Nneka Ogwumike leads WNBA All-Star Game reserve class
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike headlines the 12 WNBA All-Star Game reserves announced Tuesday by league coaches, completing the 22-player pool for the July 25 showcase in Chicago. Her 11th All-Star selection ties Diana Taurasi for the second-most in WNBA history. The reserve reveal rounds out a star-heavy roster ahead of the league's 30th anniversary All-Star weekend.
Key Takeaways
- Nneka Ogwumike leads 12 coach-selected reserves for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 in Chicago.
- Her 11th honor ties Diana Taurasi for second-most all time; Sue Bird holds the record with 13 selections.
- Atlanta placed three reserves on the list: Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray.
- Marina Mabrey and Dominique Malonga will make their All-Star debuts; Kelsey Plum may need a replacement due to injury.
- Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will draft teams instead of player captains.
Who made the WNBA All-Star Game reserve roster?
WNBA head coaches named the full reserve class on Tuesday, joining the 10 starters announced last week. According to ESPN, the reserves are Ogwumike and Sparks teammate Kelsey Plum; Atlanta's Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese; Washington's Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron; New York's Jonquel Jones; Las Vegas' Jackie Young; Minnesota's Courtney Williams; Toronto's Marina Mabrey; and Seattle's Dominique Malonga.
They join starters including Indiana's Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell; Dallas' Paige Bueckers and Jessica Sheppard; Minnesota's Olivia Miles and Natasha Howard; Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson; New York's Breanna Stewart; and Golden State's Gabby Williams. For more breaking sports headlines, visit our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Why does Nneka Ogwumike's selection stand out?
Ogwumike's latest nod carries historic weight. ESPN reported that her 11th All-Star appearance ties Diana Taurasi for the second-most in league history, trailing only Sue Bird's record 13 selections.
She is also the WNBA's fourth-leading scorer and rebounder of all time. Among the reserves, only Jonquel Jones comes close in seniority with her sixth All-Star appearance.
Which reserve picks face injury uncertainty?
Plum's fifth All-Star honor comes with a significant caveat. ESPN noted she continues recovering from a lower left leg injury and is expected to be re-evaluated later this month, making her availability for the July 25 game uncertain.
If she cannot play, the league would need to name a replacement before tipoff at Chicago's United Center on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET.
How were WNBA All-Star reserves chosen?
Unlike the weighted fan vote that picked starters, reserves were selected entirely by head coaches. USA Today reported coaches voted for three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players at any position, and could not vote for their own players.
The starter process drew scrutiny after The New York Times reported that fewer than half of the league's players submitted ballots, with the Sparks acknowledging some players never received voting emails. Starters were determined by fan voting at 50%, with players and media each at 25%.
Coach-selected reserves helped Atlanta gain representation after no Dream players made the starting lineup. Mabrey and Malonga add first-time honorees to a veteran-heavy class.
For the anniversary edition, the league will skip traditional team captains. Cooper and Weatherspoon will serve as honorary general managers and draft squads from the 22-player pool before the midseason exhibition.