Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson was selected first overall in the WNBA All-Star draft for the exhibition game scheduled for July 25 in Chicago, as reported by [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/draft-all-star-9eff46caeed6701486d904a313e4aa02).
WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon served as honorary general managers, drafting All-Star teams from the pool of players voted as starters by fans, media and players, or chosen as reserves by league coaches.
This year marked a change from the traditional format where the top two fan vote-getters served as captains. Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who would have been captains under the old system, were instead assigned to separate teams. Bueckers headlines Cooper's squad while Clark leads Weatherspoon's team.
Joining Bueckers in Cooper's starting lineup are New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, Minnesota Lynx forward Natasha Howard and Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams. Weatherspoon countered with Wilson, Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles, Indiana center Aliyah Boston and Dallas forward Jessica Shepard.
Cooper used the first pick of the reserves to select Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, who will face her Dream teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray — both chosen by Weatherspoon. Other reserves on Cooper's team include Toronto guard Marina Mabrey, Seattle center Dominique Malonga, Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas guard Jackie Young and Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron. Weatherspoon completed her roster with New York forward Jonquel Jones, Minnesota guard Courtney Williams, Washington forward Kiki Iriafen and Los Angeles forward Nneka Ogwumike, an 11-time All-Star who was the final pick.
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon will lead Cooper's team, while Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve will coach Weatherspoon's squad. Portland, Chicago, Connecticut and Phoenix are the only WNBA teams without an All-Star representative.
Sources
