The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game roster had to be adjusted after injuries affected key players, leading to Brittney Sykes being named as a replacement for Caitlin Clark. The change was confirmed following the draft held last Tuesday, where captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier selected their teams.
Initially, Clark, who held the first overall pick, chose Aliyah Boston from her Indiana Fever squad, while Collier took Minnesota Lynx’s Courtney Williams in the second round. Despite opening the possibility for trades after the draft, both captains declined to swap players but agreed to exchange coaches to better align with their teams. As a result, Sandy Brondello will now coach Team Clark, and Cheryl Reeve will lead Team Collier.
Finalizing Rosters Amid Injury Replacements
With Clark sidelined due to injury, Brittney Sykes of the Washington Mystics was added to Team Clark’s lineup. Similarly, Brionna Jones from the Atlanta Dream stepped in for Satou Sabally. These substitutions came as the league prepared for All-Star Weekend, scheduled for June 18-19 in Indianapolis—the Fever’s first time hosting the event in franchise history.
The festivities begin on June 18 with the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest, culminating in the All-Star Game on June 19. The rosters feature a blend of seasoned stars and emerging talents, with starters emphasized in bold during the official draft.
Team Clark’s Updated Lineup and Leadership
Team Clark, coached by Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty, includes:
Brittney Sykes, Guard, Mystics (replacing Caitlin Clark)
Aliyah Boston, Center, Fever
Sabrina Ionescu, Guard, Liberty
A’ja Wilson, Forward, Aces
Brionna Jones, Forward, Dream (replacing Satou Sabally)
Kelsey Mitchell, Guard, Fever
Gabby Williams, Forward, Storm
Sonia Citron, Guard, Mystics
Kiki Iriafen, Forward, Mystics
Jackie Young, Guard, Aces
Kayla Thornton, Forward, Valkyries
This roster blends strong offensive guards and versatile forwards, giving Team Clark a competitive edge despite the necessary replacements.
Team Collier’s Complete Roster and Coaching
Team Collier is led by Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx and features:
Napheesa Collier, Forward, Lynx (captain)
Breanna Stewart, Forward, Lynx
Allisha Gray, Guard, Dream
Nneka Ogwumike, Forward, Storm
Paige Bueckers, Guard, Wings
Courtney Williams, Guard, Lynx
Skylar Diggins, Guard, Storm
Angel Reese, Forward
Alyssa Thomas, Forward, Mercury
Kelsey Plum, Guard, Sparks
Rhyne Howard, Guard, Dream
Collier’s team combines solid veteran presence and dynamic playmakers, supported by her experience as vice president of the WNBPA.
Significance of the Fan Vote and Coaching Swap
The captains earned their roles through a record-breaking fan voting process, with Clark receiving 1,293,526 votes and Collier 1,176,020—both totals surpassing the combined votes of the top 30 players from the previous year. This high engagement reflects growing fan interest and support for the league’s rising stars.
The coaching swap between Brondello and Reeve was a practical decision after the initial placement based on team records resulted in a confusing setup. Since the Lynx had the best record but Clark had the most votes, Reeve was originally assigned to Team Clark. Trading coaches streamlined the arrangement, matching Brondello with Clark and Reeve with Collier, creating clearer leadership dynamics.
“I don’t know if this is in the rules, I don’t really care, but I think we already discussed we are gonna trade coaches,”
Clark said.
“Phee’s gonna take her coach. Sandy Brondello, let’s get it, it’s gonna be amazing. Sorry WNBA if that’s not in the rules.”
—Caitlin Clark, All-Star Captain
Collier’s Advocacy Linking Unrivaled and WNBA Negotiations
Napheesa Collier used the All-Star draft platform to spotlight the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league she co-founded with Breanna Stewart, emphasizing its success as a possible model for the WNBA’s future. During the event, Collier wore Unrivaled apparel and frequently mentioned the league, even referencing the Lunar Owls, her team within the 3-on-3 format.
The Unrivaled league, which completed its inaugural season in March, offered a new approach to player exposure and television deals. Collier’s involvement in its growth runs parallel to her role as a WNBPA vice president amid ongoing collective bargaining talks with the WNBA. These talks have yet to yield an agreement, underscoring the league’s current tensions.
[It’s not a conflict of interest] yet,
Stewart told ESPN about her and Collier’s dual roles with the union and Unrivaled.
I think it’s just a little bit different. The things we can take from Unrivaled are the TV deal and how huge and incredible that was, but also the numbers behind it, like having three games per week. People were constantly paying attention to it. … Whether it’s Phee or me or someone else at Unrivaled, we understand that’s the standard now. That’s what we expect when we come back to the W.
—Breanna Stewart, Co-founder of Unrivaled and WNBPA Executive
Hosting the All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis
Scheduled for mid-June, the All-Star Weekend will bring the WNBA’s elite talents to Indianapolis, marking the first time the Fever franchise hosts the event. The weekend will include fan-favorite competitions before the main game, offering a showcase that blends skill, excitement, and community engagement.
This event provides a vital platform highlighting standout athletes like Brittney Sykes, who now steps into the spotlight as a key replacement. It also underscores continuing developments in player representation, league growth, and fan enthusiasm, setting an important tone for the WNBA’s future trajectory.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Brittney Sykes out?
A. The Washington Mystics announced on X: “Brittney Sykes is out due to an injury in her lower right leg.”