WNBA All-Star Reserves Revealed
Angel Reese Headlines WNBA All-Star Reserves as League Prepares for 30th Anniversary Draft
Key Points
Angel Reese led the WNBA in rebounds this season at 11.8 per game and became the fastest player to reach 1,000 career rebounds, achieving the milestone in 79 games.
Nneka Ogwumike’s 11th All-Star nod ties for second-most in league history, matching Diana Taurasi; Jonquel Jones has six career All-Star appearances, the second-most among this year’s reserves.
Dominique Malonga and Marina Mabrey are making their All-Star debuts, with Mabrey playing for expansion Toronto Tempo.
Marina Mabrey is averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game and has 67 three-pointers on the season, tied for the league lead.
Kelsey Plum is slated for her fifth consecutive All-Star appearance, and the league’s 30th-anniversary format will have honorary GMs Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon drafting teams from the 22-player pool.
Angel Reese earned her third straight WNBA All-Star selection, this time as a reserve for the July 25 game in Chicago, according to WBRZ. The Atlanta Dream forward leads the league in rebounds at 11.8 per game and became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career rebounds — doing it in just 79 games.
The 12 reserves were chosen by the league's 15 head coaches, WHTC reported. The All-Star game marks a special occasion: the WNBA's 30th anniversary, which comes with a new twist on how teams get picked.
Atlanta Dream Lands Three Players on Reserve Roster
The Dream placed three reserves on the All-Star squad: Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray. That is a strong showing for one team. Reese was not voted in as a starter, but coaches still picked her, Tiger Rag noted. She continues to be one of the league's most dominant rebounders.
Jonquel Jones and Courtney Williams also earned reserve spots. Jones has now made six career All-Star appearances, the second-most among this year's reserves, according to ClutchPoints.
Ogwumike Ties Taurasi With 11th All-Star Nod
Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks earned her 11th All-Star selection, ClutchPoints reported. That ties Diana Taurasi for the second-most All-Star appearances in league history. Ogwumike has been a fixture in the league's best games for over a decade.
Kelsey Plum also made the roster for her fifth straight All-Star game. However, her spot is not guaranteed. If Plum cannot play due to her leg injury, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will name a replacement, per And The Valley Shook.
Mabrey and Malonga Make First All-Star Appearances
Marina Mabrey and Dominique Malonga are both first-time All-Stars. Mabrey plays for the expansion Toronto Tempo and is having a breakout season. She is averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game and has hit 67 three-pointers — tied for the league lead — according to WHTC.
Malonga's debut adds another fresh name to the league's showcase. Both players represent a new generation of stars making their mark in the WNBA.
Cooper and Weatherspoon to Draft Teams as Honorary GMs
For the first time, the WNBA will use honorary general managers to build All-Star teams instead of traditional captains. Legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will each draft their squad from a 22-player pool, ClutchPoints reported. The format is part of the league's 30th-anniversary celebration.
Cooper and Weatherspoon are two of the most celebrated players in WNBA history. Having them lead the draft adds a historic feel to what is already a milestone All-Star game.
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