New York ? Sue Bird was the WNBA’s top pick, but she’s No. 2 on the scoring chart among her old college roommates.

Swin Cash of the Detroit Shock is averaging 14.4 points, eclipsing Bird, who is averaging 13.8 for the Seattle Storm heading into Monday’s All-Star game.

Former University of Connecticut women's basketball players, from left, Tamika Williams, Sue Bird, Swin Cash and Asjha Jones pose at the WNBA draft in Secaucus, N.J., in this April 19 photo.

Bird, voted a Western Conference starter, has a dinner bet when playing against her former roommates and teammates at Connecticut Cash in Detroit, Asjha Jones in Washington and Tamika Williams in Minnesota.

Bird keeps in touch daily by e-mail with her fellow first-round picks, who led the Huskies to an unbeaten national championship season last year and dominated the top six selections in the spring draft.

“We talk about wins and losses,” Bird said. “So far I’m up on Tamika.”

Bird, a 5-foot-9 guard, scored a season-high 27 points against Williams and the Lynx in a 78-68 overtime win in the only matchup so far against her friendly rivals.

Bird ranks among the WNBA’s top 10 in several categories, including second in free-throw percentage (.925), third in assists (6.2) and sixth in steals (2.12). She also averages nearly four turnovers, something Storm coach Lin Dunn attests to Bird’s drive.

“Sometimes she’s got one speed, and it’s 90 mph,” Dunn said. “She’s learning that there’s times when 60 mph is good.”

Cash, the No. 2 pick, plays for a Detroit team that has lost 16 of 18 games nearly double her college career total (9). A starting forward on coach Bill Laimbeer’s team, Cash averages 5.8 rebounds.

A reserve on the rejuvenated Mystics (14-5), Jones is averaging 6.8 points in 17 minutes. The Mystics already have tied the franchise record for wins, set two seasons ago when they made their lone playoff appearance.

Injured Chamique Holdsclaw who will miss the All-Star game at the MCI Center still leads the league in scoring (19.9) and rebounding (11.8) despite sitting out five games with a sprained left ankle. Her improved statistics, combined with new Washington coach Marianne Stanley and consultant Pat Summitt, explain why the formerly last-place Mystics lead the Eastern Conference.

A forward for the Lynx (6-11), Williams ranks eighth in the WNBA in shooting percentage (.536) and averages 10.3 points and 8.2 rebounds.

Behind Bird and center Lauren Jackson, the Storm (8-10) are two wins away from matching last season’s total. But the 10 losses are hard for Bird to stomach after an undefeated season at Connecticut.

“I don’t know how else to take it,” she said. “I can’t really change that.”

Bird is learning to adjust to pressure defense. Veterans steal the ball and knock her to the floor when she ventures into the paint. Rookies, even the consensus college player of the year, don’t always get the foul call.

“It’s physical,” she said, laughing. “I’d heard a lot about what it was going to be like. It was pretty accurate.”

Veterans around the league are impressed with Bird, who has two agents and a three-year deal with Nike for a potential clothing line.

Sheryl Swoopes, the top All-Star vote-getter, calls Bird “the real deal.”