‘Because of the fans’
Playing rez ball, Schimmel enjoys All-Star game
By Quentin Jodie
Navajo Times
PHOENIX, July 24, 2014
(Times photo – Donovan Quintero)
Atlanta Dream guard Shoni Schimmel did not disappoint her rabid fan base as she led the East team to a 125-124 overtime victory over the West at the 2014 WNBA All-Star game on Saturday.
Schimmel put forth an All-Star performance by scoring 29 points and dishing out eight assists at the US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix.
That performance earned her the most valuable player award as she set a new All-Star record in scoring, which surpassed the 23-point effort turned in last year by the Los Angles Sparks’ Candace Parker.
"It was awesome, just to be able to go out there and play my game, have fun," Schimmel said, "feel free to go out there and play rez ball."
Schimmel said it was her dream to play in the WNBA “but it’s another to play in an All-Star game."
“It’s very humbling and exciting at the same time," she said. "Because of the fans - they made all of this possible."
Indeed they did as Schimmel credited her legion of fans for casting their votes to include her on the 12th edition of the WNBA All-Star game.
Schimmel received 25,601 votes, which was third best overall behind Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (28,389) and Chicago Sky frontcourt star Elena Delle Donne (26,129).
With that many votes, Schimmel started for the East squad despite averaging 7.2 points per game and seeing only two starts on her Atlanta team.
“I have to give a shout out to my fans for giving me this opportunity,” she said.
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