CHICAGO – Despite a standout sophomore season marked by significant growth, Chicago Sky forward Angel reese will not begin the 2025 WNBA <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/07/01/2025-nba-free-agency-live-tracker-updates-news-rumors-top-players-signings-trades/” title=”Breaking: NBA Free Agency 2025 Live Tracker & News”>all-star Game as a starter. The highly popular second-year player finished just outside the top six frontcourt spots announced Monday for the game scheduled for July 19 in Indianapolis. While she narrowly missed the initial cut, Reese remains a strong candidate for one of the coveted reserve spots, which will be determined by the league’s head coaches in the coming week.
Understanding the All-Star Selection Process
Selection for the WNBA All-Star Game starters is a multi-faceted process designed to incorporate various perspectives across the league ecosystem. Voting is weighted across three key groups. Fans hold the most sway, accounting for 50% of the final weighted score. Players contribute 25%, offering insights based on direct competition and peer evaluation. The remaining 25% comes from members of the media, who cover the league extensively.
This year’s game marks a return to the traditional format. Unlike last season’s structure pitting Team USA against a roster of non-Olympic All-Stars, the 2025 event will feature two teams drafted by captains. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier earned captain honors by receiving the most fan votes across all players.
Announcing the 2025 Starters
The list of 10 players named as starters reflects a mix of established stars and rising talents. Alongside captains Clark and Collier, the starting guards include Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings (drafted first overall in the 2025 class, highlighted as a potential generational talent), Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream, and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty. The frontcourt starters are Aliyah Boston from the Indiana Fever, Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm, Satou Sabally from the Phoenix Mercury, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, and A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces.
Where Angel Reese Ranked in Voting
Angel Reese finished the starter voting process ranked seventh among frontcourt players. Her weighted score came in at 7.75. This placed her just behind Satou Sabally, who secured the sixth and final frontcourt starting spot with a weighted score of 6.5.
Breaking down Reese’s voting performance reveals a significant disparity between fan enthusiasm and evaluation from players and media. She finished an impressive fifth among frontcourt players in fan voting. However, Reese ranked substantially lower, tying for 12th place in both player and media voting. This difference highlights ongoing discussions about how different groups perceive a player’s value and impact.
Angel Reese’s Sophomore Season: Stats and Evolution
Reese’s second WNBA season has demonstrated clear progress, even if some traditional statistics show only modest changes. Through 16 games, she is averaging 12.4 points and a league-leading 12.6 rebounds. Her rookie averages were slightly higher at 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds. While scoring and rebounding numbers appear similar, her role on the court has visibly evolved.
This season, the Chicago Sky forward has embraced a new identity as a playmaking forward. She is spending significantly more time with the ball in her hands. Her assist numbers reflect this strategic shift, averaging 3.8 assists per game, more than double her rookie average of 1.9. This places her 19th across the entire league in assists. Among frontcourt players, only Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks averages slightly more (3.82 to 3.81).
Navigating the Growing Pains
Transitioning into a primary initiator role comes with challenges. Reese currently ranks second in the league in turnovers, averaging 3.4 per contest. This is lower only than Indiana’s Caitlin Clark (5.9 turnovers per game). Despite these growing pains, Reese has visibly improved in her comfort and effectiveness with the ball.
Her recent performance underscores this development. Over her last eight games, Reese has averaged an impressive 14.8 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. She has also shot a respectable 44.9% from the field during this stretch. While some external analysis has pointed to a need for improved finishing, particularly on put-back attempts generated by her elite offensive rebounding, her overall trajectory shows positive momentum. For instance, in a recent game against the Indiana Fever, she grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds but struggled offensively, scoring only 4 points on 2-for-7 shooting with 3 turnovers. This contrast illustrates the ongoing work in refining her offensive game alongside her expanded playmaking duties.
Elite Rebounding and Defensive Prowess
While her offensive role has changed, Reese’s dominance on the boards remains a constant strength for the Sky. Her league-leading 12.6 rebounds are anchored by a remarkable 4.3 offensive rebounds per game. This is a full rebound more than the second-place player, Brionna Jones of the Dream (3.3 ORPG). Her tenacity under the basket creates numerous second-chance opportunities for her team.
