WNBA 2026 All-Star Expectations By Team

We lay out our early WNBA 2026 All-Star expectations and how brutal the math gets when only 24 spots exist. We run team by team through our current list, the bubble names we respect, and the few picks that might start an argument. 
• setting the ground rules for a 24-player All-Star pool and why the list will change 
• A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young as easy locks plus the Chelsea Gray squeeze 
• Liberty injuries reshaping the All-Star case for Brianna Stewart and Jonquel Jones 
• Lynx depth with Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard and Courtney Williams leading the push 
• Dream trio expectations with Alicia Gray, Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese’s expanding game 
• Fever star power with Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark plus the Aaliyah Boston debate 
• Why a new team like Portland can still produce an All-Star in Brittney Sykes 
• Mystics young core led by Sonia Citron and Shakira Austin with team record in the background 
• Wings controversy with Paige Bueckers and Jessica Shepard raising hard questions for Arike Ogunbowale 
• Valkyries playoff relevance fueling cases for Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton 
• Sparks outlook with Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike as the top two 
• Mercury expectations built around Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas 
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Transcript

Welcome And The All-Star Rules

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What's up, everybody? It's your favorite show's favorite show, get a bucket. I'm your host, Train, as usual. Hope you're all having a wonderful, wonderful day. Today we're going to talk about the WNBA 2026 All-Star Expectations. But before we do that, please make sure to hit that like and subscribe button, comment, tell anyone who's anyone about the show. Trying to get the ratings up a little bit, you know, just a little bit. And if you wonder where you heard this before, that's because you've been listening to me Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. So I greatly appreciate your support. Now, my current WNBA All-Star Selections for this 2026 season. Expectation-wise. Well, you know, for starters, you gotta select 24 All-Stars. And we we got a little bit of time until the All-Star game pops off, right? Like we got about, what is it, July time frame? So let's let's pump the brakes, right? There's no rush. We got some more basketball to talk about. But, or at least watch. But I will say this these ladies I'm about to list off have stood out to me. There are a couple of others that I may even mention that I've not written down just to give them some acknowledgement. But currently I got 24 names, and we'll see as time goes on how this list is adjusted. So, off top, we got to talk about

Aces Locks And Tough Cuts

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here. Uh let's bring up the aces, right? So we got Asia Wilson and Jackie Young. Those are the two of the ladies that I have put on my list. Keep in mind Asia Wilson is the usual suspect along with Jackie Young for the All-Star Selection. Now, hell, we could have thrown Chelsea Gray up there. And keep in mind, she could still very well make it. I think right now she's averaging 12.7 assists. Probably not a lot of turnovers, like that's the point guard right there, right? So there's a world where she could actually get up there. But because of this influx of talent and the expansion teams, right, people are playing. And some spots are gonna get cut, unfortunately. Like, I don't know what to tell you. So out of the Aces all-star caliber players, Chelsea Gray probably would be the one that gets the boot first, respectfully. Kennedy Carter has has a has a chance at making it. I don't know about Jewel Lloyd. I don't. I don't think Jewel's gonna make it. But right now, they got about four and a possible. Well, I guess two and two possibles, maybe even three possibles from the Aces. But like I said, Asia Wilson, Jackie Young, them two I expect to

Liberty Stars And Injury Ripple Effects

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make it. Now, from the from the from the Liberty, right, we got Brianna Stewart and we have John Quell Jones. Now, on one hand, right, we can we can talk about the injuries to the Liberty and how that has actually hurt some of their all-star potential players, like Satu Sabali, Sabrina Ianescu. You know, those those do matter. But it's also kind of helped out John Quell Jones and Brianna Stewart because they've had to do a lot by themselves. Now, don't get me wrong, the Liberties still have a good quality team. But without their all-star caliber players, it does help vault Brianna and John Quell into this all-star voting selection for me. So again, Brianna Stewart, John Quell Jones, they were all-stars before. Welcome back to the fray. So, with that, again, you know, let's let's move on down because we don't have to talk too, too much about players like Asia Wilson, Jackie, Brianna Stewart and John Quell Jones.

