Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are teaming up.
The WNBA rookies were named to the league’s All-Star team Tuesday just three months after being drafted.
The 2024 WNBA All-Stars were announced on ESPN ahead of the Fever’s matchup with the two-time reigning champion Aces in Las Vegas.
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft by Indiana, and Reese, the No. 7 pick by the Sky, have helped spark massive spikes in attendance and television ratings for the league.
Clark, 22, entered Tuesday averaging 16.2 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from 3-point range.
“I know people are going to be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn’t take away from everybody else,” Clark said of her and Angel Reese’s All-Star nods after the Fever star scored 13 points in their 88-69 loss to the Aces. “This is a huge accomplishment for everybody on Team USA and everybody on Team WNBA. They all deserve the same praise. I don’t want it to take away from any of that and just be the focal point of All-Star weekend because that’s not fair to them.
“Just going to obviously soak in the experience because you never know if you’re ever going to get back there.”
Reese headed into Tuesday’s 85-77 win over the Dream averaging a double-double, with 13.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
She had another big rebounding night, pulling down 19, to go along with 12 points.
“We won today, but they just told me I am an All-Star. I’m just so happy,” Reese said through tears at the postgame press conference. “I know the work I’ve put in. Coming into this league, so many people doubted me and didn’t think my game would translate and I wouldn’t be the player I was in college, or better, or would be worse, or wouldn’t be where I am now. But, I trusted the process and I believed. I’m thankful that I dropped to[No.] 7 and was able to come to Chicago. It’s just a blessing. I can’t thank my teammates and my coaches enough for believing in me and trusting me. I know all of them are gonna come to Phoenix and support me, so I’m really happy right now.”
Clark finished first in voting (700,735 votes), while Reese was fifth (381,518).
The 20th edition of the All-Star Game is a celebration and sendoff of WNBA players selected to compete in the Summer Olympics, which will take place July 26-Aug. 11.
Clark made headlines last month when she did not make the 12-player Team USA roster for the Olympics.
Some said Clark was snubbed even though it would have been a good opportunity for the Olympics to capitalize on her popularity.
on the WNBA All-Stars. Getty Images
Others didn’t think she had enough experience to compete at the Olympic level.
Selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti later explained the decision came down to basketball criteria — and not the fame and attention Clark would bring to the Games this summer.
WNBA All-Star voting is made up of votes from fans (50 percent), current WNBA players (25 percent) and media members (25 percent).
This year’s WNBA All-Star festivities will feature the third annual WNBA Live — the league’s two-day fan festival, which will celebrate the intersection of the WNBA, fashion, music and culture — that will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center July 19-20.
The game itself will tip off July 20 at 8:30 p.m. at Footprint Center in Phoenix and air on ABC.
ESPN will air a skills challenge and a 3-point contest on July 19 at 6 p.m.
