The 2025 AT&T WNBA all-star Game rosters are set! Team clark and Team collier have officially been drafted, promising an exciting midsummer showdown in Indianapolis. Captains Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx took center stage on ESPN to reveal their selections, building teams from the league’s top talent voted as starters and reserves.
Fans eagerly anticipated who the league’s brightest stars would pick to join them on the court. The draft unfolded on July 8, 2025, culminating in two formidable rosters ready to compete at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, July 19. This highly anticipated event serves as the centerpiece for a weekend celebrating the WNBA’s best.
How the 2025 WNBA All-Star Draft Unfolded
Becoming an All-Star captain is a significant honor, earned by finishing as the top two vote-getters among starters in the weighted balloting (combining fan, player, and media votes). Caitlin Clark led the way with a record-setting 1,293,526 fan votes, securing her the first pick overall. Napheesa Collier finished second in fan voting with 1,176,020 votes, earning her the role of the opposing captain. While starters were chosen through the weighted system, the league’s coaches selected the All-Star reserves.
The draft process was straightforward but strategic. Clark and Collier drafted their teams from the pool of the eight other starters first. Once all starters were assigned to a team, they moved on to selecting from the 12 chosen reserves. Captains made their picks without regard to conference affiliation or player position, aiming to build the best possible squads.
As the top vote-getter, Clark held the crucial first selection in the initial round for starters. Collier received the first pick in the second round for reserves. They alternated picks throughout each round until every player was chosen, setting the stage for the East Coast-West Coast rivalry taking a backseat to Team Clark vs. Team Collier.
Captains’ Strategies and Notable Picks
Both captains approached the draft with distinct strategies. Caitlin Clark, playing in front of a home crowd in Indianapolis, made it clear her priority was teaming up with her Indiana Fever teammates. She humorously mentioned building her team on “vibes” but was determined to have Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell by her side. Clark delivered on her promise, selecting Boston with the coveted first overall pick. Later, in the reserves round, she used her second pick to add Mitchell to Team Clark. This marks the second year in a row the Fever boast three All-Stars.
Napheesa Collier, meanwhile, leaned into her strong basketball connections. Her strategy focused on uniting players from her past and present teams, particularly those she competes with in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league and her UConn Huskies alma mater. With the second pick overall, Collier drafted New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart, highlighting their Unrivaled collaboration. Her reserve picks continued this theme, including Lynx teammate Courtney Williams with the first reserve selection, and later adding Skylar Diggins and fellow UConn product Paige Bueckers.
Key draft moments included Clark picking Sabrina Ionescu after Stewart, potentially forming a high-powered shooting backcourt. Clark reportedly bypassed selecting Paige Bueckers with her final starter pick to avoid a small starting lineup, allowing Collier to snatch up the dynamic guard. Collier also notably drafted Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, adding another exciting young talent to Team Collier. Clark brought both Washington Mystics rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, onto her squad.
Team Rosters Finalized
Following the intensive draft process, the full 2025 WNBA All-Star Game rosters were locked in. Each captain selected a mix of established veterans and exciting newcomers, promising a thrilling showcase of talent.
Team Clark Roster:
This squad, led by captain Caitlin Clark, features a blend of shooting, interior presence, and versatility.
Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) – Guard
Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever) – Frontcourt
Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty) – Guard
A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) – Frontcourt
Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury) – Frontcourt
Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever) – Guard
Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm) – Guard ^
Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics) – Guard ^
Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics) – Frontcourt ^
Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces) – Guard
Kayla Thornton (Golden State Valkyries) – Frontcourt ^
( denotes captain, ^ denotes first-time All-Star)
Team Collier Roster:
Captain Napheesa Collier’s team boasts powerful frontcourt players and dynamic guards, drawing heavily from her connections.
Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) – Frontcourt
Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty) – Frontcourt
Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream) – Guard
Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm) – Frontcourt
Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings) – Guard ^
Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx) – Guard
Skylar Diggins (Seattle Storm) – Guard
Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) – Frontcourt ^
Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury) – Frontcourt
Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks) – Guard
Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream) – Guard
( denotes captain, ^ denotes first-time All-Star)
Several rising stars are making their first All-Star appearances this year, including rookies Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese, alongside Gabby Williams and Kayla Thornton. These newcomers add fresh energy to the veteran-laden event.
An Unconventional Coach Trade
Perhaps the most surprising moment after the players were drafted involved the coaching staffs. In an unusual move, Clark and Collier agreed to trade the coaches who were initially assigned to their teams. Cheryl Reeve and the Minnesota Lynx staff were traded to guide Team Collier, while Sandy Brondello and the New York Liberty staff will now lead Team Clark. Clark reportedly joked about breaking rules, but the WNBA greenlit the unique swap, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup.
Team Clark will take the court in gradient uniforms, while Team Collier will sport black uniforms, making them easily identifiable during the game.
More Than Just the Game
The 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game is the peak event in a jam-packed weekend. Festivities in Indianapolis begin on Friday, July 18, featuring the WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest and the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge. Both events are scheduled to air live on ESPN starting at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also experience WNBA Live presented by Panini throughout the weekend, adding to the fan-focused atmosphere.
Players participating in the game are compensated $2,575, with the Most Valuable Player earning an additional $5,150 bonus. While discussion around potential player “snubs” like Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith continues in some corners, the drafted rosters represent the choices made by the captains from the selected All-Stars. The unique blend of talent, captain’s strategies, and even a coach trade sets the stage for a memorable 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier pick their WNBA All-Star teams?
Captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier drafted their teams from the pool of players voted as All-Star starters and reserves. They selected from the eight available starters first, followed by the twelve reserves, alternating picks in each round. Clark, as the top fan vote recipient, had the first overall pick, while Collier had the first pick among reserves. Their strategies included Clark prioritizing drafting her Indiana Fever teammates for the home crowd and Collier focusing on players from her Unrivaled league and UConn connections.
When and where is the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game happening?
The 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The game will be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, home of the Indiana Fever. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET, and it will be broadcast live on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+. Additional All-Star weekend events like the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge will occur on Friday, July 18.
Who made the 2025 WNBA All-Star rosters for Team Clark and Team Collier?
The final rosters, drafted by the captains, include: Team Clark: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Satou Sabally, Kelsey Mitchell, Gabby Williams, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Jackie Young, and Kayla Thornton. Team Collier: Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Allisha Gray, Nneka Ogwumike, Paige Bueckers, Courtney Williams, Skylar Diggins, Angel Reese, Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Plum, and Rhyne Howard. The teams also swapped coaches after the draft, with Cheryl Reeve coaching Team Collier and Sandy Brondello coaching Team Clark.
