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via Reuters

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via Reuters

“I don’t know if this is in the rules. I don’t really care,” Clark declared after announcing a coaching trade for the upcoming All-Star. Cheryl Reeve moved to team Collier to coach her Minnesota star, while Sandy Brondello will coach the Clark-led side. Both captains were going into the game with the same game plan, to get their teammates on their side.

Clark didn’t appear to have much of a strategy heading into the draft, saying, “I’m going on vibes. I’m picking whatever comes to mind. We’re just having fun. My team is going to be fun. You get to be in front of the home crowd in Indianapolis.” However, Clark had a game plan to select her teammates. The same went for Collier.  The two captains picked their teams in today’s draft, and both teams are looking balanced and formidable going into the game. Let’s have a cursory look.

Team Clark

All-Star Games
PLAYERTEAMPOSITIONHTBIRTHDATECOLLEGEYRS EXPASG
Aliyah BostonIndiana FeverFrontcourt6-512-11-2001South Carolina23
Sonia CitronWashington MysticsGuard6-110/22/03Notre DameR1
Caitlin ClarkIndiana FeverGuard6-01/22/02Iowa12
Sabrina IonescuNew York LibertyGuard5-1112-06-1997Oregon54
Kiki IriafenWashington MysticsFrontcourt6-38/26/03Southern CaliforniaR1
Kelsey MitchellIndiana FeverGuard5-811-12-1995Ohio State73
Satou SaballyPhoenix MercuryFrontcourt6-44/25/98Oregon53
Kayla ThorntonGolden State ValkyriesFrontcourt6-110/20/92Texas-El Paso91
Gabby WilliamsSeattle StormGuard5-1109-09-1996Connecticut61
A’ja WilsonLas Vegas AcesFrontcourt6-408-08-1996South Carolina77
Jackie YoungLas Vegas AcesGuard6-09/16/97Notre Dame64

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Sabrina and Clark with Wilson and Sabally as forwards? This team is something. The guard core is highly cerebral and fluid, which should enable them to excel in pace-and-space systems with multiple shooters handling the ball and distributing. Very few teams can defend this much spacing. They have their physicality covered with Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson. Their experience is something that could hold them back, as they have two rookies on the roster. Liberty coach Brondello has coached high-IQ players like Taurasi and Vandersloot, and her championship caliber could bring out the best from many on this team. She could bring out more aspects of the players’ games that even they did not know about. Let’s look at what this side is facing in Team Collier. 

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TEAM COLLIER

All-Star Games
PLAYERTEAMPOSITIONHTBIRTHDATECOLLEGEYRS EXPASG
Paige BueckersDallas WingsGuard6-010/20/01ConnecticutR1
Napheesa CollierMinnesota LynxFrontcourt6-19/23/96Connecticut65
Skylar DigginsSeattle StormGuard5-908-02-1990Notre Dame107
Allisha GrayAtlanta DreamGuard6-001-12-1995South Carolina83
Rhyne HowardAtlanta DreamGuard6-24/29/00Kentucky33
Nneka OgwumikeSeattle StormFrontcourt6-307-02-1990Stanford1310
Kelsey PlumLos Angeles SparksGuard5-88/24/94Washington74
Angel ReeseChicago SkyFrontcourt6-305-06-2002Louisiana State12
Breanna StewartNew York LibertyFrontcourt6-48/27/94Connecticut87
Alyssa ThomasPhoenix MercuryFrontcourt6-204-12-1992Maryland116
Courtney WilliamsMinnesota LynxGuard5-805-11-1994South Florida92

This team is built to get physical, boasting a dominant frontcourt with elite bigs like Angel Reese, Alyssa Thomas, and Nneka Ogwumike. Their size is a clear advantage; the average height comes in at an imposing 6 feet 3 inches, making them a formidable presence in the paint. In contrast, Clark’s squad is a bit smaller, averaging around 6 feet 1 inch, which may impact their ability to battle on the interior. 

There’s also a notable gap in experience. Clark’s team averages 5.3 years in the league, suggesting youth, energy, and emerging talent. On the other hand, Collier’s roster brings seasoned leadership, with an average of 7.6 years of professional experience. That veteran edge could prove crucial in late-game execution and on-court composure.

