Caitlin Clark made headlines recently when she selected her Indiana Fever teammate Aliyah Boston as the first pick in the WNBA All-Star Game draft, rejecting any proposals to trade her away. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 19 at Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where fan votes secured Clark the top selection.
During the draft, Clark also picked fellow Fever player Kelsey Mitchell, while Napheesa Collier, the other team captain, opted for Breanna Stewart as her top choice. Interestingly, Collier attempted to test Clark’s resolve by suggesting a trade of Stewart for Boston, to which Clark humorously responded, “Absolutely not.” She noted that she believed Collier was merely gauging her reaction to the proposition.
Clark built a formidable team with the addition of standout players such as Sabrina Ionescu from the New York Liberty, A’ja Wilson from the Las Vegas Aces, and Satou Sabally from the Phoenix Mercury. Meanwhile, Collier’s starting lineup includes Allisha Gray from the Atlanta Dream, Nneka Ogwumike from the Seattle Storm, and rookie Paige Bueckers from the Dallas Wings.
In a surprising twist, Clark chose not to draft rival Angel Reese, setting the stage for an upcoming competitive clash, especially after they collaborated to lead Team USA against the Olympic opponents in the previous year.
An intriguing aspect of this year’s All-Star event is the swap of head coaches, with Sandy Brondello from the New York Liberty taking over Team Clark, while Cheryl Reeve now heads Team Collier.
Additionally, Clark is expected to return to the court for the Indiana Fever in their match against the Golden State Valkyries after being sidelined for two weeks due to a groin injury, during which the Fever achieved a commendable 3-2 record. In her second WNBA season, Clark continues to impress, currently averaging 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
This summer’s All-Star Game promises to be an exciting showcase of talent, featuring phenomenal players and compelling match-ups. Fans can look forward to an electrifying experience as these athletes display their skills on the court.