Lynx Depth And A Four All-Star Case

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We know about them already, right? Minnesota Lynx, Olivia Miles has been playing at all-star caliber. But also, Natasha Howard. My girl Tosh out there has been hooping, bro. She's been moving them puppies on offense and defense. Very versatile, still one of the better players in the WNBA. You got to give some love and credit to Natasha Howard. And not having the feast but collier on the team until maybe, let's say, July time frame. That could pop, that could possibly happen. Maybe she comes back June time frame. I'm not exactly sure. But Natasha Howard has been playing an all-star selection. All-star caliber. As well as Courtney Williams. Courtney Williams, again, back-to-back seasons as an all-star. Let's wait and find out. And keep in mind, too, they also have Kayla McBride, who could be an all-star selection. Now, Kayla did not make my list this season. And that's no knock against her. It's just that Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard, and Courtney Williams have been slightly producing better than Kayla McBride. But keep in mind, Caleb McBuckets could be the fourth Minnesota Link player to be an all-star selection, especially if their team is number one. I remember when the Hawks did it in the NBA, they had number one team. They have four All-Stars. Caleb McBride could very well do that. Or what happens if injuries occur? Because injuries always happen every season. Knock on wood. Hopefully we got an injury-free season. But again, the Lynx have a case for having four all-star selections. I only have three listed off right now. But again, that's just right now. Next week, who knows? Hell, I could probably move Kayla McBride onto this list. But the Minnesota Lynx looking to have

Dream Trio And Angel Reese Growth

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good company. The Atlanta Dream, ladies and gentlemen, I'm looking at three players right now. We got Alicia Gray, Ryan Howard, and Angel Reese. All three are have been on the All-Star team multiple times by now. So it's not out of the realm of possibility that they make it again. There's a couple teams actually with three players on the all-star list for me. And the Atlanta Dream is one of them. Again, Alicia Gray doing her thing offensively. Ryan Howard, well, and defensively too. She knows slouch. Ryan Howard, same thing. Offensively, having a slower start, but defensively, she's getting the job done. And offensively, she's coming along too. So that's what helps out. Angel Reese has been playing some good basketball, ladies and gentlemen. She has been expanding her game. She's still getting the double doubles. You can't say she's stat pad no more. Like you really can't. While efficiency still could be a little bit better, it's much better than what people try to make it out in the past. So again, Angel Reese, Ryan Howard, Alicia Gray, you guys are representing Atlanta pretty well, and I'm expecting them to be in the WMBA All-Star Games.

Fever Big Three And The Boston Question

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The Indiana Fever, ladies and gentlemen, are another team that boasts three potential all-star caliber players. And they've done it before, right? We got Kelsey Mitchell. We got Aaliyah Boston, and we have Caitlin Clark. If there was one player to drop currently point in time, Aaliyah Boston does seem to be in question right now.

unknown 6:12

Right?

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Kelsey Mitchell's still averaging 20. Caitlin Clark stands. I don't think we'll let that happen. Even like even if she's inefficient and turnover prone, still a big draw to the WNBA. So just off that alone, she might have to be in the All-Star selection. But her points, her stats, if you don't look at anything negative, they look pretty ridiculous. They do. The 20 points, eight assists. I hear you. It looks four rebounds. It looks smooth. It really does. So again, all-star caliber. But Aaliyah Boston, even though she might be the Fever's best player, because of statistics, people care about those numbers, and they're not as eye-popping as Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark. Again, I expect Aaliyah Boston to be on this list, but I had to pick one person on that trio that might not make it. It could be Aaliyah Boston. It could be. But again, I expect all three to make it.

Portland’s New Star And Why It Matters

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Now, the Portland Tempo, right? One of the newer, yeah, one of the newer teams in the WNBA, they may have an all-star selection, which is crazy because this is going to be a trend now. At least every season so far, although it's been two, we've had one of the new teams boast an all-star. I think, what was it? Burton got it last year or Thornton got it last year. One of those two got it last year, I think. No, Thornton got it last year. Caleb Thornton. And then after this, now Britney Sykes off the Portland fire. I think should be able to make an all-star appearance. Keep in mind Britney Sykes has been an all-star before. So it's not like reaching for this selection. She's been playing pretty well. Again, she's a star to me without the same cachet as other players, like uh Brianna Stewart or a Asia Wilson. Like again, Britney Sykes is one of them ones, bro. And Portland got a really good player. So I'm expecting Britney Sykes to be in the all-star selection.

