Cheryl Reeve has raised concerns over the 2025 WNBA All-Star selections, as the Minnesota head coach is left questioning the league’s criteria after only two of her players were named to the team, despite the Lynx’s commanding season.
With a league-best 17-2 record, the Western Conference side have emerged as clear title contenders, sitting five games ahead of their nearest rivals. However, only Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams were chosen to represent them on July 19.
And Reeve, who was selected as one of the All-Star Game head coaches, could only express disappointment at the apparent snub, although she’s happy for her girls that managed to make the cut.
“I don’t know why only Phee [Collier] and Courtney are All-Stars when you have the best team in the league by a few games,” Reeve said. “There are teams that are below us in the standings by a lot that have three All-Stars.
“Historically, teams at the top get a minimum of three, oftentimes four. Really disappointing. Really, really happy for Courtney.”
Collier, who is widely considered the frontrunner for this season’s MVP award, has been named as one of the captains for the All-Star Game. She continues to demonstrate elite performance, recently recording 21 points and seven rebounds in a win over the Chicago Sky.
Whilst Williams was selected as a reserve and was notified personally by the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert. The call amusingly went unanswered initially, with Williams later informing Reeve about the good news.
However, Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith were left off the All-Star roster – a decision Reeve finds puzzling given their contributions to the league’s most successful team during the ongoing 2025 campaign.
Indiana Fever get three selections despite average record
Adding another layer to Reeve’s frustration is the inclusion of three players from the Indiana Fever, who currently hold a 9-9 record despite the valiant efforts of Caitlin Clark’s supreme talent at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Clark was not only selected but named as one of the captains, joining Collier in leading the All-Star squads, which makes sense considering the 23-year-old’s rising reputation, which has become a focal point of WNBA media coverage.
However, her team’s middling performance raises questions about how selections are being made. By contrast, the Seattle Storm, with a 12-7 record, also saw three players selected.
Reeve will coach Clark’s All-Star team this weekend, while her own star player, Collier, leads the opposing team under the guidance of New York Liberty’s coach, Sandy Brondello.
And the irony of coaching against her own MVP candidate isn’t lost on Reeve, especially in light of what she views as overlooked talent on her roster and she isn’t alone either. Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks also voiced her disappointment after not being selected, despite a strong individual season.
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