Michael Cooper to coach East Squad in All-Star Game
Atlanta Dream first-year head coach Michael Cooper will serve as head coach of the East squad for Boost Mobile WNBA All-Star 2014, the WNBA announced today. The game will be played on July 19 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz., beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Under WNBA guidelines, the coach of the previous season’s conference champion serves as the All-Star coach for that conference, provided that the coach remains in the same position. With that, Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve, who guided the Lynx to the 2013 WNBA title, earned her spot on the West bench.
Since Fred Williams, head coach of the 2013 Eastern Conference champion Atlanta Dream, is now at the helm in Tulsa, the East head coach was selected based on the club with the best winning percentage through games on June 29. With a current mark of 11-4 (.733), Atlanta’s Cooper has secured the honor.
It will be the third such honor of Cooper’s career, having previously led the West team in 2002 and 2003 after leading the Los Angeles Sparks to WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002.
Sancho Lyttle named Player of the Week
Atlanta Dream forward Sancho Lyttle has been named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Lyttle becomes the third different Dream player to earn Player of the Week accolades this season.
Lyttle led the Dream to a pair of road victories last week, averaging 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while committing no turnovers in 68 minutes of action. The two road victories helped Atlanta open a 3.5-game lead in the Eastern Conference with an 11-4 record.
Lyttle opened the week by recording her sixth double-double of the season, collecting 16 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals during an 81-79 victory at San Antonio last Wednesday. She followed that with 16 points, seven boards, four assists and a steal as the Dream rallied late for a 76-68 victory at Indiana on Sunday.
Lyttle is currently tied for second in the WNBA with six double-doubles, and ranks second in steals (2.6) and tied for fourth in rebounds (9.0). It marks the third Player of the Week award for Lyttle during her career.
The Sports Inquirer 
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