The excitement for the 2025 AT&T WNBA all-star Game is building, with the league announcing the twelve players selected as reserves. Chosen by the WNBA’s head coaches, these reserves represent a compelling mix of rising rookie talent and seasoned veterans ready to shine in Indianapolis on July 19th. Notably, two high-profile rookies from the Washington Mystics earned coveted spots, signaling a shift in the league’s landscape and providing a major boost for their team. Their selection highlights the immediate impact the 2025 draft class is making across the WNBA.
Rookies Crash the All-Star Reserve Party
Two standout first-year players for the Washington Mystics, guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen, were named among the dozen reserves. This recognition comes just months after they were selected back-to-back in the top four of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Citron was the third overall pick, while Iriafen followed closely at number four. Their inclusion means three of the top four draft picks are now 2025 All-Stars, joining the previously announced starter, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, who was the No. 1 overall selection. Bueckers secured her spot through a combination of fan, player, and media voting, underscoring the widespread anticipation surrounding this rookie class.
Citron and Iriafen: Instant Impact Players
Sonia Citron, the No. 3 pick, has quickly become a key offensive force, ranking second among all rookies in scoring this season with an impressive 14.6 points per game. She also sits third in rebounding (4.9 rpg) and fifth in assists (2.0 apg) within her rookie cohort, showcasing her versatile contributions. Kiki Iriafen, selected just after Citron at No. 4, has made her mark primarily in the frontcourt. She ranks tied for fourth across the entire WNBA in rebounding, pulling down a strong 8.3 boards per contest. Iriafen is also the third-leading scorer for her team, averaging 12.3 points per game in her debut season. While her overall season averages are robust, recent game logs indicate a temporary dip in shooting efficiency over her last few outings, including a season-low point total in a recent loss. Despite this minor slump, coaches clearly recognized her significant overall impact on the glass and consistent presence inside.
First-Time Honors for Veteran Standouts
Beyond the exciting rookie class, the list of reserves also features two veteran players earning their first-ever All-Star selections. Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton is set to make her All-Star debut in her remarkable tenth WNBA season. Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams also receives her first All-Star nod in her seventh professional season. Thornton’s selection is particularly noteworthy, making her one of the most veteran players in league history to achieve this milestone for the first time.
New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, who will be coaching one of the All-Star teams, praised Thornton’s long-awaited recognition. “It would be such a reward for [Thornton],” Brondello commented. “She’s been a role player all her career, but to go into a new organization and do so well, I voted for her as an alternate to get there because she deserves it.” This sentiment highlights the respect coaches have for players who consistently perform and elevate their game, especially in new environments.
Gabby Williams’ Defensive Prowess Recognized
Gabby Williams’ first selection is powered by her stellar defensive performance this season. She currently leads the entire league in steals, averaging 2.6 thefts per game. Williams is also enjoying career-highs in points (13.3 ppg) and assists (4.7 apg), demonstrating significant all-around growth in her seventh year. Her impactful two-way play has clearly captured the attention of league coaches.
Familiar Faces Return to the All-Star Stage
Adding considerable experience to the reserve squad are several multi-time All-Stars. Skylar Diggins of the Seattle Storm makes her seventh All-Star appearance, bringing a wealth of scoring prowess as the WNBA’s fifth-leading active scorer. Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas earns her sixth selection and fourth consecutive nod; known for her exceptional passing, Thomas leads the league in assists this season with an impressive 9.4 per game and is the league’s career triple-doubles leader.
Also returning for their fourth All-Star appearances are Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum and Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young. Plum, a former All-Star Game MVP in 2022, remains one of the league’s premier scorers, currently ranking fourth overall with 20.1 points per game. Recent game logs show her consistently hitting the 20-point mark, including a strong outing in a recent Sparks victory over the Fever where she shot efficiently from three-point range. Young is enjoying a career-second-best scoring season, averaging 17.3 points and ranking second on her team in assists, continuing her strong run of form that has earned her four straight selections.
