The WNBA All Star Reserve list is out, and there are a few key veteran omissions that have left fans of the league surprised. Most notably, Natasha Cloud, Brittany Sykes, Brionna Jones, and Alanna Smith aren't included, and the Connecticut Sun doesn't have a single member of their team on the roster.
The full list of reserves includes: Skylar Diggings, Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Mitchell, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Kayla Thornton, Courtney Williams, Gabby Williams, and Jackie Young. The group will join the starters Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, Allisha Gray, Napheesa Collier, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Aliyah Boston, Nneka Ogwumike, and Satou Sabally.
This year's All Star Game will differ from the one fans watched in 2024 — last year was an Olympics year, and a lot of All Star regulars were on the team that battled the world in Paris. That might explain some of the surprises in this year's selections, though it doesn't entirely account for everything.
Rookies are having an incredible season
This year's All Star Game will see the inclusion of three rookies for the first time since 2011. The list also includes five first-time All Stars (in addition to Bueckers, Iriafen, and Citron, this is the first time Thornton and Williams have made been on the list).
Thornton's inclusion should come as no surprise, as the Valkyries leader is currently experiencing a banner year that has her averaging 14.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. She's a major part of the reason why the newcomer team is thriving this season, and she's a key contributor to Golden State's 9-8 record.
One team will be unrepresented this All Star Game
Nearly every team in the league has at least one player named to the All Star roster — except for the Connecticut Sun. The team currently has the worst record in the league (2-15) and there is little expectation that the Sun will be able to bounce back.
The Storm and Fever lead the pack with three All Stars each, and the Lynx, Liberty, Dream, and Mercury — the top teams in the league to date — each have two All Stars, a feat also shared by the Mystics and the Aces. The Sparks, Sky, Valkyries, and Wings all boast one All Star each.
The teams will be captained by Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier, and coached by Cheryl Reeve and Sandy Brondello.