Angel Reese, a prominent player for the Atlanta Dream, has publicly stated her disappointment and frustration regarding the starting lineups for the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game, asserting that the selections show "disrespect" to her teammates.
Neither Reese nor any of her Dream teammates were named as starters for the game. Reese specifically highlighted the omissions of veteran teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.
"I expect to be disrespected," Reese told reporters Thursday. "For those two though, I think they work so hard and they put a lot of work in, and the way that they’re guarded every game and they [have to] adjust. The reason why we’re where we are is because of those two."
Reese, in her first season with the Dream, has been a significant factor in the team's strong performance. As of Thursday, the Dream were tied with the Liberty atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 12-8 record. Reese is one of only two players in the WNBA currently averaging a double-double, leading the league in rebounds with 11.6 per game and ranking 24th in scoring with 14.8 points per game. Her performance placed her seventh among frontcourt players in the All-Star voting, which combines fan, player, and media input.
Howard and Gray were noted as having the fifth- and sixth-highest scores among guards and rank 12th and 13th in the league for scoring. Additionally, Howard and teammate Jordin Canada are reportedly the top two players in steals.
"For us not to have anyone was just a slap in the face, but they’re not going to say anything," Reese added. "I am."
The starting guards for the All-Star Game were announced as Paige Bueckers of Dallas, Olivia Miles of Minnesota, Caitlin Clark of Indiana, and Kelsey Mitchell. The frontcourt starters include A'ja Wilson of Las Vegas, Breanna Stewart of the Liberty, Jessica Shephard of Dallas, Aliyah Boston of Indiana, Gabby Williams of Golden State, and Natasha Howard of Minnesota.