The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is heading to Chicago in about a week and a half, and the rosters are finally set after Wednesday’s draft. WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon served as the general managers, splitting the league’s best into two teams. And the top two vote-getters? They ended up on opposite sides.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were the overwhelming fan favorites this year, which meant they automatically became the centerpieces for Team Spoon (Clark) and Team Coop (Bueckers). From there, Cooper and Weatherspoon took over, making every pick themselves. Trades were technically allowed, but neither GM bothered. They stuck with what they had.
Team Spoon’s full roster
Joining Clark on Team Weatherspoon are A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Aliyah Boston, Jessica Shepard, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Williams, Kiki Iriafen and Nneka Ogwumike. That’s a lot of frontcourt muscle and perimeter scoring. Wilson and Boston alone give that front line a ridiculous amount of firepower.
Team Coop’s lineup
Bueckers will share the floor with Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, Gabby Williams, Angel Reese, Marina Mabrey, Dominique Malonga, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Sonia Citron. Stewart and Plum are obvious threats, but keep an eye on Reese. She’s been playing with a chip on her shoulder all season and All-Star games love that kind of energy.
The head coaching gigs went to Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces and Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx. That’s because their teams had the two best records at the halfway mark of the season. Hammon and Reeve have a history of getting the most out of their lineups, so expect some actual strategy mixed in with the showcase.
This format is a change from last year. In 2025, Clark and Lynx star Napheesa Collier were the top two vote-getters and served as team captains, drafting their own squads. Collier’s team won that game, and she took home MVP. This time around, the league handed the reins to two icons from the league’s early days. It’s a nice nod to history, but it also means the players didn’t get to choose who they played with.
The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Tickets are still available, though they’re moving fast. With Clark and Bueckers on opposite sides, this one has the feel of a real rivalry game. And given how competitive both players are, don’t be surprised if things get a little heated during the fourth quarter.
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