Mystics Youth Movement And Team Success

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Now, let's move on to the Washington Mystics. Because I think they got a couple players to talk about. Like Sonia Satron and Shakira Alston. While this is the youngest team, I think in WNBA history, last season they had three all-star selections. This year I think they're gonna have two. Could they have multiple? Possibly. Like Kiki Erie Effen is is still playing some decent basketball, right? So I can't act like they don't have the talent to throw out there from an all-star perspective. But I do wonder, will they have that third person up there? Because Shakira playing good basketball. Sonya playing good basketball. Again, Kiki is as well, too, but other players might be playing a little bit better than them. Also, the Mystics are not in the playoff race right now. They actually are behind the Portland Fire. So, you know, team success, while matters a little bit, it does. I think someone like a Kiki might need to improve her production just a bit to make my all-star selections. But again, I'm not gonna be surprised, nor will I lose sleep if the Mystics have three players instead of two. But definitely Sonya and Shakira, I'm expecting them to make it because they have taken. I think they're the best players on the Mystics, if I'm being honest with you. And their stats are kind of backing that up too. But that's enough about the Mystics.

Wings Debate And Arike On The Bubble

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Let's talk about the wings. Because this one could get a little controversial. I like Paige Becker's. Y'all know that. Y'all know, y'all know I love Paige. Jessica Shepard has been playing some good basketball. Has been playing some good basketball. As of right now, 14 points, 12, 13 rebounds, and six assists. That's not bad at all. To the point that is making me wonder, will Arique or Goomba Wale miss out on the all-star selection for a second year in a row? Like, we're at that level right now. Arique giving me 15 points, three assists. Don't get it wrong. Those are good numbers. But other players are giving better production. And it does suck that Jessica is hooping along with Paige as well, too. So I think it's gonna be weird not seeing Arique potentially end the all-star game again, but we are at we we A, we could be looking at that world. Like Paige and MVP discussion, Jessica for the most improved. Arique could be on her way out, sadly. And that hurts a little bit to say. So again, all-star not, does she have the talent? Yes. And even to be clear, hell, AZ Fud has the talent to become an all-star. But in her rookie season, I don't know if she does become an all-star. Olivia Miles might be an all-star her rookie season. Paige Beckers was an all-star her rookie season. Caitlin Clark was an all-star her rookie season along with Aaliyah Boston. But the situations helped them out during their rookie season along with their production. AZ is playing behind Jessica and Ari Kay and Paige. Fourth options, like the Minnesota Lynx could have four players on the team, but Kaitlin McBride is more established. Courtney Williams is more established. Natasha Howard is more established, and Olivia Miles is hooping her tail off. So again, it's very, it's going to be very tough for AZ Fudd to make the All-Star selection. But they have four All-Star Caliber players on their team. I'm only expecting two of them to make it to be clear. Just be honest with y'all. And again, AZ is a little young. So she's not quite at all-star caliber. She's just got all-star talent. But Dallas should have two players for all-star

Valkyries Picks And Burton Vs Gray

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selection. Now the Golden State Valkyries, ladies and gentlemen, I'm looking at, and this one I'm still kind of one of these I'm kind of on right now, but she's been playing some good basketball. So that's because I got to throw her in there. Gabby Williams, one of the better players in the WNBA and elite forward, right? She's helped keeping this Valkyrie team in the playoffs as we currently speak. Like they could go to the playoffs back-to-back seasons. If when the Valkyrie were created, were founded, right? Originated, I don't know if anybody was even thinking about outside of their fans them going back to back in the playoffs. That's new. But also Veronica Burton, one of the better young guards in the WNBA, under 25, probably, I'd want to say at least, arguable top five in terms of guards. When we're talking about players in the WNBA, you got Paige Beckers, you got Caitlin Clark, you got Olivia Miles, you got Sonia Citron. I'm not just talking about point guards, I'm talking about shooting guards as well, too, ladies and gentlemen. And then you got Veronica Burton. Like that's a real discussion. She could be better than AZ Food, even though AZ is a little bit younger. Again, right now, point in time, Veronica Burton's been playing some good basketball. 3.5 assists to turnover ratio, points. I think she's around 12 to 15 points per game. That's not bad numbers. I think actually closer to 12-13. But still, point is good decision maker, quality score, young talent, goals they valky in the playoffs. I'm not going to be surprised if Veronica Burton is an all-star this season, ladies and gentlemen. Could you say that other players had better numbers? Sure. Like Chelsea Gray could end up getting this spot instead of Veronica Burton. But I do think that Veronica Burton has been playing enough good basketball for me to say, hey, maybe she makes the, maybe she takes the cake. So again, Veronica's on my list. Chelsea actually was not. And there's no slight to Chelsea. I can see Chelsea Gray making the list, but I also see, again, Veronica Burton being able to make this list as well, too. She has that talent. She has that game. She's been playing pretty well. So again, tip of the cap to Veronica. Wishing you the best. Let's see how, let's see how let's see how your production continues as time goes on. But we're done with the Valkyrie

