Orange carpets, skills competitions, and a whole lot of injuries—the build-up to this year’s WNBA All-Star Game has been a mix of hype and heartbreak. Team Caitlin Clark vs Team Napheesa Collier isn’t going how we expected, but the celebrations are still on! The ten best players that the league has to offer, barring injuries to Clark, Sabally, and Howard, will be taking the court in a few hours. We’re in for a treat, people!

So, who’s going to be hosting all the festivities? After all, no game is complete without a splash of color from the commentators and the clarity that they bring. This time around, the WNBA has gone all-in on the media coverage, the studio coverage, and the ball-by-ball coverage of the All-Star Game. Let’s find out who’s going to cover the big game today!

Who is leading the play-by-play commentary for the WNBA All-Star Game?

The voice behind the scenes sets the tone for any game, but it can’t be just anyone. It has to be an expert—someone with experience, a deep understanding of the game, the league, and the dynamics at play. And that is exactly the point at which Ryan Ruocco comes in, leading the call for the WNBA All-Star Game. The broadcaster has been working with ESPN for 17 years now, and his resume speaks for itself.

Ruocco has been a long-standing voice for ESPN’s WNBA coverage, and is taking the charge for both the Skills Challenge and 3pt Contest on Friday, as well as the All-Star Game on Saturday. His dynamic delivery and decades of experience make the Fordham alum a perfect match for what WNBA fans need and want.

Which analysts are providing expert insights during the broadcast?

Regardless of how good a play-by-play commentator might be, the on-air coverage needs a lot more nuance than just announcing the happenings of the game. For the All-Star Game, Cathy Engelbert’s league has decided to go with a starry lineup of analysts that will surely bring some insane value to the production.

Rebecca Lobo, former WNBA All-Star and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall-of-Fame inductee, and Holly Rowe, the first female commentator in an NBA game and fellow Hall-of-Fame inductee, will be sharing the stage and a lot of insights! Considering the decades of journalistic experience, basketball knowledge, and delivery that they bring to the table, fans are definitely in for a treat!

Who is hosting the studio coverage and pre/post-game analysis?

Through controversial plays, heated conflicts, and a lot of brilliant, never-before-seen moves, fans definitely deserve a comprehensive breakdown of what happens on the court.  Thankfully, the WNBA has all of it covered, with an extremely knowledgeable and dedicated staff in the studio. The best possible example? Elle Duncan.

We’ve all seen her podcast, don’t deny it, and the journalist truly does know ball. Duncan will be hosting the WNBA Countdown Presented by Google live from Indianapolis for both Friday and Saturday. This is the first time that ESPN is producing WNBA Countdown from the site for both event days, adding a different layer to the coverage. She won’t be working alone, however, as analysts Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike will also be adding a beautifully detailed layer of coverage to the All-Star Game.

There’s no doubt that the All-Star Weekend is a hectic time, but the build-up always pays off! We can’t wait to catch all our favorite stars and superstars in action on Saturday, and to bring you the best possible coverage over at EssentiallySports. Stay tuned for more fun!