The highly anticipated 2025 WNBA All-Star Game rosters are set following a thrilling captain’s draft. On Tuesday, July 8th, fans tuned in to see captains Caitlin clark of the Indiana Fever and Napheesa collier of the Minnesota Lynx build their squads. As the top two fan vote recipients, Clark and Collier earned the honor of selecting from the league’s best. The draft unfolded with strategic picks, unexpected moments, and revealed the lineups ready to compete in Indianapolis.
This year’s draft process added extra excitement, culminating in the reveal before the main event. The 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, July 19th, hosted at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Fever. The action tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+. Get ready for a star-studded showcase!
How the All-Star Rosters Took Shape
Team selection for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game involved a multi-step process. First, fans, media, and players voted to determine the pool of All-Stars. Fan votes accounted for a significant 50% of the starter selection weight. Media and players each contributed 25%. Reserves were then chosen by the league’s head coaches.
Caitlin Clark led all players with a remarkable 1,293,526 fan votes. Napheesa Collier finished second in fan balloting with 1,176,020 votes. Their top finishes secured their spots as captains and automatic starters for the game.
The draft itself was divided into two distinct rounds. In the first round, Clark and Collier selected from the eight remaining All-Star starters. As the highest vote-getter, Clark earned the coveted first overall pick. The captains then alternated picks for the rest of the round. The second round focused on the twelve All-Star reserves. Collier held the first pick in the reserve round (ninth overall), with the captains again alternating selections until all reserves were drafted. The goal was simple: build the strongest, most cohesive, and perhaps most entertaining team possible without regard to conference or position restrictions.
Team Clark: Familiarity and Star Power
Caitlin Clark entered the draft with a clear priority: bringing her Indiana Fever teammates to play in front of their home crowd in Indianapolis. She wasted no time making her intentions known. With the first overall pick, Clark selected Fever center Aliyah Boston, solidifying a dynamic duo known for their on-court chemistry.
Beyond her teammates, Clark built a roster loaded with offensive firepower and league MVPs. Her starter selections included New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (third pick), Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (fifth pick), and Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (seventh pick). This group formed a formidable potential starting five alongside Clark and Boston.
In the reserve round, Clark continued her strategy by drafting another Fever teammate, guard Kelsey Mitchell, with her first reserve pick (tenth overall). This ensured all three Indiana All-Stars would play together on Team Clark. Her reserve picks also included Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (12th pick), Washington Mystics rookies Sonia Citron (14th pick) and Kiki Iriafen (16th pick), Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (18th pick), and Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (20th pick). This blend of established stars, rising rookies, and teammates makes Team Clark an exciting squad. Both Citron and Iriafen mark their first-ever All-Star selections.
Team Collier: Connections and Versatility
Napheesa Collier approached the draft with a strategy emphasizing existing connections, including teammates and players from the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league she co-founded. With the second overall pick, Collier selected New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, her fellow Unrivaled co-founder.
Collier’s starter selections continued by adding Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (fourth pick), Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (sixth pick), and Dallas Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers (eighth pick). Drafting Bueckers reunited the former UConn teammates, with Collier affectionately calling her a “Baby Husky.”
Kicking off the reserve round, Collier used the ninth overall pick to draft her Minnesota Lynx teammate, guard Courtney Williams. This move mirrored Clark’s teammate-focused strategy. Collier’s subsequent reserve picks included Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (11th pick), Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (13th pick), Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (15th pick), Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (17th pick), and Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (19th pick). Team Collier boasts a roster known for its competitiveness, defensive prowess, and versatile scoring threats, featuring rookies Angel Reese and first-time All-Star Paige Bueckers. Collier notably referred to Reese as “Mebounds” during the draft.
Notable Draft Day Moments and Decisions
The 2025 WNBA All-Star draft wasn’t just about the picks; it featured several memorable moments. One highlight was the captains’ attempts to make player trades after the rosters were initially set. Clark proposed swapping Satou Sabally for Breanna Stewart, hoping to gain some size, but Collier declined. Collier then countered, offering Stewart for Clark’s coveted first pick, Aliyah Boston. Clark’s immediate, firm refusal (“Absolutely not. Not happening.”) added a dramatic touch to the proceedings.
While player trades fell through, the captains agreed to a highly unusual move: swapping coaches. Originally, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was slated to coach Team Clark, and New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello was assigned to Team Collier based on standings. However, Clark and Collier decided to switch them. Clark candidly stated on air, “I don’t know if this is in the rules, I don’t really care… we are going to trade coaches.” This unconventional trade was approved by the WNBA and ESPN, leading to Sandy Brondello coaching Team Clark and Cheryl Reeve coaching Team Collier. This pairs Brondello with her Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu and Reeve with her Lynx players Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams.
The draft also shined a light on several first-time All-Stars and rookies, including Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. Their inclusion highlights the exciting young talent emerging in the league. Players selected for the game receive compensation, earning $2,575 for their participation, with an added $5,150 bonus for the MVP. Despite dealing with injuries earlier in the season, Caitlin Clark is expected to be fully cleared and ready to play in the All-Star Game.
Of course, All-Star selections always spark debate. Media coverage noted players who some considered “snubs,” mentioning Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx. An opinion piece even specifically debated whether Clark should have drafted Angel Reese.
The WNBA All-Star Weekend Lineup
The 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game is the centerpiece of a packed weekend of events in Indianapolis. The festivities kick off on Friday, July 18th, with the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest and the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge. These events are scheduled to air on ESPN starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. Beyond the on-court competitions, fans can also enjoy WNBA Live presented by Panini. The weekend promises a full celebration of the league’s brightest stars and a preview of the talent shaping the future of the WNBA.
Team Clark is expected to wear distinctive gradient uniforms, while Team Collier will sport black uniforms for the game. The matchup between these captain-selected teams promises to be a competitive and entertaining event, showcasing the incredible talent across the league in the heart of WNBA season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier pick their teams for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game?
Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier were named captains by receiving the most fan votes among All-Star starters. They conducted a two-round draft on July 8, 2025. First, they alternated picks from the eight other All-Star starters, with Clark picking first overall. Then, they alternated picks from the twelve All-Star reserves, with Collier picking first in that round. They built their teams from this pool of players without conference limits.
Who are the players on Team Clark and Team Collier for the 2025 All-Star Game?
Team Clark Roster: Aliyah Boston, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark (Captain), Sabrina Ionescu, Kiki Iriafen, Kelsey Mitchell, Satou Sabally, Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young. Coached by Sandy Brondello.
Team Collier Roster: Paige Bueckers, Napheesa Collier (Captain), Skylar Diggins, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, Courtney Williams. Coached by Cheryl Reeve.
Was there anything unusual that happened during the 2025 WNBA All-Star draft?
Yes, a highly unusual event occurred. After drafting their players, captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier agreed to trade head coaches. Sandy Brondello (New York Liberty coach) was originally assigned to coach Team Collier and Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx coach) to coach Team Clark. However, the captains swapped them, resulting in Brondello coaching Team Clark and Reeve coaching Team Collier. They also attempted, but failed, to make player trades.
Looking Ahead to Indianapolis
With the rosters finalized, excitement builds for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis. Team Clark, featuring the Indiana Fever’s stars and a mix of established and new talent, faces off against Team Collier, built on connections and versatile players. The captain’s strategies and the unique coach swap add intriguing layers to the matchup. Fans can look forward to a weekend celebrating the WNBA’s best, culminating in a must-watch game on July 19th.