Beyond rebounding, Reese is a key defensive anchor. She frequently takes on the toughest defensive assignments, battling opposing star forwards like Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson. Her defensive impact extends to steals, where she is tied for sixth in the league at 1.8 per game alongside teammate Ariel Atkins. She also ranks second in the league in defensive rebound percentage (41.6%), trailing only Jonquel Jones of the Liberty.
Looking Ahead: Reserve Selections Offer Another Opportunity
While the starter announcement is complete, Angel Reese still has a strong chance to make the 2025 WNBA All-Star roster. The remaining 12 All-Star spots are reserved for selections made by the league’s 13 head coaches.
These reserve spots are allocated as follows: three guards, five frontcourt players, and four positionless selections. Coaches will consider a player’s overall performance, impact, and potentially their team’s success when making their decisions. The reserve selections are scheduled to be announced on Sunday. Following this, the team captains, Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier, will hold a draft on July 8 to determine the final rosters for each All-Star squad. Reese’s impressive rebounding numbers, defensive contributions, and improved playmaking certainly make a compelling case for coaches to include her among the reserves.
Beyond the All-Star Game: Reese’s Expanding Influence
Missing out on a starting spot doesn’t diminish Angel Reese’s significant impact on the league. Her presence, alongside other rising stars like Caitlin Clark, has undeniably contributed to a surge in WNBA popularity. Nationally televised games saw viewership highs not seen in over two decades in 2024. The intense public interest surrounding matchups involving players like Reese and Clark, sometimes amplified by moments like the flagrant foul incident in the 2025 season opener, drives unprecedented attention to the league.
Reese’s growing profile extends beyond the WNBA season. She is slated to participate in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled Basketball League, a new 3-on-3 competition co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Set to launch in Miami in January 2025 with a TNT Sports partnership, Unrivaled offers players a unique opportunity: 15% equity ownership in the league and six-figure minimum salaries, positioning it as potentially the top-paying women’s professional league globally. This venture underscores Reese’s status as a sought-after talent both on and off the traditional hardwood.
The Chicago Sky, currently navigating a season with high expectations for a playoff push, will rely heavily on Reese’s continued development and production. Despite some tough losses, including a decisive defeat to the Fever early in the season, the team’s goal remains firmly set on contention. Reese’s role as a cornerstone player is vital to achieving that objective.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are WNBA All-Star starters selected?
WNBA All-Star starters are chosen based on a weighted voting system. Fans contribute 50% of the vote, while both WNBA players and members of the media each contribute 25%. The top four guards and top six frontcourt players with the highest weighted scores from this combined vote are named as starters for the game.
Why didn’t Angel Reese make the All-Star starting lineup?
Angel Reese finished seventh among frontcourt players in the All-Star starter voting, just one spot outside the six starting positions. Her weighted score was 7.75, slightly behind the sixth-place finisher, Satou Sabally (6.5). While Reese received strong support from fans, ranking fifth in fan voting, her standing among players and media was lower, impacting her overall weighted score.
What are Angel Reese’s chances of still being an All-Star?
Angel Reese has a very good chance of being selected as a WNBA All-Star reserve. The remaining 12 spots on the All-Star roster are chosen by the league’s 13 head coaches. Given Reese’s league-leading rebounding, strong defensive metrics, and improved playmaking ability – stats coaches often value highly – she is considered a prime candidate for one of the reserve spots. These selections will be announced on Sunday.
In conclusion, while Angel Reese narrowly missed out on a starting spot for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, her sophomore season represents a significant leap in her development, particularly as a playmaker. Her elite rebounding and defensive capabilities remain unquestioned. The voting results highlight varying perceptions of her game, but her statistical impact and growing profile make her a likely candidate for a reserve selection. As the WNBA continues its surge in popularity, fueled in part by stars like Reese, her influence extends far beyond the All-Star ballot, cementing her status as one of the league’s most prominent figures.
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