Determining the 12 players that should be selected to the 2022 All-Star team. All-Star reserves will be formally announced on July 2.
The league announced on Wednesday the ten players voted in as starters, with Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson announced as team captains. It was also announced that Sylvia Fowles and Sue Bird, retiring after this season, will also be co-captains.
Your @ATT WNBA All-Star 2022 Starters and Co-Captains 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kQy5BeJg3Z
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 22, 2022
With just twelve spots, here’s a breakdown by position of who should be selected, plus a potential dark horse or two.
GUARDS
Courtney Vandersloot: Second in the league in assists per game with 7.1. Adding in 12.1 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting. Sloot appears the strongest lock for the host city to add another Sky player.
Natasha Cloud: Leading the WNBA in assists per game with 7.4. Cloud also averages 10.7 ppg, 3.6 rebounds per game and 1.2 steals per game for the Washington Mystics.
Skylar Diggins-Smith: Potential All-WNBA First or Second team candidate. Diggins-Smith is bringing in 18.7ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.7 spg for the Phoenix Mercury.
Arike Ogunbowale: Third in the league in scoring at 18.9 ppg. Her shooting percentage might derail her chances, though (39.3 percent). DARKHORSE
Kelsey Mitchell: She is fourth in the league in scoring at 18.8 ppg. She’s currently shooting 43.4 percent from the field while averaging 4.1 apg and 1.7 rpg for Indiana.
Jewell Loyd: Numbers are slightly down from last season. However, she’s still a focal point in the Storm’s offense. Loyd is bringing in 17.1 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.9 rpg and 1.1 spg. DARKHORSE
Ariel Atkins: Atkins’ shooting has taken a step forward this season and has been a significant asset for Washington. She is averaging 15.3 ppg on 43.2 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from long distance.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
Rhyne Howard: The frontrunner for Rookie of the Year is putting up solid numbers. Averaging 16.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.6 spg. Howard should end up as the Dream’s lone All-Star.
Natasha Howard: Howard’s numbers have increased this season since sliding over to the power forward position. Natasha is locking in 14.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.2 spg and 1.2 blocks per game for the Liberty and seeing New York with a 6-3 record for June.
Elena Delle Donne: Delle Donne’s numbers are down from her 2019 season. She’s also only appeared in eight games this season. The Mystics’ win-loss differential without her this season hasn’t been good. Nonetheless, Delle Donne is bringing in 14.9 ppg on 48.1 percent shooting while adding in 5.8 rpg and 2.2 apg. DARKHORSE
Allisha Gray: Consistent player for the Wings. She is averaging a career-high with 14.9 ppg while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from deep. Gray also sees a career-high with 5.8 rpg while adding in 1.1 spg for Dallas.
Alyssa Thomas: The new point forward for Connecticut is shooting 47.5 percent from the field this season. Thomas is also dropping 7.8 rpg, 5.7 apg and 1.4 spg for the Sun. She’s currently tied for second in the league with six double-doubles.
Dearica Hamby: Solid numbers for Hamby this season with her inserted in the Aces’ starting line-up. Hamby is bringing in 13.9 pgg on 56 percent shooting. She’s also adding in 9.1 rpg and 1.3 spg. The Aces already have three players selected to the All-Star team.
NaLyssa Smith: She is fifth overall and first in rookies in rebounds per game (8.8). Smith is also adding in 13.9 ppg and has seen four double-doubles this season so far. Debatable if the Fever get more than one selection, though. DARKHORSE
Ezi Magbegor: Ezi was inserted into the Storm’s starting line-up this season due to Mercedes Russell‘s injury. Ezi has become a defensive specialist for Seattle, bringing in 2.7 blocks per game (league leader) and 1.2 spg. Magbegor is also adding 11.8 ppg on 52 percent shooting plus 6.0 rpg. DARKHORSE
Emma Meesseman: The 2019 Finals MVP is thriving in Chicago. Emma’s averaging 13.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.1 apg and 1.9 spg (4th in the WNBA). Meesseman should be the host’s third selection.
Brionna Jones: Despite just 26.4 minutes per game, Jones is considered a top center in the league and frontrunner for Sixth Woman of the Year. Bri is bringing in 14.2 ppg on 56.7 percent shooting off the bench for Connecticut.
The 2022 WNBA All-Star Game will be held on July 10 in Chicago.
It’s official:
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) April 28, 2022
We’re hosting the 2022 @WNBA All-Star Game at @WintrustArena!
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