The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game is shaping up to be one of the most star-studded events in league history. With an influx of fan interest and a tenaciously competitive group of contenders, it's been a landmark season highlighted by generational talent.
With a unique format that will heighten the interest in what the WNBA has to offer, the All-Star Game has the potential to steal headlines and create new fans.
It was announced in March that the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game would pit Team USA against the other All-Stars of the league. It's an interesting format that will pit the Olympic hopefuls against a team of revered veterans, a scoring champion, and a group of remarkable up-and-comers.
The end result should be a tremendously competitive encounter in which the members of Team WNBA look to make a statement at Team USA's expense.
This might sound a bit imbalanced on the surface, but it actually yields itself to a uniquely competitive environment. Players omitted from the Women's National Team will have a chance to make their claim for future inclusion, while representatives of other countries will get an early shot at their potential Olympic competition.
The task of defeating Team USA will be monumental, however, as the roster is nothing short of elite.
Team USA
Leading Team USA will be arguably the two best players in the world: Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson. Stewart and Wilson have won four of the past six regular season MVP awards, with the latter being justifiably viewed as the favorite to do so once more in 2024.
Joining Stewart and Wilson will be some of the best players in WNBA history and a cast of up-and-coming stars looking to solidify their respective legacies.
Player | Team | Number of Selections |
|---|---|---|
Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx | 4 |
Kahleah Copper | Phoenix Mercury | 4 |
Chelsea Gray | Las Vegas Aces | 6 |
Brittney Griner | Phoenix Mercury | 10 |
Sabrina Ionescu | New York Liberty | 3 |
Jewell Loyd | Seattle Storm | 6 |
Kelsey Plum | Las Vegas Aces | 3 |
Breanna Stewart | New York Liberty | 6 |
Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury | 11 |
Alyssa Thomas | Connecticut Sun | 5 |
A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | 6 |
Jackie Young | Las Vegas Aces | 3 |
Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi will be making their 11th All-Star Game appearance. That brings them within two of the all-time record, with their former Connecticut Huskies teammate Sue Bird sitting alone at the top with an absurd 13 All-Star nods.
Close behind them is Mercury teammate Brittney Griner, who will be making their 10th All-Star Game appearance in 2024.
The Las Vegas Aces will be the most represented franchise on Team USA with Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Wilson, and Jackie Young all making the cut. That comes as no surprise considering the Aces are the two-time defending WNBA champions.
In all, every member of Team USA has now made at least three All-Star Game appearances—with Jewell Lloyd at six and Alyssa Thomas reaching five in 2024.
Team WNBA
The headlines surrounding Team WNBA pertain to rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese making their first career All-Star Game appearances. The arguable leaders of the team, however, are former league MVP Nneka Ogwumike and six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner.
With Clark and Reese adding something new to a group of high-level veterans and stars in their prime, Team WNBA will have a chance to make a powerful statement.
Player | Team | Number of Selections |
|---|---|---|
DeWanna Bonner | Connecticut Sun | 6 |
Aliyah Boston | Indiana Fever | 2 |
Caitlin Clark | Indiana Fever | 1 |
Allisha Gray | Atlanta Dream | 2 |
Dearica Hamby | Los Angeles Sparks | 3 |
Brionna Jones | Connecticut Sun | 3 |
Jonquel Jones | New York Liberty | 5 |
Kayla McBride | Minnesota Lynx | 4 |
Kelsey Mitchell | Indiana Fever | 2 |
Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | 4 |
Nneka Ogwumike | Seattle Storm | 9 |
Angel Reese | Chicago Sky | 1 |
The Indiana Fever are well-represented with Aliyah Boston, Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell all making it to the All-Star Game. The Connecticut Sun are understandably in the same boat with Bonner and Brionna Jones representing the team with the second-best record in the WNBA.
New York Liberty Jonquel Jones will be making her fifth career All-Star Game appearance, while Ogwumike is up to a legendary nine.
Furthermore, Arike Ogunbowale is adding yet another accolade to her rapidly improving résumé. The 2020 scoring champion currently leads the WNBA in steals, and will be looking to win the All-Star Game MVP award for the second time in her career.
Throw in Clark and Reese looking to step up against and alongside the best of the best, and the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game has the potential to be a classic.