University of Memphis Athletics
Tamika Whitmore Named WNBA All-Star
Jul 10, 2006 | Women's Basketball
July 10, 2006
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Former Lady Tiger basketball player Tamika Whitmore was named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star Reserve Roster, Saturday. The 2006 WNBA All-Star game will be played Wednesday in Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Whitmore is having a career year in Indiana, averaging a career-best 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.42 steals per game. She currently ranks ninth in the league in points per game heading into the all-star break.
Still the second-leading scorer in Memphis history, Whitmore is in her eighth season in the WNBA and is earning her first all-star bid after signing with Indiana as a free agent in the off-season.
The lone representative from Conference USA on either 2006 All-Star roster, Whitmore completed her eligibility with Memphis following the 1998-99 season and powered the Lady Tigers to two C-USA Championships (1996, 1998). She was a two-time C-USA Player of the Year and with Whitmore on the roster, Memphis played in three NCAA Tournaments and one WNIT. Her 2,488 career points ranks second in school history behind Betty Booker, and her 45 career double-doubles ranks second behind Regina Street's 65. A three-time All-Conference USA honoree, Whitmore was an Associated Press Second Team All-American (1999) and Honorable Mention (1998) honoree. A C-USA All-Freshman honoree in 1996, Whitmore was drafted by the New York Liberty in the third round in 1999 and played five years there before spending two seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks.
During the last WNBA off-season, Whitmore played in the French women's league (LFB) and was named the league MVP after averaging 22.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game and helping Mourenx to the playoffs in its debut season.
Whitmore has appeared in 32 career WNBA playoff games, which currently ranks her ninth in WNBA history. The Indiana Fever is 13-7 overall and 9-3 in the Eastern Conference. The All-Star game airs Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) on ESPN.
Following the All-Star break, Whitmore will rejoin her Fever teammates and will travel to Charlotte, N.C., where the Fever will face the host Sting at 6 p.m. (ET) on Saturday. There, Whitmore will face former Lady Tiger assistant coach Helen Darling.
