NEW YORK—Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will team up on the WNBA all-star team to play against the U.S. Olympic team led by A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.
The two remarkable rookies were selected Tuesday by a combination of votes from the media, players, and fans as well as the league’s 12 coaches to play in the game in Phoenix on July 20. It’s the 20th All-Star Game in the league’s history.
The Los Angeles Sparks will be represented by Dearica Hamby, marking her third career all-star nod.
“Being selected to the all-star team is a tremendous honor, and I’m excited to head to Phoenix to compete,” Hamby said. “This points to the hard work I’ve put in during the offseason and in games so far, but it’s also thanks to my great teammates and coaches who have trusted me in a leadership role with our team.”
Hamby is tied for the WNBA lead with 11 double-doubles, ranks fourth with 10.3 rebounds per game, and is ninth with 18.4 points per game. She has been named to the U.S. 3x3 Olympic team that will compete in Paris.
Clark was the leading vote-getter from the fans, receiving 700,735, with her Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston finishing second, 72,000 votes behind. Reese was fifth with 381,518 votes. Wilson and Stewart were third and fourth. Wilson garnered 607,300 votes, and Stewart had 424,135.Clark and Reese have been a boon for the WNBA in ratings, merchandise sales, and attendance. They are also playing well on the court, with Clark third in the league in assists with 6.9, and Reese leading the WNBA in rebounds at 11.4. It’s only the eighth time that two rookies have been on the team. The last such duo was Shoni Schimmel and Chiney Ogwumike in 2014.
Also on the WNBA team are DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones of Connecticut, Allisha Gray of Atlanta, Jonquel Jones of New York, Kayla McBride of Minnesota, Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana, Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle, and Arike Ogunbowale of Dallas.
Ogunbowale was the most valuable player of the 2021 All-Star Game, which featured the same format of the U.S. team playing a league all-star team. The WNBA team won that game.
The U.S. team, which will be going for an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris later this month, also features Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. The two Phoenix players will get a chance to play in front of their home crowd in the exhibition game. Taurasi will be vying for a record sixth Olympic gold medal.
Three of Wilson’s Las Vegas teammates—Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young—are on the U.S. team. Gray was on the Tokyo Olympic squad, while Plum and Young both helped the Americans win the inaugural 3-on-3 gold medal.
Other returners from the Tokyo Games include Napheesa Collier and Jewell Loyd. Several first-time Olympians will join the team, including Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kahleah Copper. All three played on the American team that won the World Cup in Australia in 2022.
Every player chosen for either the U.S. team or the WNBA squad is considered an all-star, making this Taurasi’s 11th time in the game. She’s now alone in second behind Sue Bird for most all time. Bird was a 13-time all-star.
The league will have a 3-point challenge and skill contest the night before the All-Star Game.
