The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game will feature rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as teammates for the first time as Team WNBA attempts to take on Team USA on July 20. It will be the second time the game has been played in the Olympic year format.
The WNBA All-Stars team could certainly use Ezi Magbegor, one of the league’s best rim protectors and perhaps the biggest All-Star snub. The Seattle Storm star was left off the roster, which was determined by a combination of fan, player, media and coach votes. There weren’t many clear-cut snubs on the roster, but the top ones all have one thing in common: defense.
Ezi Magbegor, Storm
Magbegor had the most solid case for what would have been her second All-Star nod. The fifth-year center is a defensive standout for the Storm’s third-ranked defense (93.8 defensive rating). The 2023 All-Star ranks third in blocks (2.2 bpg), seventh in rebounds (8.8 rpg) and 10th in steals (1.6 spg).
Defense often isn’t valued as highly by voters as offensive output, but she hasn’t been bad on that side of the ball, either. She’s averaging 13.4 points on 50.5% shooting and 90.9% from the line (ranked fifth). She’s a leading Defensive Player of the Year candidate, third in defensive win shares and fourth in overall win shares. Of the Her Hoop Stats top 10 players in win shares, she’s the only one not to play in the All-Star Game.
The league has not released the full list of 36 eligible candidates, so Magbegor may not have been in the voting pool for coaches to consider. She could take her shot at eliminating Team USA in Paris. Magbegor is likely to be named to the Australian national team this month.
Smith is the No. 11 player on the Her Hoop Stats win shares rankings. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said last week before the Commissioner’s Cup championship game that Smith should receive All-Star votes.
“She’s a very natural talent, as a basketball player,” Reeve said. “I think as far as an All-Star, I love these stories where it takes time in our league. It takes time. Five, six years of playing. You start to gain your confidence and you start to really understand your identity. That’s where [Alanna’s] bee.”
Smith is in her sixth season and first with the Lynx, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions who have the league’s best defense (91.3 rating). Her 2 blocks per game rank fourth behind Cameron Brink (2.3), A’ja Wilson (2.3) and Magbegor. She also shoots 45% from 3-point range, fifth best in the league. Smith is also in contention for the Australian national team.
Laney-Hamilton is Liberty’s star defender, more often than not locking down the opponent’s best perimeter player. She’s been named to the All-Star team just once in 2021, which was her first season in New York.
She missed a few games during the All-Star voting period, which could have hurt her chances, and is averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals. But her 13.2 plus-minus leads all players, and she has flashed her strength in games against star shooters, including the Liberty’s wins over the Fever and Clark.
Other possible candidates
Bridget Carleton was named to the Canadian national team earlier Tuesday, as was Washington Mystics rookie sensation Aaliyah Edwards. But it’s hard to say whether either has done enough to beat out the All-Stars above them.
Washington has not placed any players on the All-Star teams. The Dream, Sparks, Wings and Sky each have one. The Fever have placed three for only the second time in franchise history, according to Across the Timeline.
Phoenix Mercury point guard Natasha Cloud is averaging 7.3 assists per game, second only to Alyssa Thomas (7.5). She’s also one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. But the Mercury’s offense is middle-of-the-pack, and outside of steals (1.7 spg), none of Cloud’s other stats jump out. Storm point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith is in a similar position. DiJonai Carrington, the Suns’ star defensive forward who stepped up to starter this year, was also a consideration.
