For the first time in WNBA history, the All-Star Weekend is coming to Indianapolis. The city will welcome its queen, Caitlin Clark, who will lead one of the sides on the day. She received the most fan votes with 1,293,526 people voting for the star guard. Leading the opponent will be Napheesa Collier, who received about 100,000 fewer votes.  Along with the captains, the starters are also set, who include star rookie Paige Bueckers. 

With the starters now set, thanks to a combination of fan votes at 50 percent, and player and media votes at 25 percent each, the spotlight shifts to the next phase of the All-Star process, selecting the reserves. This time, the decision lies in the hands of WNBA head coaches. Each coach will submit a ballot featuring three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players of any position. 

However, they are not allowed to vote for players from their own team. On Sunday, the 12 reserves who will complete the 22-player All-Star pool will be revealed. Then, on July 8, Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will draft their teams live as All-Star captains. All-Star Weekend will take over Indianapolis on July 18 and 19. But before the final rosters are locked in, let’s dive into some predictions on who will make the cut.

Guards:

Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm

Diggins probably should have made it as a starter. She is one of the reasons why the Seattle Storm is as good as they are this season. Diggins is scoring 18.9 points and 6.1 assists per game, which are good for seventh and fourth in the league, respectively. Diggins’ 41.8% 3-point shooting has been crucial for a Storm team that takes relatively few triples with just 21.8 per game but makes them at a decent clip with a success rate of 35.9%. She has further improved in recent times, as over her last 10 games, she’s put up 19.7 points and 5.7 assists per game. Diggins-Smith’s all-around contributions make her one of the obvious reserve choices. 

Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

Kelsey Mitchell has risen to the occasion for the Indiana Fever, especially in the absence of Caitlin Clark. She has taken on the role of both primary scorer and playmaker, guiding the team with confidence and control. Averaging 18.9 points per game and contributing 3.1 assists, Mitchell is making a clear impact on both ends of the court. Her leadership was key in helping the Fever capture the Commissioner’s Cup, and she has become the driving force behind Indiana’s turnaround. From a team struggling to find its footing, Mitchell has led the charge in bringing energy, purpose, and results to the floor.

Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks

Kelsey Plum has successfully gone out on her own after playing second fiddle to A’ja Wilson for years. She is leading the revolution in LA with 20.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game so far. While the team is still catching up to Plum’s standards, she has been the driving force of whatever success they have had this season. She is transforming the culture of the LA franchise from the core, and that will take some time. Despite moving away from her comfort zone, her ability as a point guard has stood out, making her a strong candidate to be a reserve for the upcoming All-Star weekend. 

Front Court:

Angel Reese, Chicago Sky

Angel Reese started the season slowly but has gained form and momentum as the season has gone on. She’s once again leading the league in rebounding with 12.6 rebounds per game and recently became the first player ever to grab 15-plus rebounds in four consecutive games. Playmaking has been an area of growth as her 3.8 assists per game are double of what she put up last season, and she recorded her first triple-double in June. Reese’s importance to this side cannot be overstated, as she is calling for the rest of the side to level up. Her 12.4 points per game is a slight drop off from last season, but she is recovering from that start effectively in the past few games. Her overall development into more of an all-around player warrants a place among the WNBA all-star reserves. 

Brionna Jones, Atlanta Dream

Brionna Jones has been a cornerstone of the Atlanta Dream’s strong 11-7 start this season. Head coach Karl Smesko has maximized the impact of his frontcourt, and despite being one of the slowest-paced teams in the league, the Dream ranks as the third-best offense. Jones has played a major role in that success, averaging 13.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1 steal per game. She dominates the paint with authority and makes her presence felt on both ends of the floor. Her elite offensive rebounding, in which she is second in the league, and highly efficient interior scoring have been standout factors, making her a compelling candidate for a reserve spot on the All-Star roster.

Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury

Why isn’t the league’s top playmaker an All-Star starter? The answer lies in circumstance. She missed five games early in the season due to a calf injury, and her fan vote turnout was relatively modest. But the coaches will not overlook what the fans missed. Averaging 14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.4 steals, she has been dominant across the board. Her all-around excellence has been a driving force behind the Phoenix Mercury’s impressive 12-5 record, which currently places them second in the standings. Simply put, her game speaks louder than the votes.

Kayla Thornton, Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries have not only exceeded expectations in their debut WNBA season but are quickly establishing themselves as legitimate playoff contenders. Sitting in sixth place with a 9-7 record, much of their success can be credited to Kayla Thornton, who has thrived in the biggest role of her career. Thornton is averaging 15 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, both team highs, underscoring her massive impact on both ends of the floor. She has also played the most compared to anyone on the squad, which makes these stats much more impressive. Thornton makes a strong case for a spot on the All-Star team as a reserve. 

Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm

Gabby Williams is finally putting her injury troubles behind her and reminding everyone of her all-around brilliance. She currently leads the WNBA in steals and made a statement last month with back-to-back double-doubles, one in points and rebounds, the other in points and assists. Averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per game, Williams has become a game-changer on both ends. While her red-hot shooting start has cooled slightly, she’s still knocking down nearly two threes per game and continues to be a nightmare in transition, where she’s nearly automatic. Her impact is undeniable. Let’s move on to the swing players who could be a part of the All-Star reserves. 

Wildcards

Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

With the Las Vegas Aces facing unexpected turbulence this season, A’ja Wilson is doing everything she can to keep the team afloat, and Jackie Young has stepped up right alongside her. Young has embraced a more aggressive scoring role, averaging 18 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. She is also getting to the free-throw line more than ever, drawing a career-high 4.2 attempts per game while maintaining her defensive intensity. Although the Aces have struggled, Young continues to be one of their most reliable and impactful players, providing a steady presence next to Wilson.

Brittney Sykes, Washington Mystics

Averaging 18.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, she is posting career highs in both scoring and assists. She is one of only four players ranked in the top 10 in both categories and leads the league in free throw attempts with an impressive 8.9 per game. As one of the few veterans on the roster with more than five years of experience, she is also serving as a mentor to standout rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. Sykes has been the driving force behind Washington’s push to stay in the playoff race, anchoring the team with leadership and consistent production

Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics

Kiki Iriafen has emerged as the strongest challenger to Paige Bueckers in the Rookie of the Year race. While Bueckers currently holds the edge, Iriafen has been a breath of fresh air for Washington, averaging 12.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Her presence in the paint has been crucial, delivering clutch moments and providing steady support to Brittney Sykes. Though her numbers may not top the rookie leaderboard, Iriafen’s influence extends well beyond the stat sheet. She finished sixth in fan voting among frontcourt players and eighth in both the media and player ballots. Had the Electoral College system not been in place, she would have secured a starting spot in the All-Star Game. That near miss makes her a frontrunner for one of the coveted All-Star reserve spots.

Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx

Despite missing the start of the season, Kayla McBride has returned in top form and has become a key force behind the Minnesota Lynx’s league-leading 14-2 record. She is averaging 15.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, showing her reliability on both ends of the court. McBride is also scorching the nets from beyond the arc, shooting a career-high 41 percent from three. Her veteran presence and all-around consistency have been crucial to Minnesota’s dominance, and her combination of team success and individual excellence puts her firmly in the All-Star reserve conversation.

While not every prediction may come true, there is no doubt that this All-Star Weekend in Indiana is set to be one for the history books. The atmosphere will be electric, the fan turnout is expected to break records both in the arena and on screens across the country, and the league’s brightest stars are ready to put on a show. From unforgettable moments to rising talents making their mark, this celebration of the game promises to captivate fans and elevate the WNBA to new heights.