What goes into WNBA All-Star ballot picks?
Natalie Esquire and Terrika Foster-Brasby unpack their 2026 WNBA All-Star ballot picks, including their reasoning behind them, why A'ja Wilson is No. 1 and the case for Jess Shephard.
Video Transcript
Let's reveal who I selected- Ooh on my All-Star ballot.
Come over to the dark side, Natalie.
Come over to the dark side.
So these were my, my, my picks.
and again, we're only selecting starters.
Yes.
And so that ends up being 10 players.
You re-select four back court players and, a six front court.
So here they are, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and I have them at the top in terms of, like, my front court list, 'cause, like, to me, they were locks.
Yeah.
Okay?
And then everyone else I have here that are the, the first or the front court players, Aliyah Boston, Angel Reese, Natasha Howard, and Jessica Shepard.
Okay?
And then we have the back court players.
And for mine, I have Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles, Caitlin Clark, and Rhyne Howard.
So this, this is my ballot.
Guys, this is not in any particular order, okay?
Just these are, these are the players that I selected.
And, it should be noted that with, Rhyne Howard, that might be the only place our ballots differ.
I was just gonna say.
Let's take a look at Torija's ballot.
So if you look at my ballot, we have almost the identical same exact selections for our front court and back court players, but the main difference would be, I did select Alysha Gray and you selected Rhyne Howard.
And honestly, that might have been one of the conversations that I went back and forth with.
Like, I literally submitted my ballot 10 minutes before it was due because there were a couple of places that I just kept struggling back and forth, and I said, "You can't go wrong with either one, but..." And I'm su- we'll get into specifics momentarily, but I went with Alysha Gray.
And either way, I feel like they're both gonna be All-Stars.
They are both gonna be All-Stars.
And so, I mean, let, let, let's talk about it.
And wh- I, you know, l- again, I wish, I, I, I want fans to understand that this process for us is not easy.
It is hard.
I think they think we're just like, "Okay."
I spend hours agonizing over my ballot, looking at stats, looking at numbers, in addition to watching games.
And I wanna say that- Yeah because, like, I al- I see this commentary all the time like, "I really wish voters would watch games.
It should be a cr- criteria of the league."
And I'm like, okay, aside from how would that even be enforced, why do you think we don't watch games when we are live tweeting half the time 'cause we're in attendance at games?
People are sideline reporters and analysts on the game.
You have, us live tweeting games that we are not in person at.
What makes you think we are not watching games?
Just because your fav didn't get picked does not mean that we are not watching games.
Just because I don't see the game the same way that you do- you assume that I didn't watch it.
There is nothing that gri- like, that and the you don't know basketball, those are the two things that grind my gears more than anything.
Fam, let me assure you, we watch the ga- I can't speak for everybody.
Torija and Natalie absolutely watch the games.
I have days that I literally do nothing but study teams, study tendencies, study what they do.
I am an analyst on a game.
I have to watch the game.
So y'all can please stop with that commentary.
It's ridiculous.
It's very ridiculous.
It's ridiculous.
And, many of the Again, we're not speaking for people, but many of the voters who I know and I respect, they're doing the same- They're doing the same thing.
And so, but, you know, I get it.
Can we also add really quickly that those, there are many who I look sometimes and I say I won't say there's many, but there's a few who I look sometimes and I'm like, "How did you get that?
How did you come up with that?"
And it's not a criticism.
It's more so, like, I wanna understand your perspective on how you- Yes, absolutely came up with this, because I saw it something a little differently.
Absolutely.
So I am not necessarily always criticizing when other voters don't have the same ballot that I do, but I do ask questions, 'cause I do wanna know how we may have been so far apart on something sometimes.
I haven't really seen much of that this year.
No.
But in years past, I have seen that.
And this year it was critically important for, which I'm sure why you agonize like I agonized, is because with the new CBA, there is a different monetary amount, there are different stipulations that come along with being named an All-Star.
