Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese stated that the absence of any players from her team named as starters for the WNBA All-Star Game was a "slap in the face." The Dream are currently tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Reese, who is averaging a double-double with 14.8 points and a league-high 11.6 rebounds per game in her rookie season, defended her teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. "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 said. "For us not to have anyone was just a slap in the face."
Starting spots for the All-Star Game are determined by a point system that weighs fan, media, and player votes. Reese was ranked seventh overall based on this weighted system, just outside of a starting frontcourt position. Howard and Gray were ranked fifth and sixth among guards, respectively, missing out on the four available guard starting spots.
Despite not being named starters, Reese indicated that she and her teammates are likely to be selected to play in the game. Reese also noted that she "expect[s] to be disrespected," but felt compelled to speak up for her teammates, who she said "won't say anything."
In contrast, Caitlin Clark was selected as an All-Star starter. While players ranked her 11th among guards, fans placed her second and media placed her third. Clark is currently fifth in the WNBA in scoring with 21.2 points per game and second in assists with 8.2 per game, making her the only player in the league averaging over 20 points and eight assists.