Full Breakdown
Obama Surprises WNBA All-Stars at Practice in Chicago
7/24/2026, 11:27:26 PM
Core Event
On July 24, former President Barack Obama entered the basketball court at the newly opened Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago to greet the league’s 22 All-Stars during their pre-game practice. He addressed the players, praised the growth of women’s basketball, and spent roughly ten minutes shaking hands, posing for photos, and sharing brief remarks with stars such as Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Jonquel Jones, and Angel Reese.
Background & Context
Obama first attended a WNBA game in 2010, sitting courtside with his daughter Sasha. The Obama Presidential Center, opened to the public on June 18, includes a 60,000-square-foot athletic building with a regulation-size basketball court—the first professional sport to use that venue.
Timeline
- June 18 – Public opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
- July 23 – WNBA All-Star schedule released.
- July 24 – Obama’s surprise appearance at All-Star practice.
- July 25 – All-Star Game at the United Center.
Data & Statistics
- 22 WNBA All-Stars participated.
- The athletic building spans 60,000 sq ft.
- Obama received a No. 44 All-Star jersey, later autographed.
- First full-scale professional basketball event on the center’s court.
Official Statements & Responses
Obama told the athletes, “All of you are extraordinary and I could not be a bigger fan,” adding that the league’s recent surge in popularity “makes me happy.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the visit symbolized the league’s 30-year anniversary and noted the All-Stars were the first sports league to play in the Obama Center.
On-the-Ground Reports
- Angel Reese secured a selfie with the former president, calling the interaction “super cool.”
- League officials said Obama’s presence underscored the sport’s growing cultural relevance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “All of you are extraordinary and I could not be a bigger fan,” — Barack Obama
- “It’s fitting for our 30th anniversary that we’re here as the first sports league to play in the Obama Presidential Center,” — Cathy Engelbert
- “We really were just talking hoops. You can tell he’s always been a hooper. It doesn’t leave his blood,” — Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president
- “He’s a role model for me and it was nice to be able to have that moment,” — Jonquel Jones
What’s Next
The All-Star Game is set for July 25 at Chicago’s United Center. Obama indicated he would miss the game due to a prior engagement with his wife, Michelle Obama. The league will continue its weekend of events, including a media and innovation summit at the Obama Center focused on the future of women’s sports.
