All-Star selections announced
The starters for the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game have been revealed, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and first-time selections. Among the notable players chosen were Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. These four players lead the 10 individuals selected by fans, current WNBA players, and media to start in the upcoming game.
The event is scheduled to take place in Chicago at the United Center on Saturday, July 25, and will be broadcast on ABC. The game will be preceded by a special edition of WNBA Countdown and followed by WNBA Postgame.
Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson have each been selected to their eighth All-Star Game, marking the most selections among the 2026 starters. They will be joined in the starting frontcourt by Aliyah Boston of the Fever, Natasha Howard of the Minnesota Lynx, Jessica Shepard of the Wings, and Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries.
In the backcourt, Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark will be joined by Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx and Kelsey Mitchell, Clark’s teammate on the Fever. Miles and Shepard are among the first-time All-Star starters, alongside Mitchell and Williams.
Williams’ milestone achievement
Gabby Williams‘ selection marks a significant moment for the Golden State Valkyries, as she becomes the franchise’s first-ever All-Star starter. Williams, who is in her second season with the Valkyries, expressed her excitement about the news, which she received from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Williams’ teammates and coaching staff surprised her with a celebration after practice, a moment she described as emotional and validating. She had to keep the news quiet for a day before the official announcement, which was part of the Valkyries’ plan to share the news with the team.
Williams’ role with the Valkyries has expanded significantly since joining the team. In her previous seven seasons, split between Chicago and Seattle, she did not have as prominent a role. Her performance this season has seen her elevate her game, particularly in offense, complementing her established defensive reputation.
The Valkyries, in their second season, have shown strong development, making the playoffs in their inaugural campaign. Williams has been a key factor in their progression, contributing to the team’s chemistry and depth on both ends of the court. She leads the WNBA in steals and is averaging a career-high in scoring this season.
Upcoming All-Star details
Following the announcement of the starters, voting will now commence for the 12 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game reserves. These reserves will be chosen by the league’s head coaches, who will select three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players at either position, without voting for their own team members.
The 12 reserve players are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, July 7. If any selected player is unable to participate in the All-Star Game, a replacement will be named by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The head coaches for the All-Star Game will be determined by the two teams with the best records after games on Friday, July 10.
As part of the league’s 30th season celebration, WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as honorary general managers for the All-Star Game. They will draft their respective rosters from the pool of 22 All-Stars, with additional details regarding the roster construction to be shared in the coming days.
Both Cooper and Weatherspoon are members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Cooper is a four-time WNBA champion and two-time regular-season MVP, while Weatherspoon is a five-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
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Source: wnba.com
