Atlanta Dream guard Layshia Clarendon and center Elizabeth Williams were selected by WNBA head coaches as reserves for the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, the league announced on Tuesday evening.
In their first All-Star appearances, Clarendon and Williams join Dream guard Tiffany Hayes on the Eastern Conference team on July 22. Hayes was named an Eastern Conference starter on July 11.
Headlining reserve selections were regular-season MVP and Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, reigning Rookie of the Year and Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner.
The 2017 WNBA All-Star Game will tipoff at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday from Seattle’s KeyArena and will be broadcast on ABC.
Only once before were the Dream represented by three players at the All-Star Game when Angel McCoughtry, Shoni Schimmel and Erika de Souza started in 2014.
Clarendon averages a career-high of 11.8 points and 6.9 assists per game in her fifth season in the league and second with the Dream.
"I'm elated and humbled to be named an All-Star,” Clarendon said in a statement. “To be included on this list is an incredible honor and I'm thrilled to share it with two of my teammates. Thank you to the league, coaches, media and fans who voted."
The season after winning the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award, Williams averages 10.2 points, eight rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Williams’ defensive presence is just as noticeable as her offense, recording 26 blocks in the last six games.
"I'm so, so excited to be part of the All-Star team this year,” Williams said in a statement. “It's even more exciting that I get to share this time with two of my teammates, Tip (Tiffany Hayes) and Lay (Layshia Clarendon). Seattle is an awesome basketball city so I'm looking forward to a great weekend."
The Atlanta Dream continue their season against the Washington Mystics on Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
