Angel Reese, forward for the Chicago Sky, faced a tight race for All-Star recognition, ultimately being named a reserve for the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game despite lacking sufficient votes from players and media for a starting position. Now, the anticipation builds as Reese awaits to see if she will be drafted by one of the All-Star team captains, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, or Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx.
Caitlin Clark topped fan voting across the league, earning her captaincy along with Collier, who came in as the second highest. The All-Star draft is set for Tuesday evening, where the two captains will select from the starters and reserves to form their teams. Though Reese performed well in the fan voting—ranking fifth among forwards—her support dwindled among peers and media, placing twelfth in those categories. In a positive turn, WNBA head coaches, who had the task of selecting reserves, recognized Reese’s talent and awarded her a spot for her second consecutive season.
The unique dynamic extends to the coaching as well. Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve, who is guiding Clark’s team, will not coach Collier despite being her coach during the regular season. This decision reflects the standings, with Reeve’s team holding a strong record. Meanwhile, Sandy Brondello of New York will lead Collier’s team.
An interesting subplot to the All-Star Draft emerges from the past rivalry between Clark and Reese, dating back to their college days. However, both players have made efforts to downplay that conflict over the last two years. Given their history, it would be fitting for Clark to select Reese, easing any lingering media narrative regarding their rivalry. The media’s focus on this relationship only heightens the stakes. The expectation is that Clark will likely draft her teammate, Kelsey Mitchell, first; however, many observers speculate that selecting Reese would be a savvy PR move.
The excitement leading up to the draft showcases both talent and personality within the league, setting the stage for a competitive and entertaining All-Star Game.