Team Clark (2025 Per Game Stats)
PLAYERFG%3P%FT%MPPTSTRBAST
Caitlin Clark0.390.2950.81633.318.258.9
Aliyah Boston0.5970.250.74129.916.68.33.5
Sonia Citron0.4680.380.87333.114.64.92
Sabrina Ionescu0.3980.3380.93631.218.94.45.2
Kiki Iriafen0.45900.78626.912.38.31.3
Kelsey Mitchell0.4550.3780.71831.719.31.72.9
Satou Sabally0.390.3090.82528.319.17.72.6
Kayla Thornton0.390.280.83330.214.97.11.3
Gabby Williams0.4420.3520.78133.513.44.84.7
A’ja Wilson0.4580.2270.85231.321.993.3
Jackie Young0.4380.3130.90729.917.143.8
Average30.8516.945.933.59

It’s a party for elite creators and 3-point scorers in Team Caitlin Clark. Sabrina Ionescu, Caitlin Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell on one side make for a more than credible threat from beyond the arc. Clark Ionescu and Gabby Williams are three of the best creators in the league. Ionescu is now back in form after a tough patch, and Clark will also look to come back from her 1-23 stretch before her injury. She is expected to be back for the game against the Valkyries. On the boards they have the young Aliyah Boston and Kiki Iriafen to go with Satou Sabally and Kayla Thornton. Sabally and Boston in the starting lineup not only provide flexibility but also a blend of experience and youth. 

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What’s your perspective on:

Is Team Clark's shooting prowess enough to counter Collier's physical dominance in the paint?

Have an interesting take?

TEAM COLLIER (Per Game Stats)
PLAYERFG%3P%FT%MPPTSTRBAST
Paige Bueckers0.4650.3540.87534.718.24.15.5
Napheesa Collier0.5280.3560.95433.424.383.3
Skylar Diggins0.4490.4050.79632.818.22.15.9
Allisha Gray0.4620.4160.83235.819.45.54.1
Rhyne Howard0.3440.2940.835.816.75.14.7
Nneka Ogwumike0.5370.3750.82531.117.37.82.3
Kelsey Plum0.3770.3360.9063620.13.25.6
Angel Reese0.4090.2670.79731.112.612.83.9
Breanna Stewart0.4820.1960.82332.319.86.43.7
Alyssa Thomas0.5300.68330.414.47.59.8
Courtney Williams0.4270.3890.79227.213.54.85.9
Average32.7817.686.124.97

Experience and know-how are the mantra for this side. With players like Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum, and Breanna Stewart, the team has multiple go-to scorers. The average of 17.7 points per game is impressive, especially because of the way it is shared across the roster. Same goes for creativity and playmakers like Alyssa Thomas and Skylar Diggins elevate the team’s level. The team-wide average of 4.97 assists shows this is a high-IQ, pass-friendly lineup. Angel Reese stands out as the dominant glass cleaner, supported by Collier, Ogwumike, and Stewart. The team average of 6.1 rebounds per player reflects their ability to own the boards and start transition offense. Let’s compare a side-by-side comparison of their average strength across the board. 

MPPTSTRBAST
Average (Clark)30.8516.945.933.59
Average (Collier)32.7817.686.124.97

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In conclusion, while Clark’s team may appear to be slightly behind in several statistical areas, the differences are subtle, and the outcome of an All-Star game involves much more than just numbers. Collier’s team displays a clear sense of balance, with responsibilities and production shared evenly among players. On the other hand, Clark’s side features more extremes, individual brilliance, standout performances, and moments of volatility.

Caitlin Clark is unquestionably the best creator in the game, and her connection with Aliyah Boston could prove pivotal, as the duo has already demonstrated impressive chemistry early in the season. Likewise, the familiarity between Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams could give Collier’s team a crucial edge in rhythm and coordination. In the end, statistics alone will not determine the winner. Success will come to the team that is more prepared, more cohesive, and more comfortable playing off each other’s strengths. In a game packed with talent, it will be teamwork and adaptability that make the difference.

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  Debate

Is Team Clark's shooting prowess enough to counter Collier's physical dominance in the paint?

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