Picking a 2018 WNBA All-Star from Each Team
Picking a 2018 WNBA All-Star from Each Team
Written by Miracle Robinson (@MiracleR__) on 28 June 2018
Written by Miracle Robinson
(@MiracleR__) on 28 June 2018
The 2018 WNBA All-Star game is approaching and voting is now open. If you could pick one player from each team, who would deserve your vote? Check out some of the biggest names this season.
The 2018 WNBA All-Star game is approaching and voting is now open. If you could pick one player from each team, who would deserve your vote? Check out some of the biggest names this season.
Atlanta Dream - Angel McCoughtry
After taking a season off from the WNBA, Angel McCoughtry returns to the league in all-star form. She leads the Dream in scoring and steals per game with 18.5 and 1.6, respectively. McCoughtry’s biggest game this season came against the Liberty when she posted a major double-double with 39 points and 14 rebounds.
Take a look:
Chicago Sky - Cheyenne Parker
Cheyenne Parker is having a career year. Parker was drafted fifth overall in 2015 from Middle Tennessee State University. This year she’s averaging 11.3ppg, 7.8rpg and shooting 54% from the field. It’s safe to say that if Parker is getting minutes, she’ll produce big numbers and needs to be a first-time all-star.
Connecticut Sun - Chiney Ogwumike
Her name speaks for itself; her family is women’s basketball royalty. Returning in her first season from injury, Chiney Ogwumike is having a great year, and until recently the Sun have been rolling. With the recent injury to Alyssa Thomas, Ogwumike has averaged 35.7mpg and shooting 61% from the field over the last three games. It hasn’t been enough to notch Connecticut any wins, but definitely enough to be cast an all-star.
Dallas Wings - Skylar Diggins-Smith
If you’ve been following Diggins-Smith on Twitter, that would be enough to give her an all-star nod. She’s fed up with sexism, she’s fed up with people thinking they’re coaches and she’s taking out her frustrations on the court. Skylar is averaging 20.0ppg and 6.4apg. Her best performance this season was against Indiana where she posted 35 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in 40 minutes.
Indiana Fever - Kelsey Mitchell
As some folks would say, “Kelsey Mitchell is a bucket.” What this means in the basketball world is that she can flat-out score. The Fever haven’t impressed many this season, but their rookie has. Mitchell leads the rookie class in 3-pointers made and also is averaging 16.8ppg. If Indiana has anything to look forward to, it’s Kelsey Mitchell’s potential to be a perennial all-star and her ability to continuously break ankles.
Los Angeles Sparks - Chelsea Gray
The Sparks are a team that is star-studded with the likes of Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike, but Chelsea Gray is the glue that holds the team together. She has continuously improved every year in the league. Currently, she’s on pace to have a career high in points, minutes, steals and assists. Gray is tied second overall in assists this season averaging 5.9 per game. Plus, she’s become one of the most clutch players in the league.
Minnesota Lynx - Sylvia Fowles
Sylvia “Sweet Syl” Fowles isn’t so sweet when she defending the basket or putting the ball in the hoop. While Minnesota didn’t start of the year so great, Fowles has been the focal point. Sweet Syl leads the league in rebounds with 12.1 per game, she can also score pretty well, too at 17.4ppg. Expect Minnesota’s “Big Four” to make this year’s All-Star roster due to their home court advantage.
New York Liberty - Tina Charles
The one constant piece for New York this season has been Tina Charles. With multiple starting lineups, Charles has still been able to score. She’s averaging 20.9 points and 7.1rpg and has scored 20 or more points in five games this season. The gold medalist continues to make a lasting impression during her ninth year in the league.
Phoenix Mercury - Diana Taurasi
Diana Taurasi has been one of the fan favorites to watch for the last 14 years. During the off-season, she and wife, Penny Taylor welcomed a baby boy which I credit for her MVP-form season. Taurasi is playing like a woman on fire. The veteran is easily scoring 20.4ppg and at age 36 is getting to the line almost 5.5 times per game. In case you’re wondering, she leads the league in free throw percentage.
Seattle Storm - Breanna Stewart
Stewie is a no-brainer when it comes to making the 2018 All-Star Game. Why? She simply does it all for Seattle. Currently, Stewart leads the league in scoring with 22.0ppg. The former Uconn star is having her best season offensively, and there’s a lot left in the season to increase her ceiling.
Las Vegas Aces - A’ja Wilson
A’ja Wilson is the type of star the league has been waiting for. You love her game and her off the court theatrics. In her rookie season, she’s amongst the league leaders in points, rebounds, and blocks. She’s had nine 20+ point games so far. Her best game yet was against the Indiana Fever where she put up 35 points and 13 rebounds.
Washington Mystics - Elena Delle Donne
Since coming into the league Delle Donne has been an offensive juggernaut. She has range, but can also score easily in the paint, and is able to put the ball on the floor, too. Elena is having one of best passing seasons so far. Plus, she’s responsible for leading the young Washington Mystics team in her sixth season while battling illness. She’s really a modern-day Super Woman.
