The WNBA is rich in talent. This statement holds the most weight in 2025 when the league is experiencing a massive boom. So much so that the gaps between players are minuscule, to say the least. That makes it increasingly difficult to determine the final All-Stars. However difficult it might be, the fans, the coaches, the media, and the players have come together to finalize the group that will grace the court in Indiana.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier have been named team captains after finishing as the top two fan vote-getters. The 10 players with the highest combined scores became All-Star starters. The reserves were decided by the esteemed coaches of the league, and now we have the entire group of players who will be involved in the blockbuster weekend. While everything seems done and dusted, some players might feel cheated by the final list. As New York Liberty star Jonquel Jones wrote, “Nothing worse than playing like an All-Star and not being one.” Let’s look at the players who will be the most disappointed.
Why is Kayla McBride considered a major WNBA All-Star snub?
McBride has been a worthy number 2 to Napheesa Collier throughout this season was the case last year when she was an all-star. Admittedly, the competition is tougher this year, but she is putting up identical numbers with 14.9 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds this year. She has been even more efficient at 43.3% up from 42% last year. She has been incredibly accurate from the free-throw line, making 94.1% of free throws. McBride joined Hall of Famer Seimone Augustus in 2009 as the second player in league history not chosen as an All-Star after averaging at least 15 points with a true shooting percentage better than 64%. McBride has a plus-minus of 9.4, which is the fourth-best in the league, further underscoring her importance to the Lynx. She is one of the vital pieces for Cheryl Reeve and their quest for the title, and an all-star selection as a reserve seemed imminent, but the coaches disagree.
Should Brittney Sykes and Brionna Jones have made the All-Star roster?
Brittney Sykes was heavily predicted to be the All-Star this season by many outlets, including ESPN. She is having a career year, scoring 17.9 points and 4.6 assists per game. Sykes is involved more in the play than ever before, with 32.1 minutes per game, which is also the most in her entire career. She is leading the youngest team in the WNBA to a potential playoff spot while mentoring the all-star duo of Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron. Many fans believe she deserved the spot over one of the two rookies. While her efficiency is still in question, her output is undeniable despite some of it coming from the free-throw line.
In her first year with the Atlanta Dream, Jones is averaging 14.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. These numbers are all improvements over her 2024 All-Star season with Connecticut. She is also shooting an efficient 51% from the field, maintaining her reputation as one of the league’s most consistent and impactful interior players. What makes her omission particularly striking is that she is the only player in the WNBA this season with at least seven double-doubles who was not selected as an All-Star. Her inside presence has been a key factor for Atlanta, providing both scoring and defensive stability.
Despite these strong numbers, Jones may have been overlooked due to a few contributing factors. Atlanta has received less national attention compared to teams like Indiana or Las Vegas. Additionally, All-Star reserves are selected by WNBA coaches, and this year the selections leaned heavily toward guards and players with greater positional versatility.
Was Natasha Cloud unfairly left off the All-Star list?
Cloud has been one of the revelations for the New York Liberty. She has been the engine of this fast-paced offense on both ends of the court. Cloud averages a team-high 6.2 assists per game, which is also the fourth-best in the league. Cloud also doesn’t lose the ball easily with her third-best assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.17. While her point contributions have been modest, with just 10.1 per game, she has provided some worthy defense.
Her intensity is essential to the way New York plays. Her snub might be controversial, but the player herself has accepted this decision with grace as she wrote, “Coaches prepare for me on both sides of the ball every night. Thankful for the players, media, & fans who held it down for me.”
Coaches prepare for me on both sides of the ball every night.
Thankful for the players, media, & fans who held it down for me
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) July 7, 2025
The Liberty have been growing through a tough patch in the past few games, and Cloud will be essential in the Liberty’s hopes of defending their title.
Is Dearica Hamby the Most Underrated WNBA Star of 2025?
We know Hamby does not care about her selection as she wrote, “Whatever about me…. But taking 2, and NOT including the best player from a below 500 team is crazy.” defending Britney Sykes’ snub. She had a strong case of making it to the list. Her current averages of 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 53.7 percent shooting from the field strongly support her All-Star argument.
Even with those standout numbers, the Los Angeles Sparks’ 6-13 record likely worked against her in the selection process. Still, her importance to the team cannot be overstated. It is difficult to imagine where Los Angeles would be without her leadership and production on the court. If team performance is a deciding factor, the same logic raises questions about Paige Bueckers’ inclusion. The Dallas Wings have an identical record of six wins and thirteen losses, yet Bueckers was selected. Comparing their performances, Dearica Hamby’s numbers are comparable. Her omission as a reserve appears to be an oversight that should have been addressed.
Despite the omissions, it is important to remember that the coaches making these selections are human and view the game through a different lens than fans. While earning an All-Star nod is certainly meaningful, the ultimate goal for players remains leading their teams to success. The level of competition among elite players this season was incredibly high, and the omitted players could take this as fuel to prove the doubters wrong.
The post WNBA All-Star 2025 Snubs: Top Players Who Deserved a Spot but Were Left Out appeared first on EssentiallySports.
