We know the two head coaches for the two teams in this year’s All-Star Game at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Those would be the Seattle Storm’s Dan Hughes and the Phoenix Mercury’s Sandy Brondello.
We will not yet know the teams as those will be announced on Thursday, but we do know the 22 players who will be headed to the Twin Cities to take part in this year’s All-Star festivities.
When the new NBA-esque format was announced for the All-Star Game, one had to think that the captains would probably be Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi. Instead, the Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker and the Washington Mystics’ Elena Delle Donne were tabbed as such and they will be the two team captains.
WNBA sent out a release that said Maya Moore, "Today informed the WNBA that she is unable to perform her captaincy duties at this time. She has been excused from those responsibilities, but will remain a part of the All-Star Game." Waiting to see if Lynx, Moore explain.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) July 17, 2018
The host team Minnesota Lynx, as expected, is sending their fair share of participants – such as Moore along with Sylvia Fowles and Seimone Augustus. Parker’s Sparks are also sending a healthy contingency representing the purple and gold of Los Angeles that features Nneka Ogwumike and Chelsea Gray. Nneka’s sister, Chiney Ogwumike, also will take part as representing the Connecticut Sun.
Along with Delle Donne, Kristi Toliver will be in Minneapolis from the Mystics.
The Seattle Storm had hoped to send four to the All-Star Game – and they certainly had a case with the play of Natasha Howard, who has a case for this year’s Most Improved Player. The green and gold of the Storm got three who will make the trip to the Twin Cities – including Sue Bird, who will participate in the All-Star Game for a record 11th time.
Bird was tagged as last year’s grand marshal for last year’s festivities in Seattle.
Along with the seemingly ageless Bird, the Storm will also be represented by Breanna Stewart and Faith Mothershed herself, Jewell Loyd.
Brondello’s Mercury – as expected – will also be well-represented as its big three of Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and DeWanna Bonner will be present.
A few hours after Liz Cambage made history by dropping 53 points – the most ever in a single WNBA game – on the New York Liberty, it was announced that she along with Skylar Diggins-Smith will be participating in the All-Star Game from the Dallas Wings. As for the team on the receiving end of Cambage’s history-making afternoon, Tina Charles will be in the Twin Cities as the sole representative from the black and statue green.
One of the best stories of the 2018 WNBA season – a campaign that is being talked about by many as the best in history – has been the ascent of the Las Vegas Aces, who have come from the worst record in the league in 2017 to potential playoff contenders this year. Bill Laimbeer’s Aces have been well-rewarded as both A’ja Wilson – the favorite for the Rookie of the Year award – and Kayla McBride will represent Sin City in the Twin Cities.
Allie Quigley, who won last year’s three-point contest in Seattle, will be the lone Chicago Sky player as part of the 22 and the Atlanta Dream will be sending Angel McCoughtry to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The team rosters for Team Parker and Team Delle Donne are scheduled to be announced Thursday. As for the televising of the player draft…
For all those asking the @WNBA isn't televising the captains draft. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a union thing.
— Doug Feinberg (@DougFeinberg) July 18, 2018
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
