The WNBA doesn't begin its season until May. But several of its star players will be in Las Vegas to try to pick up some extra money.
The NBA's Shooting Stars competition, which features a current NBA and WNBA player along with an NBA legend, will be part of the Feb. 17 All-Star Saturday festivities at the Thomas & Mack Center. Team San Antonio, the defending champion, will compete against teams from Los Angeles, Detroit and Chicago in the 5 p.m. event, to be televised live on TNT (Cable 18).
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A total of $112,500 in prize money is at stake, with the winning team receiving $45,000.
San Antonio will be represented by Spurs guard Tony Parker, Silver Stars forward Kendra Wecker and Hall of Famer George Gervin. Team San Antonio made six shots in numeric order from various spots on the court in 25.1 seconds to win last year's event in Houston.
Team Detroit will be represented by Bill Laimbeer, the former Piston and current coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock, Pistons guard Chauncey Billups and Shock forward Swin Cash.
Former Laker Michael Cooper, who has coached in the WNBA and now is the coach of the NBA Development League's Albuquerque Thunderbirds, will represent Team Los Angeles, along with Lakers forward Lamar Odom and Sparks guard Temeka Johnson.
Team Chicago comprises Bulls guard Ben Gordon, former Bull Scottie Pippen and Sky forward Candice Dupree.
In the Shooting Stars, each team must select a specific player rotation, with all six shots being made before the next player shoots. Teams have two minutes to complete the course, and the team with the fastest time wins.
This will be the event's fourth year. Team Los Angeles won in 2004 and Team Phoenix in 2005.
