NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will staff up on the WNBA All-Star staff to play in opposition to the U.S. Olympic staff led by A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.
The pair of outstanding rookies have been chosen Tuesday by a mixture of votes from the media, gamers and followers in addition to the league’s 12 coaches to play within the recreation in Phoenix on July 20. It’s the twentieth All-Star Sport within the league’s historical past.
“I don’t suppose I’ve ever been her teammate earlier than, even at USA Basketball. I do know individuals will probably be actually enthusiastic about it, however I hope it doesn’t take away from everybody else,” Clark stated. “This can be a large accomplishment for everyone on Workforce USA and everybody on Workforce WNBA. All of them deserve the identical reward. I don’t need it to remove from any of that and be the point of interest of All-Star weekend as a result of that’s not honest to them.”
Clark was the main vote-getter from the followers, receiving 700,735 along with her Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston ending second 72,000 votes behind. Reese was fifth with 381,518 votes. Wilson and Stewart have been third and fourth. Wilson garnered 607,300 votes and Stewart had 424,135.
Clark and Reese have been a boon for the WNBA in scores, merchandise gross sales and attendance. They’re additionally enjoying effectively on the courtroom with Clark third in assists with 6.9 and Reese main the WNBA in rebounds at 11.4.
“They only advised me I’m an All-Star. I’m simply so joyful,” an emotional Reese stated after her Sky beat the Atlanta Dream. “I do know the work I’ve put in. Coming into this league so many individuals doubted me and didn’t suppose my recreation would translate and I wouldn’t be the participant I used to be in faculty, or higher, or could be worse, or wouldn’t be the place I’m proper now. However I belief the method and I’m grateful I dropped to No. 7 (decide within the draft) and was capable of come to Chicago.”
It’s the eighth time that two rookies have been on the staff. The final was Shoni Schimmel and Chiney Ogwumike in 2014.
Becoming a member of the rookies on the WNBA staff have been DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones of Connecticut, Allisha Grey of Atlanta, Dearica Hamby of Los Angeles, Jonquel Jones of New York, Kayla McBride of Minnesota, Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana, Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle and Arike Ogunbowale of Dallas.
Ogunbowale was the MVP of the 2021 All-Star recreation which featured the identical format of the U.S. staff enjoying a league All-Star staff. The WNBA staff received that recreation.
“She’s had an unbelievable season up to now,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve stated of McBride. “She’s doing every little thing for us, so deserving of this All-Star nod.”
The U.S. staff, which will probably be going for an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris later this month, additionally options Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. The pair of Phoenix gamers will get an opportunity to play in entrance of their house crowd within the exhibition recreation. Taurasi will probably be vying for a report sixth Olympic gold medal.
Three of Wilson’s Las Vegas teammates — Chelsea Grey, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Younger — are on the U.S. staff. Grey was on the Tokyo Olympic squad whereas Plum and Younger each helped the People win the inaugural 3-on-3 gold medal.
Different returners from the Tokyo Video games embody Napheesa Collier and Jewell Loyd. A number of first-time Olympians will be a part of the staff with Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kahleah Copper. All three performed on the American staff that received the World Cup in Australia in 2022.
Each participant chosen for both the U.S. staff or the WNBA squad is taken into account an All-Star making this Taurasi’s eleventh time within the recreation. She’s now alone in second behind Sue Chook for many all time. Chook was a 13-time All-Star.
The league may have a 3-point problem and talent contest the night time earlier than the All-Star recreation.
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball