The rosters for the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game were finalized on Saturday during the live draft special featuring team captains A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Those two superstars earned that honor for the second consecutive season by virtue of receiving the most fan votes.
Wilson, who had the most fan votes, picked first among the starters and went with her teammate, and reigning Finals MVP, Chelsea Gray. Stewart then selected Brittney Griner, who is back in the All-Star Game after missing all of last season while she was detained in Russia. As the draft went along, a clear pattern emerged. Wilson stuck with her Aces teammates and fellow South Carolina alumni. Stewart, meanwhile picked her Liberty teammates, as well as former Storm teammates.
Two-time MVP Elena Delle Donne ended up being the last pick, which was due to uncertainty about her availability for the game due to a sprained ankle. As it turned out, she was back on the floor on Sunday, and was expecting to play in the All-Star Game, but then re-sprained her ankle against the Sun and will be out for at least two weeks. Reigning Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard was named as her injury replacement.
The coaches for the game will be Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces and Stephanie White of the Connecticut Sun. They earned those spots because their teams had the best record in their respective conferences at the June 30 cut-off date. Hammon will lead Team Wilson, while White will helm Team Stewart. Of course, there's not much actual coaching necessary during the All-Star Game.
Here's a look at the rosters for next week's big game (starters in bold):
Team Wilson
| Player | Team | Position | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | Frontcourt | Captain |
Chelsea Gray | Las Vegas Aces | Guard | No. 1 |
Jackie Young | Las Vegas Aces | Guard | No. 3 |
Aliyah Boston | Indiana Fever | Frontcourt | No. 5 |
Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | Guard | No. 7 |
Kelsey Plum | Las Vegas Aces | Guard | No. 10 |
Allisha Gray | Atlanta Dream | Guard | No. 12 |
Alyssa Thomas | Connecticut Sun | Frontcourt | No. 14 |
Cheynne Parker | Atlanta Dream | Frontcourt | No. 16 |
DeWanna Bonner | Connecticut Sun | Frontcourt | No. 18 |
Elena Delle Donne (Injured) | Washington Mystics | Frontcourt | No. 20 |
Rhyne Howard (Injury replacement) | Atlanta Dream | Guard | N/A |
Team Stewart
| Pick | Team | Position | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
Breanna Stewart | New York Liberty | Frontcourt | Captain |
Brittney Griner | Phoenix Mercury | Frontcourt | No. 2 |
Jewell Loyd | Seattle Storm | Guard | No. 4 |
Satou Sabally | Dallas Wings | Frontcourt | No. 6 |
Nneka Ogwumike | Los Angeles Sparks | Frontcourt | No. 8 |
Courtney Vandersloot | New York Liberty | Guard | No. 9 |
Sabrina Ionescu | New York Liberty | Guard | No. 11 |
Ezi Magbegor | Seattle Storm | Frontcourt | No. 13 |
Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx | Frontcourt | No. 15 |
Kelsey Mitchell | Indiana Fever | Guard | No. 17 |
Kahleah Copper | Chicago Sky | Guard | No. 18 |
All-Star Weekend will take place in Las Vegas from July 14-15, with Sin City playing host for the third time in five years. The Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest will kick off the activity on Friday afternoon, with the All-Star Game set for Saturday evening. Team Wilson won last year's matchup, 134-112, and Team Stewart will be out for revenge.
