The 2023 WNBA All-star game is scheduled for July 15 in Las Vegas. The starters were announced on June 25 on ABC, prior to the Mystics vs. Liberty game. Moreover, the reserves will be announced on Saturday, July 1, during the Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces game on ABC (3 pm EST). Here are the possible twelve players selected as the reserves for the All-star game, plus a few dark horses.
🌟 INTRODUCING YOUR 2023 @ATT #WNBAALLSTAR STARTERS 🌟 pic.twitter.com/z8azHF7fvB
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 25, 2023
Guards
Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever
Mitchell was deemed a snub for the 2022 All-star game. Indiana has already had more success this season than last season due to several new additions. Additionally, Mitchell’s statistics remain roughly the same from 2022. Through 14 games currently, she’s averaging 17.1 points per game, 2.4 assists per game, and nearly one steal per game.
Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Ionescu appears headed toward being named an All-star for her second straight year. Ionescu has less of a burden this season due to the additions of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot, and Kayla Thorton. However, her statistics remain solid. Despite missing two games last week (hamstring), she’s averaging 16.1 ppg, 5.6 rebounds per game, 4.5 apg, one steal per game, and is shooting a career-high 42.2 % from 3-point range.
Sabrina Ionescu quieted the Atlanta crowd 🤫 pic.twitter.com/J4fxkvgQkC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 24, 2023
Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
Plum is currently 15th in the league in scoring and appears headed to another All-star game. This would give the hosts, the Las Vegas Aces, four players representing them at the All-star game. Plum’s shooting is down slightly from last season but still remains a threat in attacking the paint and from 3-point range.
Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
Gray’s first year in Atlanta has currently been the best in her seven years in the WNBA. Statistically, she’s seeing career highs in points (17.8), rebounds (5.5), assists (2.8), and shooting (47.7%). The Dream’s 5-7 record shouldn’t derail them from possible multiple All-star selections.
WINGS
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard is currently 13th in the league in scoring and has improved in all areas from her 2022 rookie season—a dynamic force in running the Dream’s uptempo system. Howard is also seen as a defensive presence on the wing as well. From 2022, Howard’s up 1.1 ppg, 0.6 rpg, and her shooting has increased to 38.6%. Howard should be a lock to become a second-time All-star.
Kahleah Copper, Chicago Sky
Copper likely ends up as the Sky’s lone All-star this season. Chicago has gone through a total rebuild this season and currently has a 6-9 record. Copper is 17th overall in scoring and averaging a career-high 16.4 ppg. Additionally, Copper’s shooting remains solid, with 41.7% from the field and 42% from 3-point range.
Splashhhhhhh @kahleahcopper 👌
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 28, 2023
📺 @NBATV pic.twitter.com/uboj4Vs3WQ
DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun
Bonner is currently in her 14th season and is seeing a solid uptick in her numbers. The four-time All-star is looking like she’ll make another appearance, having last been named an All-star in 2021. Concurrently, Bonner’s averages are 17.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, and 1.1 spg. Her shooting percentages are also up, with 41.9% from the field and 3.48% from the 3-point range.
Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics
The two-time MVP is currently tenth in points per game and seeing her best numbers since her 2019 MVP season. Delle Donne remains one of the toughest players to defend, both on the wing and in the paint. Overall, her assets continue to shine and make her one of the best all-around players in the league. This would be her seventh overall All-star nod.
POSTS
Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Collier is having an MVP-type season. She’s currently fourth in points per game (21.8) and 14th in rebounds per game (7.7). Her shooting remains solid and she has emerged this season as the Lynx’s veteran leader. The Lynx’s 5-7 record shouldn’t deter voters from not selecting Collier for her third All-star game.
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun
Thomas is a top-five candidate for MVP and should have been named a starter for this year’s All-star game. Thomas is nearly averaging a triple-double with 14.6 ppg, 10.4 rpg, and 8.0 apg. If there’s any lock for an All-star reserve, it’s the Sun’s Alyssa Thomas. This would be her fourth overall All-star appearance.
Despite the loss vs. the Liberty, Alyssa Thomas put up her third triple-double in SEVEN days.
— espnW (@espnW) June 28, 2023
She is the first player with three triple-doubles in a season in WNBA history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/l96eaT1o8C
Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm
Ezi remains one of the league’s best defensive players, which should result in her first All-star nod. In her fourth season, Magbegor is seeing career highs in several categories. Through 14 games, she’s averaging 15.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 spg, 1.8 apg, and 2.1 blocks per game (3rd in the league). Give this Aussie her respect for her first All-star game selection.
Cheyenne Parker, Atlanta Dream
The Dream’s Cheyenne Parker is seeing career highs in several categories. Through 12 games, she’s averaging 15.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.6 spg, and 1.2 blocks per game. Voters should look at the improvement in Parker’s game this season and give her her first All-star selection.
CHEYENNE PARKER CAME UP CLUTCH 😤 pic.twitter.com/4TH9BdLDxF
— ESPN (@espn) June 16, 2023
Dark Horses
Natasha Cloud, Washington Mystics
The Mystics’ Cloud is currently fourth in the league in assists per game (6.0). Cloud remains a solid defensive guard and one of the top ball handlers in the league. However, her shooting remains under 40% and her 3-point shooting is down to 2.68%. Cloud has never been named a WNBA All-star.
Courtney Vandersloot, New York Liberty
Vandersloot is currently the league leader in assists per game (8.6). Sloot also has upper her defensive game this season with 1.5 steals per game. However, her scoring is down slightly from her last few years in Chicago. Additionally, her 3-point shooting is at a career-low at 26.3%.
Thee CLUTCH shot that took us into OT 🫡 @Sloot22 is our @Withings Highlight of the Game pic.twitter.com/r0gLKs0D7O
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 25, 2023
Natasha Howard, Dallas Wings
Howard is having a solid first year in Dallas. Playing alongside Teaira McCowan has helped her game and lessened the burden in the paint and rebounding. However, her shooting is down, seeing percentages at 42.4% from the field and only 29% from 3-point range. Finally, she remains one of the top defensive posts in the league. This would be Howard’s fourth All-star selection.
NaLyssa Smith, Indiana Fever
Smith is having another outstanding season with the Fever. She’s currently third in rebounds per game (10.2), but her shooting accuracy remains a concern. Through 14 games currently, Smith is shooting 43.4% from the field. Her shot selection is at a high difficulty level and her outside shooting has declined this year. However, she’s averaging a double-double, which only three other players are achieving currently. A clear dark horse for an All-star selection, but also deserving of it at the same time.
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