Leslie, Parker headline WNBA first team

Oct 3, 2008 - 10:45 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie and forward Candace Parker highlight the WNBA's All-First Team which was named Friday.

Connecticut Sun guard Lindsay Whalen, Phoenix Mercury guard-forward Diana Taurasi and San Antonio Silver Stars forward Sophia Young also were named to the team.

Leslie accomplished the feat for the eighth time in her career. The Defensive Player of the Year, Leslie averaged 15.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and a league-high 2.9 blocks this season.

The MVP and Rookie of the Year recipient, Parker averaged 18.5 points and a league-best 9.5 rebounds.

Whalen also was named to the first team for the first time in her career, averaging 14.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists this season. She became the second player in league history to average 10 points, five rebounds and five assists in a season, joining Nikki Teasley.

Taurasi submitted the second-best scoring season in league history at 24.1 points per game, placing just behind her own league record set in 2006. Young set a career high in scoring with 17.5 points per game and led the Silver Stars to the franchise's only first-place finish.