Anticipation is building for the WNBA All-Star Game roster reveal, set to be drafted by captains Caitlin clark of the Indiana Fever and Napheesa collier of the Minnesota Lynx. As fans speculate who their favorite stars will team up with, experts from The Athletic offered their own fascinating preview, conducting a comprehensive mock draft to simulate the tough decisions facing Clark and Collier. Would they prioritize existing team chemistry, balance positions, or simply select the best available talent?
Stepping into the roles of the captains were The Athletic’s WNBA analysts, Sabreena merchant and Ben Pickman, guided by “No Offseason” podcast host Zena Keita. A virtual coin flip determined the draft order, granting Pickman the first selection while representing “Team Clark.” Merchant took on the mantle of “Team Collier,” ready to build her opposing squad. This exercise offered unique insights into potential draft strategies and highlighted the depth of talent across the league.
Drafting the All-Star Starters
The mock draft commenced with Pickman’s highly anticipated first pick for Team Clark. Deviating slightly from a popular prediction, Pickman opted for Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson, widely considered one of the league’s premier talents. While many anticipate the real Caitlin Clark might choose Fever teammate Aliyah Boston first, Pickman prioritized Wilson’s dominant all-around game as the top player available aside from the captains themselves. This strategic move immediately signaled a focus on securing elite scoring and rebounding from the frontcourt.
Responding for Team Collier, Merchant wasted no time in adding another reigning MVP to her roster, selecting New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart. This pick instantly created a formidable frontcourt duo alongside captain Napheesa Collier, known for their versatility, scoring prowess, and defensive impact.
The second round saw Pickman bolster Team Clark’s perimeter attack by drafting New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu. Citing a trend where guards have frequently won the WNBA All-Star MVP award in recent years, Pickman emphasized Ionescu’s exceptional shooting ability to add offensive firepower.
Merchant’s next choice for Team Collier added a dynamic young star with built-in chemistry: UConn phenom Paige Bueckers, currently playing for the Dallas Wings. By selecting Bueckers, Merchant connected her with real-life captain Napheesa Collier, both former UConn stars under coach Geno Auriemma, a move that added an element of narrative and potential on-court familiarity to her lineup. This selection also highlighted Bueckers’ rapid ascent and readiness to contribute at the All-Star level, coming off strong performances including one against Phoenix where she played alongside several high-performing rookies.
In the third round, Pickman adjusted his strategy after Bueckers, his next target, was taken. He selected Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, valuing her consistent performance and proven track record in All-Star events. Gray’s inclusion further stacked Team Clark’s guard rotation.
Merchant continued to build size and veteran presence for Team Collier, choosing Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike. Merchant noted the composition of the available player pool meant she was largely selecting from frontcourt players after securing Bueckers, leaning into building a powerful interior presence with Ogwumike joining Stewart and Collier.
The starter portion concluded with Pickman selecting Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally for Team Clark. This pick had a significant consequence: according to the mock draft rules (mirroring the real draft format where players not picked by a certain point are assigned), Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston was automatically assigned to Merchant’s Team Collier.
Analyzing the Starting Rosters
Following the starter selections, the initial rosters took shape, each with a distinct identity.
Team Clark, drafted by Pickman, featured:
Caitlin Clark (Captain)
A’ja Wilson
Sabrina Ionescu
Allisha Gray
Satou Sabally
Host Zena Keita observed that Team Clark had assembled a “solid starting lineup” with good balance, featuring elite talent at multiple positions.
Team Collier, drafted by Merchant, comprised:
Napheesa Collier (Captain)
Breanna Stewart
Paige Bueckers
Nneka Ogwumike
Aliyah Boston
Keita commented on Team Collier’s significant size advantage, describing the lineup as having “some big bodies.” Merchant acknowledged this, noting the challenge of the guard/forward pool split in the draft, which left her with many talented post players to choose from after her initial guard pick. This frontcourt group also includes Aliyah Boston, who recently played a key role in the Indiana Fever’s gritty Commissioner’s Cup win, performing effectively even without Caitlin Clark in the lineup and contributing significantly to the team’s ball movement.
Deep Dive into Reserve Selections
Merchant held the first pick in the reserve rounds for Team Collier and focused on addressing her team’s perimeter depth. She selected Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell. Merchant noted the irony of drafting two players associated with Indiana (Mitchell and assigned Aliyah Boston) onto the opposing team of the real Caitlin Clark, hoping it might make up for Clark being elsewhere. Mitchell’s selection also added a proven scorer known for getting buckets, as noted in the mock draft discussion.
Pickman responded for Team Clark by continuing to load up on guards, drafting Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum. Plum, a former All-Star Game MVP, reunited virtually with her Aces teammate A’ja Wilson in this mock game, further enhancing Team Clark’s guard firepower.
Merchant sought more ballhandling and veteran presence for Team Collier, selecting Phoenix Mercury guard Skylar Diggins-Smith. Diggins-Smith’s addition paired her with Nneka Ogwumike, reuniting former Los Angeles Sparks teammates and adding another layer of chemistry and experience to Team Collier’s backcourt.
Adding size and frontcourt presence, Pickman drafted Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese for Team Clark. Reese, known for her rebounding and ability to push the ball in transition, brought a different dimension to Team Clark’s versatile roster. Notably, Reese recently made headlines expressing frustration with WNBA officiating, particularly concerning foul calls, indicating her competitive fire which could translate well to an All-Star setting.
