With July in full swing, anticipation for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis is reaching fever pitch. Eight starters are already locked in—Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Allisha Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Nneka Ogwumike, Satou Sabally, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson—while captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier await the addition of twelve reserves. League coaches must now select three guards, five frontcourt players, and four wild-cards, steering clear of their own rosters. The full reserve list drops at noon ET on Sunday, with Clark and Collier drafting teams live on Tuesday night’s “WNBA Countdown.”
ESPN’s panel—Alexa Philippou, Michael Voepel, Kendra Andrews, and Kevin Pelton—has sketched out who they believe will complete the lineup. In the frontcourt, Chicago’s Angel Reese headlines the predictions by leading the league in rebounds and flashing new-found playmaking, including her first professional triple-double. Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas carries her “Engine” moniker west, topping the WNBA in assists while jump-starting the Mercury’s resurgence. Brionna Jones has settled seamlessly into Atlanta, anchoring the Dream’s boards and even stepping out for triples. Expansion darling Kayla Thornton is stuffing the stat sheet for the Golden State Valkyries, and Seattle’s versatile Gabby Williams is swiping a league-best 2.6 steals per night while shooting a career-high from deep.
Backcourt projections are equally stacked. Skylar Diggins is powering Seattle’s offense with nearly 19 points and six assists per game on blistering perimeter accuracy, while Atlanta sharpshooter Rhyne Howard paces the league in made threes and continues to mature as a two-way force. Minnesota veteran Kayla McBride is enjoying her most efficient season yet, Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell keeps the Fever afloat during Caitlin Clark’s injury spell, and Los Angeles newcomer Kelsey Plum is flirting with the rare 20-points-and-five-assists club. Washington’s Brittney Sykes earns nods for relentless rim pressure and free-throw volume, and Jackie Young remains Las Vegas’ versatile constant on both ends.
Tough cuts were inevitable. Los Angeles forward Dearica Hamby’s robust all-around numbers narrowly missed the frontcourt quota, while Minnesota shot-blocker Alanna Smith, Washington rookie standout Sonia Citron, and injured New York centerpiece Jonquel Jones all fell victim to either positional limits or availability concerns.
If any reserve deserved a starting gig, ESPN’s experts argue it would be Diggins—whose production rivals her 2022 All-WNBA campaign—or Thomas, whose do-everything profile keeps Phoenix in the contender conversation whenever she’s on the floor. Whether they enter as starters or reserves, both remain central figures to watch when Indianapolis lights up for tip-off on July 19.
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