It’s never been easy to make the WNBA All-Star Game. And in recent years, it’s only grown more difficult.
Of course, there are a handful of generational players at the top of the league who will inevitably fill up most of the available spots. And there even are more first-timers making serious cases. The league is overflowing with talent, and that’s led to some incredibly crowded ballots.
But there’s always room for new names, and right now, these are the WNBA players with the best odds to make their first-ever appearances at 2026 All-Star Weekend.
Marina Mabrey: 53 Reasons (Toronto Tempo)
2026 WNBA Stats: 21.2PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 45.9% FG, 40.3% 3PT
The 3-point shooting from Marina Mabrey this season has been pretty close to evocative.
That was true even before she tied the single-game scoring record, but her magnum opus further illustrates the point. Mabrey was pulling up from Ottawa against the Sparks, and it made no difference. It’s been the same story all year. From a standstill, off movement, off the dribble — none of that’s mattered. In 2026, the rule is easy to remember: If the ball leaves Marina Mabrey’s hands, it’s more than likely going in. A trip to Chicago is more than warranted.
Confidence: 9/10
Jessica Shepard: Completely Full Stat Sheets (Dallas Wings)
2026 WNBA Stats: 14.3 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 5.4 APG, 58.8% FG, 0.0% 3PT
Generally speaking, racking up triple-doubles at a higher rate than anyone in the league is enough to earn a trip to the WNBA All-Star Weekend. And Jessica Shepard’s done precisely that — in addition to maintaining stunning efficiency.
She’s been a skeleton key for the Wings' transition offense. A forward who can grab tough rebounds and immediately generate easy opportunities for Dallas with her vision, and her game in the half-court has been just as valuable. Shepard’s equal parts elite connector and cost-effective offensive hub, and any player who can be described as both of those things is too good to be watching the festivities from home.
Confidence: 9/10
Olivia Miles: Historic Rookie Season (Minnesota Lynx)
2026 WNBA Stats: 18.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 51.9% FG, 32.8% 3PT
It almost feels like cheating to include her, but barring some kind of supernatural event, Olivia Miles will make her first WNBA All-Star appearance in July. The obvious nature of that statement may kill the excitement, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
Miles has picked defenses apart with constant rim pressure as well as the vision to take advantage of any defensive misstep. And even if she wasn’t in the midst of one of the best rookie seasons in league history, her live-dribble creativity alone would make her a worthy addition to the weekend. Her skillset is simply designed for this kind of stage.
Confidence: 10/10
Carla Leite: Playmaker Appreciation (Portland Fire)
2026 WNBA Stats: 15.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 5.7 APG, 43.5% FG, 41.0% 3PT
There’s something about watching Carla Leite run a pick and roll that just puts you at ease. It’s a pervasive comfort that’s difficult to explain.
Portland’s left-handed floor general has an acute understanding of two of the most important and underrated aspects of the point guard position: angles and pace. Leite knows when to slow down and when to suddenly speed up, and she immediately capitalizes on any opening she creates by manipulating her tempo, whether it’s a driving lane or a passing window.
Put that all together and it looks like a chess grandmaster stoically rearranging the board.
Confidence: 6/10
Veronica Burton: Winning Matters (Golden State Valkyries)
2026 WNBA Stats: 12.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 5.4 APG, 38.2% FG, 33.8% 3PT
Last season Veronica Burton finished Top 10 in the MVP voting but missed the 2025 WNBA All-Star game. And while there aren’t precise stats to capture the novelty of that, it feels safe to assume it hasn’t happened often.
Beyond righting a past wrong, Burton’s foundational contributions to the Valkyries more than justify an All-Star selection this season. Her smothering defense and elite ball control have been critical to Golden State’s more methodical approach. And whenever they’ve needed tough buckets in big moments, she’s been there to generate them. Any player who contributes that significantly to winning basketball games deserves to be an All-Star.
Confidence: 7/10
Azzi Fudd: Midseason Momentum (Dallas Wings)
2026 WNBA Stats: 13.6 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 48.5% FG, 38.4% 3PT
It isn’t easy to make the WNBA All-Star Game as a rookie. And when Dallas was easing her into her professional career, it didn’t look like Azzi Fudd was going to get the volume of opportunities required to pull it off. However, that’s changed as of late.
Over the past few weeks, Fudd has put up multiple eye-popping stat lines, and she’s done it without making the usual rookie mistakes. She’s a two-way weapon that’s naturally fit into the Wings attack. And if she keeps producing like this, it’s difficult to imagine a world where she isn’t in the Windy City on July 25th.
Confidence: 7/10
Dominique Malonga: Sheer Talent (Seattle Storm)
2026 WNBA Stats: 17.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 50.9% FG, 40.9% 3PT
There are two things working against Dominique Malonga. The first is the Storm being near the bottom of the WNBA standings. While team performance doesn’t directly affect anyone’s eligibility, it can limit visibility. And the time she missed early in the season with a concussion won't help either.
Nevertheless, when Malonga’s been on the floor, she’s looked like a harrowing vision of the future game. The 20-year-old has the fluidity, skill, and athleticism of an elite center, and if she does make the game, she’ll look right at home.
Confidence: 6/10
Jordin Canada: Nonstop Flawless Passing (Atlanta Dream)
2026 WNBA Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 7.0 APG, 46.6% FG, 34.0% 3PT
This year's All-Star ballot will be overloaded with guards who’ve put up wild numbers, and Jordin Canada won’t exactly be able to stand toe-to-toe with them in scoring. But as a pure point guard, there aren’t many players sharper than Canada.
Atlanta’s show-runner is the personification of possession control. She picks more pockets than anyone outside of her backcourt partner, finds her teammates at an elite rate, and her assist to turnover ratio is the best in the league among starters. While her resume might not be eye-catching enough to get the nod, but she’s earned it regardless.
