WNBA News: All-Star Game and Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier Named WNBA All-Star Game Captains
Former University of Iowa star Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx power forward Napheesa Collier have been named captains of the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game after receiving the highest number of votes from fans nationwide. The matchup between Team Clark and Team Collier will take place at the Indiana Fever’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on July 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC.
Clark garnered a total of 1,293,526 fan votes while Collier received 1,176,020, showing strong fan support for these two young stars in the women’s professional basketball scene. The remaining eight starters will be decided based on a combined vote from fans (50%), players (25%) and media (25%), with the results to be announced Monday on ESPN during the NBA’s free agency special starting at 7 p.m.
“It’s great for fans to be involved and have some influence on this game, and having it in their hometown makes it even more special,” Clark said of his captaincy. Twelve reserves will be selected by the league’s coaches and the rosters will be announced on the WNBA’s digital and social platforms on July 6 at 12 p.m.
Both Clark and Collier will select their All-Star lineups from the pool of starters and reserves during “WNBA Countdown” on July 8 at 7 p.m. before the New York Liberty take on the Las Vegas Aces on ESPN. This is Clark’s second All-Star selection in her second season in the WNBA, while Collier has five All-Star selections since being drafted in 2019.
Clark is currently averaging 18.2 points and 8.9 assists per game but has missed the Fever’s last two games with a groin injury, while Collier leads the WNBA in scoring with 24.5 points per game and is fourth in rebounds with 8.4.
Candace Parker Honors Los Angeles Sparks’ No. 3 Retirement Ceremony
In an emotional ceremony at Crypto.com Arena, women’s basketball legend Candace Parker officially had her Los Angeles Sparks No. 3 jersey hung from the ceiling during Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky. Parker, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA draft out of the University of Tennessee, spent 13 of her 16 seasons in LA and led the Sparks to a championship in 2016 when she was named WNBA Finals MVP.
At age 39, Parker becomes the third Sparks player to have her number retired, joining Hall of Famers Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11). The five-time All-Star has always dreamed big and has shown that throughout her impressive career in professional basketball.
“I represent a family that always told me I could do and be anything, and I’m really proud of that kid,” Parker said in an emotional speech at the ceremony. Parker, who wore an orange outfit in honor of her college days, took the court during the first intermission and received a standing ovation from the entire crowd.
Fans were given yellow jerseys with the words “That’s our Ace” and a specially designed No. 3 to commemorate the momentous occasion. This was the first of two retirement ceremonies for Parker, as Chicago will also retire her number later this summer after she wins a championship with the Sky in 2021.
Parker, who won two WNBA MVP awards with the Sparks in 2008 and 2013, is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists with 1,331 and is second in rebounds and points in team history. Throughout her career in LA, she averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists along with 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per game, numbers that demonstrate her all-around versatility and huge impact on the team.