As the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game approaches, excitement is building for the event set to take place in Phoenix on July 20. For the first time, the showcase will feature Team USA against Team WNBA, a unique format that promises to add a new level of competitiveness and intrigue.
Fan voting for the All-Star Game opens Thursday and will continue through June 29. This year, the voting process has been modified to accommodate the format. Fans will vote for ten players, including four backcourt and six frontcourt players, with all active players eligible, even those on the Team USA roster.
The top ten vote-getters will automatically earn All-Star spots. If any of these players are not on Team USA, they will be placed on the Team WNBA roster. The next 36 highest vote-getters will be considered by the league’s coaches to fill the remaining spots on the 12-player Team WNBA roster.
Here are the early projections for the Team WNBA roster based on current performances and fan interest:
Backcourt
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick, is having a historic rookie season with averages of 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and six assists per game. Despite missing out on a Team USA spot, she is likely to be a fan favourite for the All-Star Game.
Rhyne Howard the Atlanta Dream All-Star in her first two seasons, continues to impress with 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.
Marina Mabrey, Chicago Sky Mabrey is enjoying a breakout season, averaging 15.1 points, six rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Her performance makes her a strong candidate for her first All-Star appearance.
Kayla McBride: Minnesota Lynx McBride is having one of the best shooting seasons in history, averaging 17.8 points and 3.8 assists per game with remarkable shooting splits of 49.6/51.7/92.1.
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings Ogunbowale, a perennial All-Star, is second in the league in scoring with 26.4 points per game, along with 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 3.2 steals.
Frontcourt
DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun Bonner is averaging 18.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, contributing significantly to the Sun’s strong season. This would mark her sixth All-Star appearance.
Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks Hamby has been a standout player this season, averaging 20 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, and is a frontrunner for Most Improved Player.
Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun Jones has returned strongly from injury, averaging 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game with an impressive shooting percentage of 59%.
Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty Jones, a key player for the Liberty, is averaging 15.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, shooting a career-high 56.7% from the field.
Ezi Magbegor of the Seattle Storm is one of the league’s top defensive players, leading in blocks with three per game and also averaging 13.2 points.
Nneka Ogwumike: Seattle Storm Ogwumike has been stellar for the Storm, averaging 18.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and leading the league in field goal percentage.
Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx Smith has been a revelation for the Lynx, averaging 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game.
As fan voting begins, these projections highlight the impressive talent pool for the Team WNBA roster. The 2024 All-Star Game promises to be a thrilling event, showcasing some of the best players in the league as they face off against Team USA.
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