The WNBA offered the first glimpse at how the fan portion of All-Star voting is stacking up today, and people have a lot of thoughts and responses. A'ja Wilson, quite possibly the greatest women's basketball player in the world right now, is leading the list so far. She's followed by Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, Breanna Stewart, and Caitlin Clark.
The rest of the top 10 includes Jessica Shepard, Angel Reese, Gabby Williams, Olivia Miles, and Kelsey Mitchell.
Fans make up 50% of the overall All-Star vote, and current players and the media account for 25% each. Fans are allowed to cast votes each day until Saturday, June 20. The four guards and six frontcourt players with the best score will be named as starters for the July game, and head coaches across the WNBA will choose 12 reserve players.
A look into the fan All-Star vote so far
While the list of players that fans have voted for has generated a lot of buzz, it's important to keep in mind that All-Star is meant to be a fun event for everyone. A lot of fans cast their ballots based on the players they like the most. One exception appears to be the Indiana Fever's fanbase, as several players from the team have all cracked the top 25, and the Fever's fans are known for their enthusiastic support of the roster no matter what.
All-Star voting comes at a time that might otherwise offer a dip in fan engagement. At this point in the season, a lot of teams are finding a groove. A lot of the teams that were expected to be winning right now are doing so, and the rest of the WNBA will spend the next few weeks adapating and hoping to dethrone a leader or two.
Voting offers fans another way to stay engaged with the league. It could be frustrating that fans are likely to vote their favorites in to the All-Star game over players who might be more impactful on the floor, but the game is ultimately meant to be fun — and it gives the league a great opportunity to showcase the best of the larger WNBA community. All-Star is more than a game: there are vendors who spend weeks (if not months) crafting wares and offerings to showcase and sell, there are days of events and activities, and fans are at the center of it all.
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