2026 WNBA All-Star Game Draft Sets Stage for Thrilling Exhibition Matchup
The stage is set for an exciting 2026 WNBA All-Star Game, as the rosters for the annual exhibition matchup have been finalized following a thrilling All-Star draft held on Wednesday. Honorary general managers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon took turns selecting players from the pool of WNBA All-Stars, with the first pick going to the team led by Cooper.
The draft began with a coin flip, which saw Cooper win the right to select the top vote-getter in fan voting. As a result, Cooper’s team was given the first pick in the draft, and she selected Paige Bueckers to lead her team, Team Cooper. Meanwhile, Weatherspoon’s team, Team Weatherspoon, was given the second pick and selected Caitlin Clark, the second-highest vote-getter in fan voting.
Team Cooper and Team Weatherspoon Rosters Revealed
Here is a look at the full rosters for both teams, with the starters in bold:
Team Cooper
- Coach: Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces
- Paige Bueckers
- Breanna Stewart
- Frontcourt
- Kelsey Mitchell
- Natasha Howard
- Gabby Williams
- Angel Reese
- Marina Mabrey
- Dominique Malonga
- Kelsey Plum
- Jacqueline Young
- Sonia Citron
Team Weatherspoon
- Coach: Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx
- Caitlin Clark
- A’ja Wilson
- Olivia Miles
- Aliyah Boston
- Jessica Shepard
- Rhyne Howard
- Allisha Gray
- Jonquel Jones
- Courtney Williams
- Kiki Iriafen
- Nneka Ogwumike
With the rosters set, the stage is now set for a thrilling matchup between Team Cooper and Team Weatherspoon. The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will take place on July 25 at the United Center in Chicago, with the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest scheduled for July 24 at Wintrust Arena.
Key Takeaways from the Draft
One of the most significant storylines surrounding the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is the reunion of Caitlin Clark and Cheryl Reeve, who have a contentious history dating back to the 2024 Olympics. In 2024, Clark’s first preseason game was broadcast on the WNBA app for free, while the Minnesota Lynx’s preseason game on the same night was not broadcast at all. Reeve later aired her frustration with the situation on social media, using the hashtag #theWismorethanoneplayer.
Clark was also a controversial omission from Team USA’s 2024 Olympics team, which was coached by Reeve and went on to win an eighth consecutive gold medal. While Reeve was not part of the selection committee that put together the roster, she certainly influenced the team selection.
Another key storyline surrounding the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is the chemistry edge that Team Weatherspoon has over Team Cooper. With three pairs of teammates, including Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, and Olivia Miles and Courtney Williams, Team Weatherspoon has a clear edge in terms of team chemistry.
As the stage is set for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game, fans are eagerly anticipating the matchup between Team Cooper and Team Weatherspoon. With the rosters finalized and the stage set, the focus now turns to the exhibition matchup, which promises to be an exciting and thrilling event.
