The stage is set for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis. Fan favorites and captains Caitlin clark of the Indiana Fever and Napheesa collier of the Minnesota Lynx have officially drafted their teams. The highly anticipated draft event, broadcast live on ESPN, saw captains make strategic — and sometimes unexpected — selections from the league’s top players. While Clark built a roster featuring established superstars and her own teammates, one notable decision immediately captured headlines: her choice to pass on selecting Chicago Sky forward Angel reese.
Captains Set the Tone
Caitlin Clark earned captain honors by leading the league in fan votes. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier finished second, securing her spot as the other team captain. This voting result gave Clark the crucial first pick in the “playground-style” draft held Tuesday night. The draft process involved captains taking turns selecting from pools of eight starters and 12 reserves voted into the game. With the All-Star showcase scheduled for July 19th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever’s home court, Clark had a unique opportunity to build a roster for her local fans.
Clark’s strategy, by her own admission, leaned towards “vibes” and assembling a “fun” team, especially prioritizing her Indiana Fever teammates. Collier, on the other hand, focused on drafting current and former teammates from her “Unrivaled” 3-on-3 league and her college program at UConn. These distinct approaches shaped the initial picks and set the stage for the draft’s unfolding drama.
First Picks and Strategic Moves
Holding the first overall pick, Caitlin Clark wasted no time in fulfilling a tease she had made previously. She selected her Indiana Fever teammate, center Aliyah Boston, with the very first pick among the starters. This pick solidified the presence of Fever talent on Clark’s squad early on.
Napheesa Collier followed by selecting New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, notably mentioning their connection through the Unrivaled league they co-founded. Clark then stayed in New York, drafting Liberty star guard Sabrina Ionescu. Collier countered by adding Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray to her starting five, another player with Unrivaled ties.
The draft continued with Clark adding three-time league MVP A’ja Wilson from the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally. Collier rounded out her starting lineup by selecting Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike and Dallas Wings rookie sensation Paige Bueckers, the number one overall pick in this year’s draft. Clark specifically mentioned not taking Bueckers with her final starter pick, noting she already had two guards in her planned starting five, including herself.
The Unselected Rival: Angel Reese Heads to Team Collier
The most talked-about moment of the draft centered on Angel Reese. Despite their prominent history and the widespread fan interest in their dynamic, Caitlin Clark repeatedly passed on selecting the Chicago Sky forward. This allowed Napheesa Collier to eventually draft Reese as a reserve pick (13th overall).
The competitive history between Clark and Reese traces back to their college careers, notably the 2023 national championship game where Reese’s LSU defeated Clark’s Iowa. Their interactions during and after that game fueled a narrative of intense rivalry that has carried into their WNBA seasons. This ongoing dynamic between the two high-profile rookies, particularly their matchups between the Fever and the Sky, has become a major storyline in the league.
Clark’s decision not to draft Reese immediately sparked significant reaction online. Fans took to social media, expressing surprise and speculating whether the choice was deliberate, perhaps influenced by their perceived rivalry or Clark simply prioritizing other players who fit her desired roster composition. While Clark focused on teammates and other strategic fits, Collier’s selection of Reese ensures the highly publicized rivalry will continue on the All-Star stage.
When Collier drafted Reese, she affectionately referred to her as “Mebounds.” This moniker is tied to Reese’s recently trademarked term, which she has embraced and used for a merchandise line. Originally used to mock Reese for her hustle in grabbing her own missed shots and putting them back up, Reese positively repurposed the term. Part of the proceeds from her “Mebound” merchandise supports the Angel C. Reese Foundation, which focuses on combating cyberbullying.
Filling Out the Rosters
As the draft moved to reserves, Collier had the first pick and selected her Minnesota Lynx teammate, guard Courtney Williams, reinforcing her strategy of familiarity. Caitlin Clark followed suit, adding another Fever player to her roster with dynamic guard Kelsey Mitchell, her backcourt partner in the Fever’s starting five.
Subsequent reserve picks saw Collier add Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins before officially drafting Angel Reese. Clark then selected Washington Mystics rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. Collier continued building her bench with Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum and Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard – notably, two other players who have had contentious interactions with Clark throughout the season.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas also joined Team Collier. Caitlin Clark completed her roster with Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young and Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton and Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams. With three players selected (Clark, Boston, Mitchell), the Indiana Fever tied the Seattle Storm for the most representatives heading to the All-Star game this year.
Post-Draft Twists: Trades and Coach Swaps
Following the conclusion of the draft, captains were given the opportunity to make trades to fine-tune their rosters. Caitlin Clark attempted to trade Satou Sabally to Team Collier for Breanna Stewart, citing a need for different sizing on her team. However, Napheesa Collier rejected this offer.
Collier then counter-proposed trading Stewart for Aliyah Boston. Clark’s response was a firm and immediate refusal, emphatically stating, “Absolutely not. Not happening.” Ultimately, no player trades materialized between the teams.
While player trades stalled, the captains did agree to swap coaches. Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx, initially assigned to coach Team Clark, was traded to lead Team Collier. Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty, originally slated to coach Team Collier, moved to coach Team Clark. This coach swap was confirmed live on air by ESPN broadcaster Malika Andrews on behalf of the league, adding another unique element to the All-Star preparations.
Anticipation Builds for Indianapolis
With the teams now finalized, anticipation is mounting for the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis. The festivities kick off on July 18th with the skills competition and three-point contest. The main event, the All-Star Game itself, is scheduled for July 19th.
The draft results have set the stage for exciting matchups, but none is likely to draw more attention than Caitlin Clark facing off against Angel Reese. Their placement on opposing teams ensures the continuation of their compelling rivalry on one of the league’s biggest stages, promising significant interest and potential “fireworks” during the game. While some notable players, such as Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith of the league-leading Minnesota Lynx, were considered All-Star snubs, the drafted rosters feature a mix of established stars and rising talent ready to compete.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the WNBA All-Star draft?
The 2025 WNBA All-Star draft concluded with captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier selecting their teams for the game on July 19th in Indianapolis. Clark, with the first pick, drafted her Fever teammate Aliyah Boston and later Kelsey Mitchell. Collier drafted Angel Reese as a reserve pick, setting up a highly anticipated matchup between Clark and Reese. The full rosters are now set for both Team Clark and Team Collier.
Why didn’t Caitlin Clark draft Angel Reese?
Caitlin Clark passed on selecting Angel Reese multiple times throughout the draft process. While Clark stated her strategy was based on “vibes” and prioritizing her Fever teammates like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, many observers believe her decision relates to the well-documented rivalry between the two players dating back to college. Angel Reese was ultimately drafted by the other captain, Napheesa Collier, ensuring they will play against each other in the All-Star Game.
Who are the captains and how were teams selected?
Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier served as captains for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, based on finishing first and second, respectively, in fan voting. They selected their teams through a live “playground-style” alternating draft broadcast on ESPN. Captains picked from a pool of eight starters and 12 reserves voted into the game, building their rosters for the July 19th event at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
