Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark split in WNBA All-Star draft
Cynthia Cooper landed Paige Bueckers, Teresa Weatherspoon got Caitlin Clark, and the Hall of Fame GMs traded a little draft-room spice.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark will be on opposite sides when the WNBA All-Star Game tips off in Chicago, ESPN reported, after Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon drafted the 2026 rosters Wednesday.
Cooper’s team won the opening coin flip, which came with a major prize: Bueckers, the Dallas Wings point guard who led fan voting. Clark, the Indiana Fever guard who finished second in fan voting, was assigned to Weatherspoon’s team.
The two Hall of Fame GMs kept the broadcast lively. Weatherspoon praised the competitive edge of her roster, according to ESPN, and Cooper fired back with the question: “But can you score enough points?”
Cooper, a two-time WNBA MVP, said on the broadcast that Bueckers brings shooting, scoring from multiple spots and leadership. Weatherspoon said she was trying to build a roster with playmaking, scoring, rebounding and defense, calling it a “well-balanced basketball team.”
Cooper’s draft plan, ESPN reported, put scoring first, with rebounding also on the checklist. She also said she wants pace because an All-Star setting leaves little room for half-court structure or play-calling.
The rosters
After Clark landed on Team Spoon, Weatherspoon had the first pick from the remaining starters and took four-time MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces.
- Team Spoon starters: Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx, Aliyah Boston of the Fever and Jessica Shepard of the Wings.
- Team Spoon reserves: Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream, Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty, Courtney Williams of the Lynx, Kiki Iriafen of the Washington Mystics and Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks.
- Team Coop starters: Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart of the Liberty, Kelsey Mitchell of the Fever, Natasha Howard of the Lynx and Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries.
- Team Coop reserves: Angel Reese of the Dream, Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo, Dominique Malonga of the Seattle Storm, Kelsey Plum of the Sparks, Jackie Young of the Aces and Sonia Citron of the Mystics.
ESPN reported that Stewart, a two-time MVP, was Cooper’s first pick after the automatic Bueckers selection. Reese, a two-time All-Star, was the first reserve taken.
The game’s fresh faces are limited. ESPN reported that Miles is the only rookie in the All-Star Game, while Shepard, Malonga and Mabrey are first-time All-Stars.
Chicago takes the stage
The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 25 at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls. The WNBA 3-point Contest and WNBA Shooting Stars event are set for July 24 at Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky.
Becky Hammon, coach of the Aces, will coach Team Coop. Cheryl Reeve, coach of the Lynx, will coach Team Spoon, according to ESPN.
The teams will also be playing for more than bragging rights. ESPN reported that a $100,000 prize pool will support two Chicago organizations that work to keep girls in sports, with $70,000 going to the organization paired with the winning team.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.