WNBA All-Star 2026: Snubs and questions after roster named
The WNBA completed its 22-player All-Star pool on July 7 when 12 reserves were announced for the July 25 game in Chicago. Nneka Ogwumike earned her 11th selection, tying Diana Taurasi for second-most in league history, while ESPN flagged Alyssa Thomas and Veronica Burton as top snubs and Candace Parker blasted player voting that ranked Caitlin Clark 11th among guards. The reserve reveal capped a week of debate over who belongs among the league's brightest stars.
Key Takeaways
- Nneka Ogwumike's 11th All-Star nod ties Diana Taurasi; Sue Bird holds the record with 13.
- Atlanta's Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray give the Dream three reserves; Marina Mabrey and Dominique Malonga will make All-Star debuts.
- ESPN analysts cited Alyssa Thomas, Brittney Sykes, Veronica Burton and Kahleah Copper among the biggest omissions.
- Injured reserve Kelsey Plum may need a replacement; Burton is a leading candidate per ESPN.
- Candace Parker called Clark's 11th-place player guard vote "crazy" on the Post Moves podcast.
Who made the 2026 WNBA All-Star reserves roster?
The league announced 12 reserves on July 7, filling out a 22-player pool for the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Chicago's United Center on July 25. Head coaches selected the bench group, which had to include at least three guards and five frontcourt players.
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike headlined the frontcourt reserves. The WNBA's fourth-leading scorer and rebounder of all time, Ogwumike earned her 11th career selection—tying Diana Taurasi for second-most behind Sue Bird's 13. ESPN noted the 36-year-old, celebrating her birthday on July 2, remains elite in her 15th WNBA season despite a difficult Sparks campaign.
Joining Ogwumike up front are New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones (sixth All-Star), Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen, Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga and Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese. The backcourt bench features Sonia Citron, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey, Kelsey Plum, Courtney Williams and Jackie Young. Mabrey and Malonga will make their All-Star debuts.
Who were the biggest All-Star snubs in 2026?
ESPN's Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel broke down the omissions after the roster was set. Kareem Copeland argued Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes deserved a spot as the league's No. 8 scorer on a career year, but a plantar fascia injury likely hurt her case.
Copeland's clearest healthy snub was Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, the league's assist leader and a six-time All-Star who also ranks among top defenders and rebounders. Alexa Philippou flagged Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton—the reigning Most Improved Player—as a standout omission and prime injury-replacement pick if Plum cannot play. Michael Voepel added that Mercury guard Kahleah Copper, averaging 20.6 points with six 25-point games, also missed out.
Why is Caitlin Clark's player voting ranking causing drama?
Starter voting results added another layer of controversy. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark earned a second straight starting nod, but Yahoo Sports reported she finished 11th among guards in the player ballot—while ranking second with fans and third with media. The weighted 50-25-25 system still secured her a starting spot.
On the Post Moves podcast with Fever teammate Aliyah Boston, Hall of Famer Candace Parker called the result "crazy" and said players ranking Clark that low had "insecurities," adding they should "go to a therapist." Yahoo noted less than half of WNBA players participated in voting. Parker also questioned Kelsey Plum finishing 12th among guards in player voting.
What happens next before the Chicago showcase?
Several matters remain before the July 25 tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as honorary general managers, drafting Team Cooper and Team Weatherspoon from the 22-player pool as part of the league's 30th-anniversary celebration. Coaches from the two teams with the best records after July 10 will lead the benches.
Injured selections including Plum, Sonia Citron and A'ja Wilson could open replacement spots. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will name substitutes if needed, with Burton prominent in ESPN's speculation. The star-packed weekend continues to drive crossover buzz across celebrity breaking news and sports coverage. For the official reserve list, see the WNBA's July 7 announcement.