Angel Reese Feels 'Disrespected' by WNBA All-Star Voting

Angel Reese expressed feelings of being “disrespected” after the announcement of the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game starters, which omitted any players from the Atlanta Dream. The WNBA released its list of starting players on Thursday, July 2, following a voting process that combined fan votes (50%), player votes (25%), and media votes (25%). Among the selected players were stars such as A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. Notably, none of the Atlanta Dream’s players made the cut. Reese, known for her strong presence on the court, took to speaking out on behalf of her teammates Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, both of whom have previously earned All-Star honors. She emphasized their contributions to the team’s success and questioned why their efforts had gone unrecognized in the voting process. According to ESPN’s Kareem Copeland, Reese stated, “I expect to be disrespected. For those two though, I think they work so hard and they put a lot of work in, and the way that they’re guarded every game and they [have to] adjust.” She described the absence of Dream players as “a slap in the face.” Despite expressing disappointment, Reese acknowledged the achievements of the players who were selected as starters, calling their recognition “well-deserved.” However, she felt that the lack of representation from the Dream highlighted a disconnect between the team’s performance and the public perception of its players. Reese noted that she had chosen to remain quiet in the media over the past two years due to personal challenges, but she felt compelled to voice her concerns now. Her recent trade from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream in April had been driven by her ambition to secure a championship. Since joining the Dream, Reese has been instrumental in their success, leading the league in rebounds with an average of 11.6 per game and recording 12 double-doubles in her debut season with the team. As the Dream entered the week with a record of 12-7, leading the Eastern Conference, Reese’s impact on the team has been undeniable. Reese is currently a two-time All-Star and is likely to be selected again as a reserve in the All-Star Game. The final selection of the 12 reserves will be determined by the league’s head coaches, with the results set to be announced on Tuesday, July 7. This decision will provide further clarity on whether the Dream will have representation in the All-Star Game despite the initial omission of their players from the starting lineup. The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled to take place at Chicago’s United Center on Saturday, July 25. Details regarding the weekend’s events, including exhibitions and other activities, will be available closer to the date. While the outcome of the reserve selections remains uncertain, the controversy surrounding the initial voting results has sparked discussions about how players are recognized for their contributions beyond just statistical performance. Reese’s comments reflect a broader conversation within professional sports about the visibility and acknowledgment of athletes whose efforts might not always translate into immediate accolades. Her advocacy for her teammates underscores the importance of recognizing the collective effort behind individual successes. As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, the discourse around fair representation and recognition of all players becomes increasingly significant.