The WNBA announced the 12 reserves for the 2026 All-Star Game on Tuesday, completing the list of players who will be taking the court in Chicago on July 25. The most notable picks include Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese and Los Angeles Sparks‘ Nneka Ogwumike, who is making history with the 11th selection of her career.
The Dream had the most reserves selected with Reese, Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. This comes shortly after Reese spoke out about her team being “disrespected” for not having any starters despite the fact that, at the time, they were tied with the New York Liberty for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, Ogwumike officially tied Diana Taurasi for the second-most selections in league history. Sue Bird is still the record-holder with 13 All-Star appearances.
While the starters were voted in by fans, players and media, the reserves were picked by the league’s coaches. They filled out a ballot that included three guards, five frontcourt players and four players of any position. Conference did not matter, but coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own team.
2026 WNBA All-Star Game reserves
The coaches for the All-Star games are not set yet. They will come from the two teams, regardless of conference, that hold the best records following games on Friday, July 10.
Things will be different this year because of the league’s 30th season celebration. In previous years, the players with the most votes became captains and were in charge of drafting their teams from the pool of the selected All-Stars. This time around, WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as honorary general managers. If needed, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert will select replacement players.
One player to keep an eye on will be Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, who has been sidelined since late June with a lower leg injury. This is her fifth consecutive All-Star selection, but her status for the game is still to be determined. Per ESPN, a decision will be made closer to the game.
2026 WNBA All-Star Game starters
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 25. This year’s event will take place at the United Center in Chicago, home of the Sky — who notably don’t have any players participating.
