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ESPN2 to televise WNBA All-Star Draft for first time in league history

By Nicholas Niendorf

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 5: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics plays defense against the Las Vegas Aces on July 5, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 5: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics plays defense against the Las Vegas Aces on July 5, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The selection special airs during the lead up to the 2019 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, which takes place on Saturday, July 27

All-Star captains Elena Delle Donne and A’ja Wilson will make their draft selections on ESPN2 on Tuesday, July 23 at 9:30 p.m. ET. The 2019 All-Star Game marks Delle Donne’s sixth All-Star appearance and Wilson’s second. The duo captured the most fan votes of any player in the league, netting them their status as captains.

The draft is the first time in the All-Star game’s 16 years of existence that the selection process will be aired live on television to the public.

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ESPN analyst and reporter Maria Taylor will host the 30 minute draft show while former WNBA stars Rebecca Lobo and Cynthia Cooper-Dyke will make guest appearances. Newly-appointed WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will also be present for an interview during the event.

The WNBA All-Star Team Selection Special will feature a pool of 20 players, eight starters and 12 reserves, as voted into the 2019 All-Star Game by coaches, fans, members of the media and players. Delle Donne and Wilson will select from the group of starters first, and then move on to the dozen reserves.

Five players received their first All-Star selection this summer, with Chicago’s Diamond DeShields and New York’s Kia Nurse both in just their second seasons. Tina Charles of the Liberty and Indiana‘s Candice Dupree will both make their seventh All-Star game appearances, the most out of any player on this season’s All-Star roster.

The teams will be coached by Washington’s Mike Thibault and Las Vegas’s Bill Laimbeer, both coaches’ third time coaching the game.

Following the All-Star Draft, the Seattle Storm and the Las Vegas Aces will square off at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.

Additional details about the WNBA All-Star Draft will be announced by the league at a later date.

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