As part of the WNBA’s 30th anniversary celebration, current All-Stars gathered in Chicago for All-Star Weekend. The festivities honored the legends who built this league, including Theresa Weatherspoon and Cynthia Cooper, who served as general managers for the two All-Star teams. Elena Delle Donne, Lauren Jackson, Deanna Nolan, and Rebekkah Brunson participated in the Shooting Stars competition, while Lisa Leslie and Rebecca Lobo were among dozens honored on the court before the All-Star Game. Tamecka Dixon was a coach at Basketball Without Borders.
During the weekend, CBS Sports caught up with numerous current All-Stars to ask them about their early WNBA memories, which of the league’s legends they wish they could have played with, and where they hope to see the league expand over the next 30 years.
For many of the current All-Stars, their first WNBA memories are deeply personal and date back to their childhood. Some, like Jonquel Jones, remember watching the Detroit Shock play on TV and being amazed that there was a professional league for women. ‘Oh my, like we have a league,’ she exclaimed.
Others, like Bridget Carleton, recall attending a Detroit Shock game with their mom and being inspired to pursue a career in professional basketball. ‘I had no idea what was going on, but going to that game, realizing there was a WNBA, I could play professional basketball in the United States was really, really cool and a big part of me falling in love with the game.’
Paige Bueckers, on the other hand, remembers playing at halftime during a Minnesota Lynx game and being awestruck by the experience. ‘Like just to be on that floor where professionals play, where women in the WNBA played. So that was like a surreal eye-opening experience for me.’
Aliyah Boston’s first WNBA game was a Connecticut Sun game, which she watched with her aunt in Massachusetts. ‘It was such a crazy experience because that was a dream of mine. After that, it was like, OK, this is where you want to be – work toward it.’
Jessica Shepard, on the other hand, grew up in the Virgin Islands but spent summers in the States. ‘I remember my first WNBA game was a Connecticut Sun game. My aunt lived in Massachusetts, so we just drove the hour.’
Jackie Young remembers going to a Fever game and sitting courtside to watch Candace Parker. ‘She was my favorite player. I had a video of her warming up on my Snapchat. I sent it to her.’
For so many current All-Stars, getting to see a game in person has stuck with them to this day. They recall being inspired by the likes of Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker, who made a lasting impact on the league.
Even among the legends, there are certain names that stand out: Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Tamika Catchings, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Candace Parker. Current All-Stars were asked which former player they wish they could have played with, and those names came up most often.
But they weren’t the only ones that received some love. Rebekkah Brunson, for example, was mentioned by several players, including Bridget Carleton, who said, ‘She’s my former coach. All-time winningest player in WNBA history. How she approached the game was incredible.’
As for the future of the league, many current All-Stars expressed hopes for expansion and growth. ‘I think the WNBA is in a great place right now,’ said Natasha Howard. ‘We’ve got a strong foundation, and I think we can continue to build on that.’
For now, the WNBA is celebrating 30 years of existence, and current All-Stars are reflecting on their first WNBA memories, past legends, and the league’s future.
