2026 WNBA All-Star Draft: Selections, Strategies and Chemistry

Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon served as honorary general managers for Wednesday’s All-Star draft. A coin flip awarded Cooper the first pick of the starter pool, sending fan-favorite Paige Bueckers to “Team Cooper.” Weatherspoon then selected A’ja Wilson as her opening choice. In the second round, Cooper chose Angel Reese, while Weatherspoon added Rhyne Howard. The draft produced two rosters of 12 players each, with the game slated for July 25 at Chicago’s United Center and the Skills Challenge and 3-point contest set for July 24 at Wintrust Arena.

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“Team Cooper” will be coached by Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces; “Team Weatherspoon” will be led by Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx. Cooper’s starters include Bueckers, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard and Gabby Williams. Weatherspoon’s starters feature Caitlin Clark, Olivia Miles, Aliyah Boston and Jessica Shepard. Reserve selections round out the squads, with notable first-time All-Stars Marina Mabrey, Dominique Malonga, Kiki Iriafen, and Nneka Ogwumike.

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Team Cooper’s 12 players hail from 12 different franchises, giving it no built-in teammate pairings. In contrast, Team Weatherspoon includes three existing duos: Clark and Boston (Fever), Miles and Williams (Lynx), and Howard with Gray (Dream). Analysts note that these pre-existing connections could provide a “clear edge” in an exhibition setting, though the fast-pace format limits the impact of traditional chemistry.

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Weatherspoon emphasized a balanced roster, saying she wanted “playmakers, scorers, rebounders and defenders.” Cooper prioritized scoring and speed, noting the need for “fast…up-and-down-court” play. The All-Star Game will feature a $100,000 prize pool benefitting two Chicago-based groups that promote girls’ participation in sports; the winning team’s partner receives $70,000. USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair Jen Rizzotti reiterated that selection decisions focus on team performance rather than viewership.

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• “But can you score enough points?” — Cynthia Cooper, Hall of Famer

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• “She can shoot the 3, she scores on all three levels, but the most important thing, she is a leader on the floor.” — Cynthia Cooper

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• “Kind of put together a well-balanced basketball team,” — Teresa Weatherspoon

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• “It would be irresponsible for us to talk about her in a way other than how she would impact the play of the team,” — Jen Rizzotti, USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair

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