Essence Carson Named 2011 WNBA All-Star Reserve

NEW YORK, NY - July 19, 2011 - New York Liberty's Essence Carson has been named a reserve forward on the Eastern Conference team for the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game. This will be Carson's first appearance in a WNBA All-Star game. Carson is the second Liberty player on the Eastern Conference team, joining teammate Cappie Pondexter who was voted a starting guard.

Carson was selected by the Liberty in the first round of the 2008 WNBA Draft. The former Rutgers standout is currently averaging career highs in scoring (13.5 ppg), assists (1.9 apg) and rebounds (3.2 rpg), and ranks 11th in the Eastern Conference in points per game. This season Carson has also tied career highs in assists (5) and rebounds (8) per game.

Reserves were selected by the league's 12 head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team, and selected reserves by voting for six players within their own conference, including two guards, two forwards, one center and one player regardless of position.

The 2011 WNBA All-Star game will take place on Saturday, July 23 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC, coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET.