Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have been selected as first-time All-Stars for the WNBA team set to compete against the U.S. Olympic team led by A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. The selection was announced Tuesday following votes from media, players, fans, and league coaches.
Clark, the top vote-getter from fans, received 700,735 votes, with Indiana’s Aliyah Boston finishing second. Reese garnered 381,518 votes, placing fifth overall. Wilson and Stewart secured third and fourth place, respectively.
Both rookies have made significant impacts on and off the court, boosting WNBA ratings, merchandise sales, and attendance. Clark ranks third in assists with 6.9 per game, while Reese leads the league in rebounds with 11.4 per game. This marks only the eighth time in history that two rookies have been selected for the All-Star team, the most recent instance being in 2014 with Shoni Schimmel and Chiney Ogwumike.
Joining Clark and Reese on the WNBA All-Star roster are DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones (Connecticut), Allisha Gray (Atlanta), Dearica Hamby (Los Angeles), Jonquel Jones (New York), Kayla McBride (Minnesota), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana), Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle), and Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas). Ogunbowale was the MVP of the 2021 All-Star game, which featured a similar format.
The U.S. Olympic team, aiming for an eighth consecutive gold medal in Paris, includes Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi of Phoenix. Taurasi, competing for a record sixth Olympic gold medal, will have the home-court advantage in the upcoming exhibition game.
Three members from Wilson’s Las Vegas team — Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young — are also on the U.S. roster. Gray previously competed in the Tokyo Olympics, while Plum and Young contributed to the inaugural 3-on-3 gold medal win.
Returning Olympians Napheesa Collier and Jewell Loyd are joined by first-time Olympians Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kahleah Copper. Thomas, Ionescu, and Copper were part of the American team that secured the World Cup victory in Australia in 2022.
Every player selected for either the U.S. team or the WNBA squad is recognized as an All-Star, with Diana Taurasi now holding the second-most appearances with 11, trailing only Sue Bird’s 13-time record.
The All-Star festivities will include a 3-point challenge and skills contest preceding the main game in Phoenix.
