SEATTLE – Forward Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun was named a starter by Eastern Conference head coach Curt Miller for Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017, replacing the injured Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics.

Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017, featuring the Eastern Conference All-Stars against the Western Conference All-Stars at KeyArena in Seattle, will be nationally televised by ABC tomorrow (3:30 p.m. ET).

A first-time All-Star selection, Thomas was voted to the East roster by the conference’s head coaches this week.  Delle Donne, one of 10 players selected by fans, WNBA players and media to start in Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017, suffered a sprained ankle on July 14.

With career-high averages in scoring (13.6 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg), assists (4.8 apg) and steals (1.6 spg), Thomas has helped Connecticut overcome a 1-5 start to post a 12-9 record, tied for third-best in the league with Washington.  She and fellow All-Star starters Jasmine Thomas and Jonquel Jones earlier this season became the first trio of teammates in WNBA history to earn Player of the Week honors in three consecutive weeks.  Jones, herself, has earned Player of the Week honors twice in 2017.

The Connecticut trio will be in the East starting  lineup alongside frontcourt player Tina Charles of the New York Liberty and guard Tiffany Hayes of the Atlanta Dream.

Individual tickets for Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017 start at just $15 and can be purchased at StormBasketball.com, or by dialing 206-217-WNBA (9622).

The 2017 WNBA regular season runs through Sept. 3. For more information on the WNBA and game tickets, fans may visit www.wnba.com.

About the WNBA

The WNBA – which features 12 teams and is the most successful women’s professional team sports league in the world – is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity.  The league, which counts Verizon as its leaguewide marquee partner, tipped off its 21^st season on May 13, 2017.

Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women’s health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education.  For more information on the WNBA, log on to www.wnba.com.