And the one thing that I do is respect these players, and I respect their hustle, and I respect how much they work to get where they are, and I don't wanna just disrespect all of the things that they've done by just putting anybody down as an All-Star.
Like, no, this means something to y'all, and I don't wanna be responsible.
I don't want it on my conscience, so I do my best to get it right.
Absolutely.
Well, look, let's, let's dig into some of the players that we selected, right?
And I, I Let's start with A'ja Wilson, the best player in the world, right?
A no-brainer to pick her.
Does that need an explanation?
It, it really doesn't, but I just think it's important, like, we just Let's, let's make sure we're showing you the stats, the numbers, right?
She is leading the league in scoring, okay?
She's, damn near averaging a double double with points and rebounds.
She's still giving you 1.6 in steals, two, two blocks.
I mean, come on.
Yeah.
Right?
Leading the league there as well.
She's shooting over 50% from the field.
And this year she decided to add in the three-pointer, and she's at 40%, okay?
Like, you're big, shooting 40% from three.
And yes, it's on low volume, but still.
And then her free throws are over 80%.
I mean, A'ja Wilson is A'ja Wilson.
A'ja Wilson is A'ja Wilson.
And I, I just, I just don't think there needs to be any explanation as to why you select A'ja Wilson if Honestly, she was my first pick.
Exactly.
You wanna handle Breanna Stewart for us?
Absolutely, because Stewie is playing like an MVP this season.
And granted, she's been an MVP before, so it's not anything differently.
But I just feel like after the season she had in unrivaled, she is literally keeping that same in- in, that same energy, averaging 19.2 points per game, eight and a half boards per game, and the defense, as we talked about in a different segment, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks.
One thing that Stewie has always been able to do is shoot the rock, so her shooting 44.7% from the field is nothing that we are unfamiliar with.
And then of course 86% from the free throw line.
She has been carrying this New York team literally the majority of the season because of the injuries that they have dealt with.
She's literally been that person that you say, "No matter what, we know Stewie is gonna pop out."
And her three ball wasn't falling like it had been previ- in previous years, and she acknowledged that, but she's also trying and continuing to get better.
To me, again, a no-brainer for Stewie.
Definitely a no-brainer.
I would say after those two- There was conversation to be had about- Yeah who the final four spots would go to in the front court.
And so we landed with the same players, and we'll talk about others that we considered, but we landed with the, the, with the same four players.
Yeah.
And so I'm, I'm gonna start with Aliyah Boston, another Gamecock, okay?
Aliyah, again, look at, look at the numbers.
They're, they're self-explanatory.
she's I, I always think it's, really important when we talk about the bigs and, you know, how they're shooting, also adding in a little three-point in there, you know?
Yeah.
And she's shooting, over 40%, field goal 50%, right?
Free throws 85%.
And we know she is doing the work defensively.
I believe right now she might be the Fever's only plus defender, right?
I mean, she's like, I, I, I could be wrong, but she's, she's obviously their best defender.
And, you know, she is, of their big three, she's doing the work on the court.
We can see, you know, obviously her steals, her blocks, everything.
And so, you know, she's averaging over 17 points.
I, I thought this was a, a no-brainer pick.
And, and even though the Fever could probably be a little higher in the standings, the thing about the standings are that, right, after one and two, like three through like seven- Yeah they all have like the same number of losses.
They're like a half game away.
So it's, it's not real separation.
Right.
So all those teams are probably gonna like move around, you know?
And I'm not really one that thinks wins and losses matter when it comes to the All-Star.
The All-Star Game is, outside of popularity, it's really a individual accolade.
Like, you could be having an All-Star season on a team that's playing poorly, and I know that like that's different when we talk about end of the season awards, AVP or Most Improved.
I think that's a different conversation where you have to look at how a team has fared.
But All-Star, you could have a bomb season on a team that sucks.
So at the end of the day, I don't really look at, I don't really look at wins and losses.
But I'll tell you a player that doesn't have to worry about wins and losses, and that's Angel Reese.
As it relates to her play this season, she is leading the league in rebounding.
