Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has officially been named to the 2025 WNBA All-Star roster, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career. This selection represents her second consecutive nod to the league’s midseason classic, underscoring her growing impact and consistent performance on the court. The highly anticipated 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 19, in Indianapolis, Indiana, promising a showcase of the league’s premier talent.
Reese’s inclusion places her among an elite group of players chosen as reserves for the event. She joins a distinguished list that features both established stars and rising talents from across the WNBA. The reserves roster includes Skylar Diggins of the Seattle Storm, Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury, Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever, Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks, Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx, and Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
Adding further depth to the reserves, several players received their inaugural All-Star selections this year. This exciting group of first-time honorees includes Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiki Iriafen, and Sonia Citron. Their selections highlight the increasing pool of talent within the league and recognize their standout contributions during the season.
The Selection Process and Roster Breakdown
The reserve players were chosen through a comprehensive voting process conducted by the WNBA’s 13 head coaches. In this process, coaches were tasked with selecting three guards, five frontcourt players, and four additional players regardless of position. A key rule in the voting stipulated that coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own teams, a measure designed to ensure impartiality and a league-wide perspective on player performance and impact.
This method results in a balanced representation across positions and acknowledges players who have consistently excelled throughout the first half of the season. The coaches’ selections complement the starting five from each conference, who are typically determined by a combination of fan, player, and media voting.
Starters and the Upcoming Draft
The All-Star roster is rounded out by the eight players previously named as starters. These include some of the most dominant forces in the league: Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers, Nneka Ogwumike, Allisha Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Aliyah Boston. These eight players, alongside the two designated team captains, form the pool from which the All-Star teams will be drafted.
Adding an intriguing element to the traditional format, this year’s All-Star teams will be determined by a draft process led by two prominent league figures: Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier. Clark, known for her record-breaking scoring and league-wide popularity, and Collier, a versatile forward and established star, will serve as the team captains. They will alternate selections from the pool of the eight other starters until those spots are filled. Subsequently, they will draft from the reserve pool to complete their rosters. The highly anticipated results of this draft and the full breakdown of the drafted All-Star teams are set to be revealed on Tuesday, generating significant buzz among fans and media.
Notable Absences and Team Representation
As with any All-Star selection process, there are inevitably talented players whose strong performances did not result in a roster spot, reflecting the depth of talent in the WNBA. Among the notable players not selected for the 2025 game are Brittney Sykes of the Washington Mystics, Brionna Jones of the Atlanta Dream, Natasha Cloud of the New York Liberty, and Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks. The exclusion of these impactful players underscores the competitive nature of earning an All-Star berth and the difficult choices faced by the league’s head coaches.
Looking at team representation, the selections are spread across most of the league’s franchises. However, one team stands out as having no representation on either the starter or reserve lists: the Connecticut Sun. This makes Connecticut the only team reported to be without an All-Star selection for the 2025 event.
The Significance of Reese’s Selection
Angel Reese’s selection for a second consecutive year solidifies her status as one of the league’s premier young talents. Her performance with the Chicago Sky has been a key factor in her earning this recognition from the league’s coaches. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the court, particularly through her rebounding prowess and interior scoring, has made her a valuable asset to her team. Earning a spot among the league’s best players is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to her hard work and dedication since entering the league. Her presence in Indianapolis will undoubtedly be a draw for fans eager to see her compete alongside and against the WNBA’s biggest stars.
The selection process highlights the blend of seasoned veterans like Alyssa Thomas and Jackie Young, alongside emerging stars like Reese, Bueckers, and Iriafen, showcasing the league’s current landscape and future direction. The stage is set for an exciting display of talent on July 19 in Indianapolis, with the team draft adding an extra layer of anticipation to the event. Angel Reese’s return to the All-Star stage ensures that the Chicago Sky will have a prominent representative among the league’s elite.
