Langhorne named to all-star team

Washington Mystics forward Crystal Langhorne was named to the WNBA all-star team Tuesday after emerging as one of the league's most consistent post players through the first half of the season. In 17 games, Langhorne has averaged a team-high 17 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

"I'm really honored," said Langhorne, who is ranked fifth in scoring among all forwards in the league. "This is a great achievement for the organization and myself. I'm really excited to take in the opportunity."

The nod to participate in Saturday's matchup between WNBA all-stars and USA Basketball women's national team at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., caps Langhorne's transformation from struggling rookie to team leader in just three seasons.

After winning the WNBA's most improved player award in 2009, Langhorne continued to up the ante in 2010 becoming a more efficient shooter (59.2 percent) from a plethora of ranges and a more aggressive rebounder. Her reliable nature remains one of the biggest reasons why the Mystics enter the all-star break at 12-5 and in second place in the Eastern Conference.

"I'm just going out there to enjoy myself and enjoy the experience," Langhorne said. "I know it's going to be the best players in the entire WNBA. Considering the way I started out in the league and the changes that have happened, to a point I guess it is a little surreal to be going."

Joining Langhorne on the WNBA all-star squad are: Sancho Lyttle (Atlanta), Iziane Castro Marques (Atlanta), Penny Taylor (Phoenix), Katie Douglas (Indiana), Rebekkah Brunson (Minnesota), Lauren Jackson (Seattle), Becky Hammon (San Antonio), Jayne Appel (San Antonio), Michelle Snow (San Antonio) and Sophia Young (San Antonio).

For those worried about the lack of rest for Langhorne over this week, you're not the only one. Her dad, Cryhten, suggested she should take the time off but Langhorne isn't about to miss out on her all-star appearance.

"It would be nice to have time off," she said, "But I'm not going to miss this opportunity. I'm pretty excited to be a part of it all."

And as a stroll down memory lane, only four other Mystics have ever appeared in the all-star game.

Here's a look at Washington's previous all-stars (S indicates starter):

2009: Alana Beard (S)

2008: No all-star game because of the Olympics

2007: Alana Beard

2006: Alana Beard

2005: Alana Beard

2004: No all-star game because of the Olympics

2003: Chamique Holdsclaw (S)

2002: Chamique Holdsclaw (S), but was unable to play because of injury and replaced by Stacey Dales-Schuman in the starting lineup

2001: Nikki McCray (S) and Chamique Holdsclaw (S)

2000: Nikki McCray (S) and Chamique Holdsclaw (S)

1999: Nikki McCray (S) and Chamique Holdsclaw (S)