She is playing beyond I think what even she may have imagined when it become, when it comes to her defensive skill and her, and her ability to really cash in around the rim.
Averaging 14.8 points and 11.6 rebound.
Her steals look different.
The way that she has just fit in and gelled with this Atlanta team has just been different, and I think it's been a benefit.
And as you and I have discussed previously, this is even before Bri Jones has made her return back to the lineup.
So I love that Angel Reese, is getting the love and recognition.
And to me, just knowing how well she's played defensively and what her rebounding ability looks like, there was no way I could leave her out of my ballot.
Yeah, she's averaging a double double.
And also, like, even though I know Atlanta, right before the Commissioner Cup game, they, they, they lost three games, so they, they've dropped a few games.
But, Angel Reese, she's Aside from I mean, she does have stats that jump out, but a lot of people will point to her shooting, only shooting 41%.
listen, Angel Reese is one of those things, like you need to watch the game, 'cause aside from Which I, I think she has the box score numbers, right?
So I don't, I'm not saying that she doesn't.
But her impact is like undeniable.
Yep.
and like you talked about defense, and right now the, the Atlanta Dream, their offense has been wonky, right?
It hasn't been consistent.
Their defense is what has kept them winning games- Yep and, and in games, and that defense is led by her and Rhyne Howard.
And so I think that she's absolutely deserving of a spot.
Mm-hmm.
And, you know, people will like bicker over it, but I think she's deserving.
But another player that does not have to worry about winning is Natasha Howard, and I, I, I'm, I am so happy Natasha Howard is an All-Star this Well, I think she's gonna be an All-Star.
Let me not name it for her yet.
Yeah.
If she does not end up being an All-Star, and definitely a starter, I would be really surprised.
she is playing on the team with the best record in the league, and she is, se- 17.7 points.
And it's not her career high, but it's close to it.
she's pulling down eight boards, right?
1.9 steals, shooting over 60%.
The two-woman game between her and Olivia Myles is breathtaking.
It's great.
It's so great to witness.
I will tell you, and I know we're gonna talk about this a little bit later, so I won't go too deep into it, but I struggled.
This was one of the people that I struggled with, not because I didn't think she was deserving, but because I also was like, dang, do I go Natasha or do I go Gabby Williams?
Like, that to me was such a tough decision, but I had to go Natasha Howard.
For s- all of the things that you mentioned, adding in the fact that she's sitting, she's shooting 61% from the field, like you can't deny that.
But also, this is a champion.
Like, this is someone who has been there, who has done it, and has done it with this team.
And honestly, it felt like she's never left, the way she's seamlessly transitioned back into this Minnesota Lynx, offense and the system.
So yeah, like Natasha Howard, she had to be For me, she, it was like I gotta give her the nod.
Yeah.
And you know, for me it was, Gabby Williams that I struggled with with respect to Angel Reese.
Yeah.
So when we talk about the other players who we were considering, well, I'll, I'll talk about Gabby Williams because I actually- Yeah do think she's also deserving of, of being a starter.
But to round out our front court, the last spot for us went to Jessica Shepard.
Whoo, girl.
Now, we talk about people that's in the MVP conversation.
I don't know why folks may not be thinking Jessica Shepard might be getting some votes.
Maybe not 20, 30- but she might get a few.
She might get a few.
That might be a little too far for me.
Oh, no.
But- I'm, I'm going bi- I'm going big because Jess Shepard is v- I'm going to, I'm gonna brag on you, Jess girl, 'cause you out here balling right now, okay?
You are already hitting triple doubles this season.
You're literally out here rebounding your tail off.
Like, averaging a double double, shooting 58% from the field.
I think when people thought that she was going over to Dallas, that she would be, someone that would help them, but I don't think that they imagined her impact would be the way that it is.
And I think to me, that's what helped me push her o- I mean, outside of the numbers, she's been Western Conference Player of the Month.
She's been Player of the Week.
Again, the triple doubles that she's already occurred.
