WNBA

• Beard, Pondexter honored as WNBA Players of the Week

  
  

  New York, NY (Sports Network) - Alana Beard of the Washington Mystics and Cappie Pondexter of the Phoenix Mercury have been named the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for the period ending Sunday, July 12.

  Beard earned her second weekly award of the season after averaging 20.0 points on 40.5 percent (15-37) shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists. Her 20.0 points per game led the league among players who appeared in multiple games and her steals average tied her for fourth in the Eastern Conference. She led the Mystics to a 1-1 record for the week including a win over the Los Angeles Sparks on July 11. It was her fifth career Player of the Week award.

  Pondexter won her second weekly award in as many weeks as she averaged 19.5 points on 40.7 percent (11-27) shooting and 7.0 assists. Among players who played in more than one game, she ranked second in the WNBA in scoring and first in assists. She helped the Mercury retain first place in the Western Conference with wins over Chicago and Sacramento. It was the fourth Player of the Week award of her career.

  Other candidates for WNBA Players of the Week were Atlanta's Iziane Castro Marques, Indiana's Katie Douglas, New York's Essence Carson, Minnesota's Nicky Anosike, Sacramento's Courtney Paris, San Antonio's Becky Hammon and Seattle's Swin Cash.

  07/13 19:26:32 ET