New York Liberty: Kia Nurse named 2019 WNBA All-Star Game starter
The New York Liberty are still pushing hard for a playoff spot but have a reason to rejoice with the selection of Kia Nurse to start the WNBA All-Star game.
The 2019 WNBA All-Star game is taking place this season in Las Vegas and the New York Liberty have struck the jackpot by having guard Kia Nurse selected to start the game. Nurse is only in her second WNBA season and has quickly taken a step forward to becoming one of the premier scorers in the league.
Nurse benefitted from strong showings in the voting process from the three sources, fans, media, and players. Her overall ballot average score of 4.25 was just enough to secure the final guards spot available on the starters board. All-Star starters were chosen by a combination of the fan vote which accounted for 50% while the players and media were 25% apiece.
Nurse found her stride this season taking full advantage of the extra playing time due to teammates having to finish their overseas commitments as a full-time starter for the Liberty Nurse is averaging 16.0 points per game, good for seventh in the WNBA. The former UCONN Huskies star is making her first appearance in the game and will be joined by some of the best stars in the league led by team captains Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics and A’ja Wilson of the home town host Las Vegas Aces.
...and now a word from your 2019 #WNBA All-Star starter, @KayNurse11 ! pic.twitter.com/L3hwPmztA2
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) July 11, 2019
The other players voted as starters include Liz Cambage, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Natasha Howard, Jonquel Jones, Jewell Loyd, and Kayla McBride. The WNBA coaches will vote for three guards, five forwards or centers and four players at any position. Conference equality doesn’t matter in the WNBA as it does in every other league. Nurse’s teammate Tina Charles is a perennial All-Star who could join her this Monday if the coaches see it that way.
Next. New York Liberty continue to battle shorthanded this season. dark
The 2019 WNBA All-Star will be played on Saturday, July 27 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The Liberty are hoping the good vibes and luck will continue into the second half of the season.