I don't think people understood the impact that she was gonna have.
I think she, I, I wonder if she got one of the weeklies I knew she got one of the weeklies.
I wasn't sure about the monthly, but- I believe she got one of the Was it, was it year- She, she definitely got a weekly She got a weekly.
Okay.
Maybe I'm giving you too much credit, Jess, but you've been balling, girl, and I can't help myself.
I just love, I love the fact that you've literally taken a team and found a way to make it your own.
To me, that was just, I just, I love that for her.
Yeah.
It's hard to argue that she should not be on here, and, and you made the case, so, let- let's move over to the back court, 'cause to me, that was a little harder.
It was.
because we can only select four, and, like, the guard play this year in the league- Yeah has been ridiculous.
Okay?
So I'm gonna actually start, 'cause, like, to me right now, I, I need to start with Olivia Miles because I think she's having the best season as a guard.
I, I, I really do.
Yeah.
And, to be doing that as a rookie, for me, she is on the MVP ballot.
I would have her second behind A'ja Wilson.
Ooh.
Yes, I would.
Ooh.
and so I should mention that I also Shout out to Breanna Stewart.
She's on, she would be on the MVP ballot too.
I was gonna say, those are my three right now.
Yeah, those are- A'ja, Olivia, and Stewie.
Yeah.
Those are, those are my three too, and so, like, I think Olivia Miles, I mean, look, everyone's been talking about her, so I don't see how you wouldn't know about her.
18.7 points, so nearly 19 points, almost five rebounds, over five assists, which does not even give, enough credit to the play making that she does, right?
She also, I mean, I mean, she's just so good.
Her court awareness is crazy.
Her IQ is crazy.
She's like, like, the, the goggle.
She can see everything.
I have been comparing her to Lindsay Whalen since she entered this league, and I have not felt that I've been wrong yet.
No.
It's a great comparison.
I, I compare her to, the Point God, but look, all of those people.
And she, I mean, she's spoken about, like, who she looked up to, Chelsea Gray being one of them.
Mm-hmm.
Sue Bird, she's mentioned.
Mm-hmm.
Like, when you look at the people, and then from the, the, the NBA side, she's talked about players like Steph Curry, and like, you know, like, paying attention to how certain players play.
Yeah.
And so when you look at the people who she's looking up to to kind of like take things from their game to implement into hers, and I mean, like, too, she, she says too, like, with confidence, "I don't allow myself to get sped up," which she really doesn't.
She doesn't.
She plays with such calmness.
She controls the pace.
Yep.
Yep.
I mean, it, it's just she plays like a seasoned veteran.
Mm-hmm.
And for, to be on a team, to be on a Cheryl Reeve team with seasoned veter- veterans who take her direction, who have no problem giving up the rock to her- Yeah she, she's just been unbelievably impressive.
I don't even know if I'm giving her enough justice.
And I've also enjoyed the chirping, because I watched Olivia Miles in college, and I'm not saying that she never talked smack, but I j- I just feel like- She, thought she was a little quiet.
Thought she was a little quiet, a little more quiet I didn't think she was quiet, but man- she's upped the ante, and I don't, I don't think that's a bad thing.
I like it, and she says she's not gonna allow herself as a rookie to be punked.
And so, like- Mm-hmm she's not going out there to start something, but she's, she's not gonna let you punk her.
I'm telling you, there's no one more happy to have her on their team than Courtney Williams.
Courtney Williams is so happy she ain't gotta run point.
She don't know how to act about herself.
but, I think there is, I think you and I probably, if this was, if Olivia was your first, then Paige Bueckers had to be your second.
Absolutely.
Had to be your second, because Paige Bueckers is literally just continuing to do what we saw her do as the Rookie of the Year, in 2025.
She's averaging 19.9 points per game, assisting, getting the ball, getting her teammates involved with 5.9 assists, shooting the ball very well, shooting the ball, from three at a, at a high clip.
But I love the fact that she has yet just continued to elevate.
