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2025 WNBA All-Star reserves announced: Reese, Plum join roster as snubs abound
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- 2025 WNBA All-Star reserves announced: Reese, Plum join roster as snubs abound
The starters for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game were revealed at the start of July, with Indiana 's Caitlin Clark and Minnesota 's Napheesa Collier named captains. As captains, those two have the unfortunate task of having to pick between the best players across the league, drafting their teams to face off against one another, and the full rosters have finally been revealed.
The reserves for the game were announced on Sunday, July 6, including several All-Star Game vets and a few first-timers. Among the reserves, there are four players who will be participating in the WNBA All-Star Game for the first time in their careers: Washington's Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron , Golden State's Kayla Thornton , and Seattle 's Gabby Williams .
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This year's roster really is a celebration of the league. Despite 2025 marking the league's first expansion sine 2008, nearly every team in the league is represented in this game, with only the Connecticut Sun lacking a player in the contest.
Here are the full reserves for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.
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2025 WNBA All-Star Reserves
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G Sonia Citron , Washington Mystics (first selection)
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G Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm
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G Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever
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G Gabby Williams , Seattle Storm (first selection)
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G Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
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F Kiki Iriafen , Washington Mystics (first selection)
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F Kayla Thornton , Golden State Valkyries (first selection)
2025 WNBA All-Star Game Starters
Captains:
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G Caitlin Clark , Indiana Fever
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F Napheesa Collier , Minnesota Lynx
Starters:
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G Paige Bueckers , Dallas Wings (first selection)
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G Allisha Gray , Atlanta Dream
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F A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
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F Breanna Stewart , New York Liberty
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F Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
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F Nneka Ogwumike , Seattle Storm
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F Satou Sabally , Phoenix Mercury
WNBA All-Star Game snubs
As is the case with any selective process, there is bound to be a few worthy athletes left off the teams. 2025 is no different. Here are a few of the players that had a worthy All-Star case, but came up just short:
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G Kayla McBride , Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx boast the best record in the WNBA currently, and McBride has been a huge reason why. The four-time All-Star is shooting over 40% from three-point range for the second season in a row. Yes, her playstyle can lead to some duds if she isn't hitting her shots. After all, she's failed to record double-digit points in any game she doesn't hit a three in. That said, her ability to expand the floor combined with her solid playmaking have made her one of the most feared players in the league for years. When she gets hot, she can turn a game on its head.
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F Alanna Smith , Minnesota Lynx
You don't get the best record in the WNBA without having a myriad of talent, and Alanna Smith is living proof. Though she could be considered the fourth scoring option on her own team, that doesn't take away from her efficiency on the floor, shooting 48.6% from the field, all while providing solid glass work as well.
Smith always seems to come up big in the most clutch moments, providing a huge burst of energy in close contests. Two that come to mind are the early season affairs against Phoenix and Seattle. Minnesota won those games by a combined eight points, and Smith's 35 points across those games were massive for the Lynx. In fact, across the six Lynx games decided by single digits this season, Smith is averaging 14.2 points per game. Big time players make big time plays in big time moments, and Smith is the embodiment of that statement.
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C Jonquel Jones , New York Liberty
She's 6-foot-6, one of the best defenders in the WNBA, and is shooting over 43% from three-point territory. How is this woman not on the All-Star roster?
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Well, the reason is availability. Jones has played in only nine games this year. She's been fantastic in those games, but obviously, absence from games plays a large role in making these rosters. Her best chance to participate was likely the fan vote. After all, Caitlin Clark has played only nine games this season and is an All-Star captain. Alas, Jones' spectacular season is going unappreciated currently.
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G Brittney Sykes , Washington Mystics
Sykes has been a defensive wizard her entire career. She's been named to the All-Defensive 1st or 2nd team in four of the last five seasons and has finished top-three in Defensive Player of the Year voting twice. However, in 2025, she's elevated her offensive game, averaging over 17 points per game, a huge four-point jump from her previous career-best. That type of improvement could have warranted more All-Star buzz.
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F/C Azurá Stevens , Las Vegas Aces
Stevens remains a high-end rebounder with solid scoring upside. She won't light up the score sheet most nights, but her impact cannot be understated. The Aces have leaned on her a lot to carry the offensive load, and Stevens delivers more often than not, putting up consistent numbers throughout the season. She's only had four performances with fewer than four field goals made this season. For someone her size, she's also a great free throw shooter, hitting shots from the charity stripe at over a 70% rate.
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F Brionna Jones , Atlanta Dream
A three-time All-Star, Jones has maintained her high level of play despite changing teams for the first time in her career this offseason. The Atlanta Dream already have two elite scorers though, which has made Jones appear as a bit of an afterthought behind Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. Still, Jones remains arguably the best third option in the WNBA, offering solid rebounding and elite efficiency around the rim on offense, ranking top-15 in the WNBA in efficiency this season.
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When is the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game?
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, airing at 5:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home of the Indiana Fever.
Captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will draft their teams on Tuesday, July 8 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA 2025 All-Star Game reserves: Plum, Reese added as snubs abound
