Weatherspoon, Cooper pick 2026 WNBA All-Star Game teams
Hall of Famers Teresa Weatherspoon and Cynthia Cooper drafted the 2026 WNBA All-Star rosters on Wednesday, setting up Caitlin Clark’s Team Spoon against Paige Bueckers’ Team Coop in Chicago on July 25. The midseason showcase arrives as the league’s regular-season race — and the WNBA standings — heads into the All-Star break.
Key Takeaways
- Cooper’s Team Coop got top fan vote-getter Paige Bueckers via coin flip; Weatherspoon’s Team Spoon got Caitlin Clark.
- Weatherspoon’s first starter pick was four-time MVP A’ja Wilson; Cooper opened the reserves with Angel Reese.
- Becky Hammon will coach Team Coop; Cheryl Reeve will coach Team Spoon on July 25 in Chicago.
- The teams play for a $100,000 prize pool benefiting Chicago groups that help keep girls in sports.
Who picked the WNBA All-Star teams?
WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon served as honorary general managers in Wednesday’s All-Star draft. Cooper won a coin flip that awarded Team Coop Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, the leading fan vote-getter. Weatherspoon’s Team Spoon was assigned Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who finished second in voting.
According to ESPN, Weatherspoon then selected first among the remaining starters and immediately took Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson. Cooper filled out her starters around Bueckers with Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard and Gabby Williams.
What do the full All-Star rosters look like?
Team Spoon also starts Olivia Miles, Aliyah Boston and Jessica Shepard, with reserves Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Williams, Kiki Iriafen and Nneka Ogwumike. Team Coop’s bench opens with Angel Reese and continues with Marina Mabrey, Dominique Malonga, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Sonia Citron.
The Athletic noted that no WNBA club with multiple All-Stars kept every player on the same squad, unlike recent years when player-captains often reunited teammates. First-time All-Stars Miles, Shepard, Malonga and Mabrey were split evenly between the two sides.
When and where is the All-Star Game, and why does it matter?
The game is set for Saturday, July 25, at Chicago’s United Center. The WNBA Shooting Stars event and 3-point contest are scheduled for July 24 at Wintrust Arena. Aces coach Becky Hammon will lead Team Coop, while Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve guides Team Spoon.
Weatherspoon said she wanted playmakers, scorers, rebounders and defenders for a balanced roster. Cooper prioritized scorers and a fast transition style. The sides will compete for a $100,000 prize pool tied to two Chicago-based organizations focused on keeping girls in sports, with $70,000 going to the winner’s paired group.
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