Other Noteworthy Reserve Selections
The reserve pool is rounded out by more established talents and a second-year phenom. Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, makes her third All-Star appearance, leading the league in made three-pointers this season with 49 while also averaging a career-high 4.7 assists. Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell earns her third consecutive selection, leading her team and ranking fifth in the WNBA in scoring at a career-high 19.3 points per contest.
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese makes her second All-Star team selection in just her rookie season, a rare feat highlighting her immediate impact. Reese has been statistically dominant, leading the entire league in rebounds (12.6 rpg) and defensive rebounds (8.3 rpg). Recent performances underscore her power on the boards, having set a WNBA record for consecutive games with at least 15 rebounds (four straight) and joining an elite group with three straight games of at least 15 points and 15 rebounds. Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams receives her second All-Star nod, contributing 12.9 points and tied for fourth in the league with 5.9 assists per game for the team with the best record in the WNBA.
The All-Star Draft Approaches
With the full roster of starters and reserves now set, the next step is the highly anticipated All-Star draft. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier were named the captains as the two starters who received the most fan votes. They will draft their respective team rosters live on ESPN during “WNBA Countdown.”
The draft process will see Clark and Collier first select from the remaining eight players designated as starters who are not captains. Following the selection of all starters, they will then choose from the pool of 12 reserves announced today to complete their teams. This draft format ensures a unique and dynamic matchup for the game itself. The All-Star draft is scheduled to be televised on Tuesday, July 8th, at 7 p.m. ET, offering fans a first look at how the teams will take shape.
Should any player selected for the All-Star Game be unable to participate due to injury or other reasons, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert holds the authority to name a replacement player.
The Full Starting Lineup
For context, the ten players previously announced as starters alongside captains Clark and Collier are:
Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever)
Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)
Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)
Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm)
Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury)
Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
- A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
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These starters, combined with the talented reserves, create a powerhouse roster for the 2025 exhibition game. The All-Star Game itself is the centerpiece of a three-day event in Indianapolis, featuring skills competitions and other fan activities leading up to the July 19th game broadcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which rookies were selected as 2025 WNBA All-Stars?
The 2025 WNBA All-Star selections feature four standout rookies. Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings was named a starter after being the No. 1 draft pick. The Washington Mystics have two rookies selected as reserves: guard Sonia Citron (No. 3 pick) and forward Kiki Iriafen (No. 4 pick). Additionally, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (No. 7 pick) earned a reserve spot in her second All-Star selection already.
Who are the first-time WNBA All-Stars among the 2025 reserves?
Four players among the 2025 WNBA All-Star reserves are first-time selections. This group includes the two rookie guards from the Washington Mystics, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. They are joined by two veterans receiving their first All-Star nods: Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton, in her tenth season, and Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams, in her seventh season.
What are some key stats for the 2025 WNBA All-Star reserves?
The selected reserves feature impressive statistics this season. Angel Reese leads the league in rebounding (12.6 rpg). Alyssa Thomas leads in assists (9.4 apg) and is the career triple-doubles leader. Kayla Thornton leads her team with career-highs in scoring (14.9 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg). Rhyne Howard leads the league in made three-pointers (49). Kelsey Plum ranks fourth in league scoring (20.1 ppg). Skylar Diggins is the fifth-leading active scorer. Kiki Iriafen ranks tied for fourth in the WNBA in rebounding (8.3 rpg).
Conclusion
The unveiling of the 2025 WNBA All-Star reserves adds another layer of excitement to the upcoming midseason classic in Indianapolis. The inclusion of prominent rookies like Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen alongside rising second-year star Angel Reese signals a promising future for the league, while the selection of seasoned veterans like Skylar Diggins, Alyssa Thomas, and Kelsey Plum ensures a high level of competitive talent. The recognition of long-time contributors like Kayla Thornton and Gabby Williams with their first All-Star berths is also a feel-good story. With captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier set to draft their teams soon, fans can eagerly anticipate watching this talented mix of players compete on July 19th.
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