Sparks Selections And Fringe Candidates

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now. We're gonna go on to my Sparks, which this sucks, man, because we got a couple of all-star caliber players on the team, right? I expect Kelsey Plum and Nekka Gumake to make the team. They've made it before. Let's keep that, let's keep that trend going, right? Kelsey, I'll be curious because you know she came back off injury. She's been hooping, though. So I wholeheartedly expect her to not really miss out on the all-star selection. NECA, I think you've been playing well enough to become an all-star this season, but we'll wait and see, too, because maybe some slippage occurs. Dierca Hanby is an all-star caliber player, even though I think she's our third option. Might not make the cut this year. Might not make the cut, but it's okay because I don't. Did she make the cut last year too? I gotta double check that one. I gotta double-check that one. But we do have some players who could be getting some nod. Hell, even Ray Borrell, if she continues to play as well as she has been similarly to a Kennedy Carter for the Aces, she could get some love for the All-Star selection. So, I mean, you know, we got some players, but I expect our top two with Kelsey Plum and Neko Ogumake to make the All-Star selection. So if we miss, if we get some more, that'll be nice. But we gotta wait and see how that looks. So again, I'm expecting only two of us. And then lastly, ladies and gentlemen, this is the final team that's gonna boast some All-Stars.

Mercury Mainstays And Final Listener Challenge

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The Phoenix Mercury, while they may not have the best record, they are climbing up and they may make the playoff push that I've been expecting. I thought they were gonna be at the bottom of the playoff push, which that could hold true. But Kalia Copper and Alyssa Thomas, they're perennial all-star selections. I expect them to get some love again. Khalia Copper, one of the better versatile two-way wings, right? Pretty scrappy. Might not be the most efficient player at times, but still you gotta love her get up and go. You gotta love her score in prowess. And then Alyssa Thomas, one of the most versatile players. She can play make pretty well. If she could just score a little bit more like smoothly, like a Brianna Stewart or Asia Williams, you know what I'm saying? We might be talking about her as the best player in the game of basketball, to be clear. Like I've always said she's a combo of Braun and Draymond Green. And it's very crazy. Because like, respectfully, this team is still building up or trying to retool with her on the squad and Kalia Copper and Dawana Bonner and their aging too, by the way. But she still gives you all-star production. So again, the Phoenix Mercury, they got Khalia Copper, they got Alyssa Thomas. I expect both of them to make an all-star selection. I don't expect Diwana Bonner or even their Monique. Yeah, I don't know about Monique. Yeah, Diwana, I don't know about Dawana's rotation. Yeah, I'm just expecting two of them to make the all-star selection, personally. But ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude my all-star selection. Again, I gave you 24 women that I have on my listing. I talked about some potential other players that could make the listing as well, too. We'll wait and see what happens. But again, this is my these are my expectations thus far. The only one, like I said, I was a little hesitant around Veronica Burton making it over Chelsea Gray just because Chelsea Gray has been a perennial all-star selection. But I think Veronica Burton has been given the production this season to at least make it a conversation, for sure. But, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end of the episode. So I'm curious, what do you all think about my selections thus far? These are my expectations. But two, did I miss anybody? I gave y'all 24 team or 24 like ladies, but did I miss anybody? Do you have any and I gave other people as well, too. Did I still miss anybody? Let me know your thoughts. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end of the episode. So please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone one about the show. And one about the WNBA and two about my show. My name is Trey. I'm the host of Get a Bucket. I hope you're all having a good one. Take care.