Full Breakdown
Angel Reese Decries All-Star Starter Snub as Disrespect to Atlanta Dream
7/4/2026, 7:41:48 AM
The All-Star Starter Selection and Dream’s Omission
The WNBA announced the ten starters for the 2026 All-Star Game on Thursday. Guards: Paige Bueckers (Dallas), Olivia Miles (Minnesota), Caitlin Clark (Indiana), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana). Frontcourt: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Jessica Shepard (Dallas), Aliyah Boston (Indiana), Gabby Williams (Golden State), Natasha Howard (Minnesota). No Atlanta Dream player was named a starter despite the team’s 12-8 record, a tie atop the Eastern Conference.
Voting System and Official Process
All-Star starters are determined by a weighted vote: fan ballots count for 50 % of a player’s total, while media and player ballots each contribute 25 %. The WNBA says the four guards and six frontcourt players with the highest weighted scores become starters.
Player Statistics Supporting the Dream’s Case
Angel Reese entered the voting leading the league with 11.6 rebounds per game and averaging a double-double (14.8 points, 11.6 rebounds), ranking seventh among frontcourt players. Guard Rhyne Howard, league leader in steals (2.5 per game) and averaging 18.6 points, was fifth-highest among guards. Allisha Gray, a top three-point shooter with 18.4 points per game, ranked sixth among guards. Both Howard and Gray placed within the top 13 scorers and were among the league’s top three in steals, with teammate Jordin Canada ranking first and second in steals.
Reese’s Statements and Team Advocacy
Reese addressed reporters after the Mystics game, saying the omission was not a slight but a broader disrespect to her teammates. She highlighted Howard and Gray’s contributions and urged Dream supporters to increase voter turnout. Reese praised the players who were named starters while noting the shock of the Dream’s exclusion.
Criticism of Fan Voting Dynamics
Reese’s comments highlight a critique that the fan-driven component can disadvantage teams outside larger markets. By noting that Dream fans “didn’t galvanize around their players,” she points to an imbalance in voter engagement that may have amplified the snub. Analysts note Howard’s high media and player scores contrasted with a lower fan ranking, showing how divergent voting blocs can affect outcomes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I expect to be disrespected,” — Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream forward
- “For those two, though, I think they work so hard, and they put a lot of work in. The reason why we're where we are is because of those two.” — Angel Reese
- “For us not to have anyone was just a slap in the face, but they’re not going to say anything. I am.” — Angel Reese
- “Congrats to the ones that were nominated, they were well-deserved,” — Angel Reese
What’s Next for the Dream and All-Star Reserves
The league will announce the All-Star reserves later this week, and Reese expects the Dream to be represented among them. Atlanta’s upcoming conference schedule offers further chances to solidify its standing, while the voting discussion may shape future fan-engagement strategies.
