The WNBA announced the 12 reserves for the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game on July 7, 2026, featuring Nneka Ogwumike’s 11th selection. The game is scheduled for July 25 at the United Center in Chicago, where legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as honorary general managers.
Ogwumike and the 2026 All-Star Reserve Roster
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike leads the reserve class, marking her 11th career All-Star appearance. According to the WNBA, this selection ties Ogwumike with Diana Taurasi for the second-most selections in league history, trailing only Sue Bird’s 13.
The reserves were chosen by the league’s 15 head coaches, who each cast votes for three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players regardless of position. Coaches were prohibited from voting for their own players.
The reserve pool includes a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent:
- Frontcourt: Nneka Ogwumike (Sparks), Jonquel Jones (Liberty), Kiki Iriafen (Mystics), Dominique Malonga (Storm), and Angel Reese (Dream).
- Guards: Kelsey Plum (Sparks), Jackie Young (Aces), Allisha Gray (Dream), Rhyne Howard (Dream), Courtney Williams (Lynx), Marina Mabrey (Tempo), and Sonia Citron (Mystics).
Jonquel Jones earned her sixth selection, while Plum and Young both secured their fifth. Newcomers to the All-Star stage include Marina Mabrey and Dominique Malonga, who will make their debuts. Second-year players Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen both earned their second consecutive selections.
Game Logistics and the Draft Format
The 2026 event coincides with the league’s 30th season celebration. Instead of traditional conference-based teams, WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will act as honorary general managers. They are tasked with drafting their respective rosters from the total pool of 22 All-Stars, which includes the 12 reserves and 10 starters.
The game will be broadcast on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET on July 25. The coverage includes a special edition of WNBA Countdown at 8 p.m. ET and a WNBA Postgame show at 10:30 p.m. ET. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will name replacements if any selected player is unable to participate.
Stephanie White’s Criticism of WNBA Officiating
While the league celebrates its All-Star festivities, internal tensions are rising regarding game officiating. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White recently blasted what she described as egregious officiating following a narrow 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty.
The conflict peaked in the final seconds of the game. The Liberty secured the lead via two Sabrina Ionescu free throws after a foul was called on Lexie Hull. The victory was sealed when Natasha Cloud stripped Caitlin Clark of the ball—a play White and the Fever staff believed should have been whistled as a foul.
“I thought she got fouled. I think it’s pretty egregious what’s been happening to us the last few games,” White said in a postgame news conference. “And I might be able to understand it if we were just chuckin’ 3s, but we’re not. We’re attacking the rim. And the disrespect right now for our team has been pretty unbelievable.”
Stephanie White, Head Coach, Indiana Fever
The Data Behind the Fever’s Foul Struggle
White’s frustration is backed by early-season statistics, though the numbers present a complex picture. In the first four games of the year, the Fever have been called for 84 fouls, the second-highest total in the WNBA. However, they have also drawn 82 fouls, ranking third in the league.
Despite the high volume of fouls both given and received, White argues that the lack of consistency is the primary issue. She expressed doubt regarding the league’s internal grievance process for coaches.
“There’s a system to making sure that we can send stuff in and communicate our grievances, so to speak. I don’t know that I ever feel like the system works,” White said. “We’re not looking for a change, we’re just looking for consistency.”
Stephanie White, Head Coach, Indiana Fever
White acknowledged that the Fever struggled in the final quarter, citing costly turnovers and missed opportunities against Boston. Nevertheless, she maintained that the team must find ways to win despite the officials.
The Fever now face a tight schedule with an away game against the Washington Mystics on Wednesday and a home game against the Connecticut Sun on Friday. These matchups arrive as the WNBA continues to monitor public comments from coaches, as the league has a history of fining players and staff for disparaging referees.
Find more reporting in our Sport section.
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