houston) and Tina Thompson (Houston).

“I think that team could win gold,” Leslie said. “It’s an honor because the fans voted for us, so they’re recognizing our hard work over 10 years. That’s a long time to be on top of your game. And nearly all of us are still in the league ... all in all it’s an awesome team.”

The team, which will be formally honored at the WNBA All-Star game in New York on July 12, was selected from among 30 nominees by fans, a panel of national and WNBA-market media, and current players and coaches.

Chamique Holdsclaw of the Sparks was among five players receiving honorable mention. Others receiving that recognition were Ruthie Bolton (retired from Sacramento), Ticha Penicheiro (Sacramento), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix) and Teresa Weatherspoon (retired from Los Angeles and New York).

“It’s a great honor, but I’m more interested in winning games,” Holdsclaw said. “But to even be considered ... 10 years there have been a lot of great basketball players.”

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Ten-year team

The WNBA’s decade all-stars:

*--* Player Pos. Years Sue Bird G 2002-present Tamika Catchings F 2002-present Cynthia Cooper G 1997-2000, ’03 Yolanda Griffith C 1999-present Lauren Jackson F 2001-present Lisa Leslie C 1997-present Katie Smith G 1999-present Dawn Staley G 1999-present Sheryl Swoopes F 1997-present Tina Thompson F 1997-present

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