Things To Remember
- June 19 - All-Star voting opens
- July 13 - Coaches with the two best records will be selected All-Star coaches
- July 17 - WNBA to announce the pool of players and two captains
- July 19 - League will unveil two-team rosters during the Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings broadcast (8 p.m. ET)
- July 27 - Captains and coaches to determine starters
- July 28 - WNBA All-Star 2018 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Let me know who your WNBA All-Stars are! Chat with me on Twitter, maybe even change my mind.
Atlanta Dream - Angel McCoughtry
After taking a season off from the WNBA, Angel McCoughtry returns to the league in all-star form. She leads the Dream in scoring and steals per game with 18.5 and 1.6, respectively. McCoughtry’s biggest game this season came against the Liberty when she posted a major double-double with 39 points and 14 rebounds.
Take a look:
Chicago Sky - Cheyenne Parker
Cheyenne Parker is having a career year. Parker was drafted fifth overall in 2015 from Middle Tennessee State University. This year she’s averaging 11.3ppg, 7.8rpg and shooting 54% from the field. It’s safe to say that if Parker is getting minutes, she’ll produce big numbers and needs to be a first-time all-star.
Connecticut Sun - Chiney Ogwumike
Her name speaks for itself; her family is women’s basketball royalty. Returning in her first season from injury, Chiney Ogwumike is having a great year, and until recently the Sun have been rolling. With the recent injury to Alyssa Thomas, Ogwumike has averaged 35.7mpg and shooting 61% from the field over the last three games. It hasn’t been enough to notch Connecticut any wins, but definitely enough to be cast an all-star.
Dallas Wings - Skylar Diggins-Smith
If you’ve been following Diggins-Smith on Twitter, that would be enough to give her an all-star nod. She’s fed up with sexism, she’s fed up with people thinking they’re coaches and she’s taking out her frustrations on the court. Skylar is averaging 20.0ppg and 6.4apg. Her best performance this season was against Indiana where she posted 35 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in 40 minutes.
Indiana Fever - Kelsey Mitchell
As some folks would say, “Kelsey Mitchell is a bucket.” What this means in the basketball world is that she can flat-out score. The Fever haven’t impressed many this season, but their rookie has. Mitchell leads the rookie class in 3-pointers made and also is averaging 16.8ppg. If Indiana has anything to look forward to, it’s Kelsey Mitchell’s potential to be a perennial all-star and her ability to continuously break ankles.
Los Angeles Sparks - Chelsea Gray
The Sparks are a team that is star-studded with the likes of Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike, but Chelsea Gray is the glue that holds the team together. She has continuously improved every year in the league. Currently, she’s on pace to have a career high in points, minutes, steals and assists. Gray is tied second overall in assists this season averaging 5.9 per game. Plus, she’s become one of the most clutch players in the league.
Minnesota Lynx - Sylvia Fowles
Sylvia “Sweet Syl” Fowles isn’t so sweet when she defending the basket or putting the ball in the hoop. While Minnesota didn’t start of the year so great, Fowles has been the focal point. Sweet Syl leads the league in rebounds with 12.1 per game, she can also score pretty well, too at 17.4ppg. Expect Minnesota’s “Big Four” to make this year’s All-Star roster due to their home court advantage.
New York Liberty - Tina Charles
The one constant piece for New York this season has been Tina Charles. With multiple starting lineups, Charles has still been able to score. She’s averaging 20.9 points and 7.1rpg and has scored 20 or more points in five games this season. The gold medalist continues to make a lasting impression during her ninth year in the league.
Phoenix Mercury - Diana Taurasi
Diana Taurasi has been one of the fan favorites to watch for the last 14 years. During the off-season, she and wife, Penny Taylor welcomed a baby boy which I credit for her MVP-form season. Taurasi is playing like a woman on fire. The veteran is easily scoring 20.4ppg and at age 36 is getting to the line almost 5.5 times per game. In case you’re wondering, she leads the league in free throw percentage.
Seattle Storm - Breanna Stewart
Stewie is a no-brainer when it comes to making the 2018 All-Star Game. Why? She simply does it all for Seattle. Currently, Stewart leads the league in scoring with 22.0ppg. The former Uconn star is having her best season offensively, and there’s a lot left in the season to increase her ceiling.
Las Vegas Aces - A’ja Wilson
A’ja Wilson is the type of star the league has been waiting for. You love her game and her off the court theatrics. In her rookie season, she’s amongst the league leaders in points, rebounds, and blocks. She’s had nine 20+ point games so far. Her best game yet was against the Indiana Fever where she put up 35 points and 13 rebounds.
Washington Mystics - Elena Delle Donne
Since coming into the league Delle Donne has been an offensive juggernaut. She has range, but can also score easily in the paint, and is able to put the ball on the floor, too. Elena is having one of best passing seasons so far. Plus, she’s responsible for leading the young Washington Mystics team in her sixth season while battling illness. She’s really a modern-day Super Woman.
Things To Remember
- June 19 - All-Star voting opens
- July 13 - Coaches with the two best records will be selected All-Star coaches
- July 17 - WNBA to announce the pool of players and two captains
- July 19 - League will unveil two-team rosters during the Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings broadcast (8 p.m. ET)
- July 27 - Captains and coaches to determine starters
- July 28 - WNBA All-Star 2018 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Let me know who your WNBA All-Stars are! Chat with me on Twitter, maybe even change my mind.