2010 WNBA season


The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star Game which was broadcast live on ESPN on July 10. This year, it was a contest between Geno Auriemma's USA Basketball team and a single team of WNBA All-Stars. The Finals was a series between the Seattle Storm and the Atlanta Dream which Seattle won 3-0.

2009/2010 WNBA offseason

Sacramento Monarchs dispersal draft

On December 14, 2009, the Sacramento Monarchs dispersal draft was held. Three former Monarchs players, Kara Lawson, Hamchetou Maiga-Ba and Ticha Penicheiro were free agents and therefore not eligible for this draft. Teams selected based inversely on their 2009 season finish.
The top picks were:
  1. Nicole Powell, New York Liberty
  2. Rebekkah Brunson, Minnesota Lynx
  3. DeMya Walker, Connecticut Sun
Four of the twelve teams making selections waived their picks.

2010 WNBA Draft

The WNBA Draft lottery was held on November 5, 2009. The lottery teams were the Sacramento Monarchs, Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota Lynx, Connecticut Sun and Chicago Sky. The top pick was awarded to Minnesota. Since Sacramento folded after the lottery, all the teams following Sacramento in the draft simply moved up a pick. Minnesota subsequently traded the first overall pick to Connecticut.
The 2010 WNBA Draft was held on April 8, 2010, in Secaucus, New Jersey. Coverage of the first round was shown on ESPN2. Second and third round coverage was shown on ESPNU and NBA TV.
The top picks were:
  1. Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun
  2. Monica Wright, Minnesota Lynx
  3. Kelsey Griffin, Minnesota Lynx
  4. Epiphanny Prince, Chicago Sky
  5. Jayne Appel, San Antonio Silver Stars

    Regular season

Standings

All-Star Game

The 2010 WNBA All-Star Game was hosted by the Connecticut Sun on July 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena. Coverage of the game began at 3:30pm on ESPN. This marks the third time the Sun have hosted the annual event. Unlike in previous years, this game was a contest between Geno Auriemma's USA basketball team and a team of WNBA all-stars.

Statistic leaders

The following shows the leaders for each statistic during the 2010 regular season.
CategoryPlayerTeamStatistic
Points per gameDiana TaurasiPhoenix Mercury22.6 PPG
Rebounds per gameTina CharlesConnecticut Sun11.7 RPG
Assists per gameTicha PenicheiroLos Angeles Sparks6.9 APG
Steals per gameTamika CatchingsIndiana Fever2.26 SPG
Blocks per gameSylvia FowlesChicago Sky2.59 BPG
Field goal percentageCandice DupreePhoenix Mercury66.4%
Three point FG percentageLeilani MitchellNew York Liberty48.6%
Free throw percentageBecky HammonSan Antonio Silver Stars96.0%
Points per gameTeam StatPhoenix Mercury93.88 PPG
Least points allowedTeam StatWashington Mystics73.27 PPG
Field goal percentageTeam StatPhoenix Mercury47.3%
Least FG% allowedTeam StatSeattle Storm41.3%

Schedule

! style="background:#094480; color:white" | 2010 WNBA regular season
! style="background:#094480; color:white" | 2010 WNBA postseason

Playoffs and Finals

Season award winners

Player of the Week award

Player of the Month award

Rookie of the Month award

Postseason awards

Coaches

Eastern Conference