July 11, 2006
Former Iowa Hawkeye Tangela Smith (1994-98) will be making her first WNBA All-Star appearance Wednesday. Smith, a nine-year veteran, is averaging 12.6 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Charlotte Sting this season. Smith and two other players were selected as replacements for injured players.
The all-star game will be played Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. (CST) and the contest will be televised on ESPN (HD).
This is Smith’s second season with the Sting after playing seven successful seasons with the Sacramento Monarchs. Smith and the Monarchs advanced to the playoffs five times during her tenure.
She ranks among WNBA career leaders in blocks, field goals made, field goals attempted, blocks per game, rebounds, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, points and minutes. She is one of only 21 players in WNBA history to record over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Smith posted her 3,000th career point on Tuesday, May 23 against Los Angeles.
While playing for the Hawkeyes, Smith led Iowa to two Big Ten regular season titles, one conference tournament crown and three NCAA Tournament appearances. Smith was named the 1998 Big Ten Player of the Year. She currently ranks sixth in Iowa career scoring (1,598), first in blocks (235) and third in rebounding (859).