Caitlin Clark Will Likely Face Team USA In WNBA All Star Game!
The WNBA All Star Game is going to be huge. The event will take place July 20th at Footprint Arena, home of the Phoenix Mercury. But beyond just having all the best players under one roof, this exhibition will likely feature a massive storyline.
The format for the contest this year is Team USA vs Team WNBA, meaning the full Olympic squad will be represented. The WNBA roster will be chosen mostly by vote with the top 10 vote getters from the combination of fans (50%), fellow players (25%) and media members (25%) being picked to represent the W. The coaches in the league will then select the final team members from the remaining pool. And not the one Caitlin Clark touched as the Indiana Fever visited the USA Swimming trials.
Up for a quick swim, @CaitlinClark22??#SwimTrials24 | @IndianaFever pic.twitter.com/7RWUStviG3
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) June 18, 2024
This obviously sets up a potential showdown between Clark, who it is hard to imagine won't be amongst the leading vote getters, and will probably top the list, and the USA basketball roster she was not chosen for. Which means the WNBA will certainly not have the same problems the NBA has when it comes to putting on a proper All-Star contest.
Here are the 10 players I would currently cast a ballot for to suit up for the W against the USA (in no particular order).
1. Caitlin Clark
Let's not overthink this. An All-Star Game is to give the fans what they want and Clark is also worthy from a production and skill standpoint, making this an easy choice.
2. Jonquel Jones
The New York Liberty star is a devastating force in the post. The former MVP is averaging close to a double-double while shooting nearly 60% from the floor.
3. DeWanna Bonner
Bonner is a perennial All-Star at this point and the Connecticut Sun deserve recognition for the season they are having, with Bonner being a key contributor.
4. Arike Ogunbowale
Ogunbowale is a bucket. The league's second leading scorer was the most discussed Olympic snub aside from Clark, though she mentioned she removed herself from consideration due to politics.
5. Nneka Ogwumike
Ogwumike is no stranger to All-Star games as this would be her ninth selection. She's picked up right where she left off with the Los Angeles Sparks during her first season with the Seattle Storm.
6. Dearica Hamby
The Los Angeles Sparks star is eighth in the league in scoring and second in rebounding making it a no brainer choice to take one of the top players in the WNBA.
7. Rhyne Howard
Howard's streak of All-Star appearances should continue as the Dream standout would still be part of the WNBA roster during the festivities despite being selected for the Olympic 3x3 team.
8. Kayla McBride
The Minnesota Lynx are having a strong season and McBride is a big reason. She is averaging 17 points per game while leading the league in three point percentage.
9. Allisha Gray
Gray is both scoring and shooting the lights out for the Dream, and should make her second All-Star appearance as one of the league's top wings.
10. Angel Reese
I'll let the league's coaches sort out who was left off that is most deserving, but for the good of the growth of the sport, it's worth casting a vote for double-double machine Reese. And then we'd get to see her and Clark on the same team.
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!