Nneka Ogwumike leads WNBA All-Star reserves for 2026 Chicago game
The WNBA named 12 All-Star reserves on July 7, 2026, with Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike headlining the coach-selected list for the July 25 game in Chicago. Her 11th selection ties Diana Taurasi for the second-most in league history and underscores her enduring stature among the WNBA's all-time greats.
League head coaches completed the 22-player pool for the 30th anniversary showcase at the United Center. Ogwumike's honor arrives as the league also faces renewed scrutiny over how All-Star starter ballots were collected.
Key Takeaways
- Nneka Ogwumike earned her 11th All-Star nod, tying Diana Taurasi for second-most appearances behind Sue Bird's 13.
- Twelve WNBA All-Star reserves join 10 previously announced starters; Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will draft the two teams.
- Sparks guard Kelsey Plum was also selected but may need a replacement while recovering from a lower left leg injury.
- Atlanta Dream placed three players on the reserve list: Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese.
- Marina Mabrey and Dominique Malonga will make their All-Star debuts; Jonquel Jones earned her sixth selection.
Who made the WNBA All-Star reserves list?
Coaches selected the reserves on Tuesday, rounding out a roster that already includes starters Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana; Paige Bueckers and Jessica Sheppard of Dallas; Olivia Miles and Natasha Howard of Minnesota; A'ja Wilson of Las Vegas; Breanna Stewart of New York; and Gabby Williams of Golden State.
Beyond Ogwumike and Plum, the reserve class features Gray (fourth appearance), Howard (fourth), and Reese (third) from Atlanta; Washington's Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron (each second); Las Vegas' Jackie Young (fifth); Minnesota's Courtney Williams (third); Toronto's Mabrey; and Seattle's Malonga.
Why does Nneka Ogwumike's selection matter?
Ogwumike remains one of the league's most accomplished frontcourt players. She ranks fourth on the WNBA's all-time scoring and rebounding lists, a milestone cited when coaches tabbed her among the 2026 reserves.
Only Sue Bird, with 13 All-Star selections, sits ahead of the tie between Ogwumike and Taurasi. Among this year's reserves, Jonquel Jones is next with her sixth career nod. For the Sparks, landing two selections in one cycle highlights the franchise's individual star power even as Plum's health clouds the roster picture.
Will Kelsey Plum play in the All-Star Game?
Plum earned her fifth All-Star selection, but her availability is uncertain. She continues to recover from a lower left leg injury and is expected to be re-evaluated later in July, according to ESPN. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 25, leaving little margin before a potential replacement is needed.
What happens next for the 2026 All-Star Game?
Unlike recent years, there will be no player captains. Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as honorary general managers and draft their respective teams from the 22-player pool. The game airs on ABC from Chicago's United Center.
The reserves announcement also lands during a broader All-Star conversation. Reporting from The Athletic noted that fewer than half of rostered players submitted starter ballots, with the Sparks acknowledging some players never received emails in time. Player votes carry 25% of starter weighting alongside 50% fan and 25% media input.
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