WNBA All-Star Game Draft Highlights
Last year’s WNBA All-Star Game featured Kate Rinklerk and Angel Reese teaming up as “Team WNBA” against Team USA, just ahead of the Paris Olympics. This time around, Clark served as the team captain, playing at her home venue, Gainbridge Field House in Indianapolis, and selected Reese as her teammate during the draft on Tuesday night.
The fan-voted captains, Clark and veteran Nafisa Collier from the Minnesota Lynx, made headlines during their live draft on ESPN. Clark picked her fellow Fever player, Aliyah Boston, first—though they only showcased starters initially. Collier, in turn, opted for New York Liberty star Brenna Stewart, marking a significant connection given their past offseason collaborations.
Clark didn’t stop there; she secured star guard Sabrina Ionescu in New York and also drafted A’ja Wilson, a three-time league MVP, from the Las Vegas Aces, alongside Phoenix Mercury’s forward, Breanna Stewart.
On the other hand, Collier grabbed rookie Page Bookers of the Dallas Wings, this year’s top overall pick, and rounded out her team with Atlanta Dream guard Alisha Gray and Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike. When it came time to fill the reserve spots, Collier chose fellow Lynx player Courtney Williams, followed by Clark who selected dynamic guard Kelsey Mitchell.
Collier continued her strategy by drafting Skylar Diggins-Smith, also making a nod to Reese’s upcoming product line, named after her own trademark “Mebound.” This term reflects Reese’s relentless pursuit of the ball and, interestingly, a portion of the proceeds will go to her foundation aimed at combating cyberbullying.
As things unfolded, Clark brought in Washington Mystics rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Vandeweghe. Meanwhile, Collier secured Kelsey Plum and Rein Howard from the Atlanta Dream. Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas also joined Collier’s squad. Meanwhile, Clark rounded out her team with Jackie Young, Kayla Thornton, and Gabby Williams from the Golden State Valkyries.
Had the structure permitted it, they might have traded players, but it didn’t happen this time around. Instead, Clark and Collier announced that Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve would be coaching Clark’s team, with a potential swap of coaches discussed.
The WNBA has given the green light for the All-Star Game set for July 19 in Indianapolis, which will kick off an All-Star Festival including a skills competition and a three-point contest the day before.