When I ask her about, "What does it mean to you to elevate your game?"
when I talked to her in their game against Chicago, she was like, "I'm just continuing to work on the things that I know I need to get better at doing.
Some of those things is just making sure that I continue to get all of my teammates involved in the play.
Some of those things are making sure that I finish at the rim, that I make sure that I hold my head down and just go for it."
And so I love that, and I feel like she's doing that.
Like, she understands there's still so much more left to her game that she needs to, even though it's crazy to think that, but there's still so much more left to her game.
She recognizes that, and every day I feel like she's doing the things to try to make herself a better player.
Absolutely.
no, I don't have anything else to add there.
you know we gotta talk about her, Caitlin Clark.
Of course.
Listen, Caitlin Clark, there's been a lot of conversation around her season this year, and like, look, we can acknowledge that she's not shooting as efficiently- Yeah as we know her to shoot, but she is still the driving force behind that offense on the Indiana Fever, right?
Yeah.
As a play maker, as a scorer, right?
And, and, and the gr- her gravity and how people defend her helps to open up things on the floor and space it for her teammates.
Absolutely.
Okay?
So she's averaging over 20 points in the league as a guard, and I always wanna point that out, so that's important when people see that.
So she's one of the top scorers in the WNBA.
She's pulling down four boards.
I think she's actually underrated as a, as a rebounding guard.
She actually is a really good rebounder.
We know she had a triple double before.
Mm-hmm.
Right?
She's also obviously, you know, handing out assists, all the time, and so- Best, best part of her game to me.
Yeah.
Natural.
She's an amazing passer.
And so, Caitlin Clark, you know, I think, is definitely, an all-star starter this year.
And I, e- like, like, with all players, right, like, we know that she's going to get back to the point where, like, she's gonna have some games where she's probably shooting so lights out that that efficiency is gonna balance out over the course of the season.
Yeah.
So I wouldn't really worry about that, but definitely, I think, deserving of a starter spot.
Agreed.
And then we get to our final spot, where we both said it had to be someone on the Atlanta Dream.
It had to be a Dream guard.
We knew that.
And yes, there is some debate around whether Rhyne Howard should be constitu- counted as a guard, but she is, even though she does play the three for them.
And so, look, this is just a comparison of the two of them.
You, you really couldn't go wrong here, Charissa.
You really couldn't go wrong here.
I mean, you think about the, the few games that have been missed from injuries or things like that, but to me, I think what put it over the edge for me was the consistency.
I think when I, between the two, I feel like Alicia Gray just plays at a little bit more of a consistent rate and consistent pace.
You know what you're gonna get from her game in, game out, and that to me is what separated the two.
It, it really wasn't about stats, because the stats are so identical in so many places that again, y- you really can't go wrong.
But I just thought when I think of the Atlanta Dream, the first person that comes to my mind as knowing day in, day out this is the production that I'm gonna get is Alicia Gray, and to me, that's all-star worthy.
Yeah.
I think that, the variance in Rhyne's game is an actual excellent point.
It's, it's also what gave me pau- pause.
And so, like, where you see their scoring output is similar, the variance is that, like, one night Rhyne might give you, like, close to 30 or, like, way over 20, and then another night you're getting, like, 14 or 15.
Like, it just, there, there's variance in her scoring.
Yeah.
but then I thought about the load that she cov- that she carries on defense.
Yep.
Fair.
and, and Alicia Gray is a, is a great, a two-way guard, so I don't wanna, like, take that away from her.
I know what you mean.
Mm-hmm.
But yeah, Rhyne Howard has, she's definitely gonna be, I think, on an all defensive team.
Some people have said they have her in the conversation for DPOY.
What she's doing on defense this year for the, the, Atlanta Dream cannot go overlooked.
Mm-hmm.
And so because of that, that's what I gave her the edge for.
And, and, and I did that because I feel like they've been winning these games- Yeah with their defense.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
The same way I said with, with Angel Reese.
And so that, that's how I landed at Rhyne Howard