Merchant continued to prioritize players who could get buckets, selecting Seattle Storm guard Courtney Williams. Keita highlighted Williams’ quick foot speed, adding another dynamic guard option for Team Collier.
In a strategic move, Pickman chose Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas for Team Clark. Pickman acknowledged Thomas’s reputation for not prioritizing scoring in All-Star games but valued her immense versatility, rebounding, and playmaking ability. Thomas, like Angel Reese, is known for her capacity to grab a rebound and initiate the offense immediately, giving Team Clark multiple players capable of playing point-forward roles.
Merchant’s next pick for Team Collier was Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, adding another versatile perimeter player known for her defense and ability to score.
Pickman then created another team reunion, drafting Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard to pair with her teammate Allisha Gray on Team Clark. This brought “big guard energy” to Team Clark, as Keita put it.
Merchant responded by keeping former Seattle Storm teammates together, selecting Gabby Williams for Team Collier, who joins Nneka Ogwumike.
The final picks involved three first-time All-Stars: Sonia Citron (New York Liberty), Kayla Thornton (Golden State Valkyries), and Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics). Pickman selected Kayla Thornton, noting her role with the expansion Valkyries and anticipating her desire to “show out” for new fans. Merchant chose Sonia Citron, acknowledging the need to break up the Washington Mystics rookies but specifically mentioning Citron’s defensive ability against Paige Bueckers as a factor in her decision. This left Kiki Iriafen as the final selection, automatically assigned to Team Clark.
The Final Rosters and Strategic Takeaways
The mock draft resulted in two distinct, talented squads, reflecting the varying strategies employed by the experts.
Team Clark (Drafted by Ben Pickman):
Caitlin Clark (Captain)
A’ja Wilson
Sabrina Ionescu
Allisha Gray
Satou Sabally
Kelsey Plum (Reserve)
Angel Reese (Reserve)
Alyssa Thomas (Reserve)
Rhyne Howard (Reserve)
Kayla Thornton (Reserve)
Kiki Iriafen (Reserve – Assigned)
Team Clark, while initially appearing guard-heavy, rounded out with significant size, versatility, and players capable of high-level facilitating and scoring. The core of Wilson and Ionescu provided star power, while players like Sabally, Reese, Thomas, and Iriafen added valuable frontcourt depth and multifaceted skills. This roster seemed built for offensive punch and adaptability.
Team Collier (Drafted by Sabreena Merchant):
Napheesa Collier (Captain)
Breanna Stewart
Paige Bueckers
Nneka Ogwumike
Aliyah Boston (Assigned)
Kelsey Mitchell (Reserve)
Skylar Diggins-Smith (Reserve)
Courtney Williams (Reserve)
Jackie Young (Reserve)
Gabby Williams (Reserve)
Sonia Citron (Reserve)
Team Collier emerged as a physically imposing team with exceptional frontcourt talent in Stewart, Ogwumike, Boston, and Collier herself. Merchant successfully bolstered the perimeter with a strong group of veteran guards in the reserve rounds, adding ballhandling, scoring, and defensive tenacity. The inclusion of Paige Bueckers, a player highlighted in recent power rankings for her remarkable talent and efficiency even among WNBA veterans, added a youthful spark. This roster appeared balanced between dominant size and experienced guard play, potentially setting the stage for a highly competitive game.
The mock draft by The Athletic experts provided a compelling look at the strategic choices facing Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier. From prioritizing MVPs and proven All-Stars to considering chemistry and positional needs, the exercise showcased the depth of talent in the WNBA and generated excitement for the actual All-Star draft event. As the real captains prepare their picks, the decisions made in this mock draft offer a fascinating blueprint of how two elite teams could be constructed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of The Athletic’s WNBA All-Star mock draft?
The Athletic experts Ben Pickman (representing Team Clark) and Sabreena Merchant (representing Team Collier) conducted a mock draft to simulate the WNBA All-Star selection process. Team Clark’s roster included A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Allisha Gray, Satou Sabally, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Alyssa Thomas, Rhyne Howard, Kayla Thornton, and Kiki Iriafen (assigned), alongside captain Caitlin Clark. Team Collier featured Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, Nneka Ogwumike, Aliyah Boston (assigned), Kelsey Mitchell, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Courtney Williams, Jackie Young, Gabby Williams, and Sonia Citron, with captain Napheesa Collier.
How did The Athletic experts approach their mock draft selections?
The experts employed different strategies. Ben Pickman focused on securing high-scoring guards and versatile forwards for Team Clark, balancing star power with adaptable players like Alyssa Thomas and Angel Reese. Sabreena Merchant, drafting for Team Collier, prioritized building a physically dominant frontcourt early with players like Breanna Stewart and Nneka Ogwumike, then strategically adding veteran guards in the reserve rounds to ensure adequate perimeter play and ballhandling. Both also considered player chemistry and track records in All-Star settings.
Which WNBA experts conducted this mock All-Star draft?
The mock WNBA All-Star draft featured in The Athletic’s “No Offseason” podcast was conducted by WNBA experts Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant. They were hosted by Zena Keita, who facilitated the draft process and provided commentary on the roster constructions as the selections unfolded.
