The 2025 WNBA season is heating up not just on the court but also in the fan voting for the upcoming All-Star game, set for July 19 in Indianapolis. Former Oregon stars Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally are making strong cases for their inclusion, alongside rising stars like Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. The race for All-Star honors is shaping into a thrilling contest, reflecting both stellar individual performances and the growing popularity of women's basketball.
Sabrina Ionescu, who is having a career-best season, currently ranks seventh in the All-Star voting with 234,684 votes. Her impressive stats back up the fan enthusiasm: she is sixth in the league with a 20.4 points per game average, tied for fourth in three-point makes per game at 2.8, eighth in assists with 5.2 per game, and seventh in steals at 1.8. Meanwhile, Satou Sabally, a two-time All-Star, holds the 12th spot with 175,611 votes, just ahead of Angel Reese, who is 13th in the fan voting.
Sabally has been a powerhouse for the Phoenix Mercury, averaging 19.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over 14 games. She made an immediate impact with a record-setting debut, scoring 27 points in Phoenix’s season opener win over Seattle. Her consistent high-level play has helped the Mercury post one of the top records in the league, currently standing at 10-4 after a recent victory against the New York Liberty.
That June 20 matchup in New York was a family affair of sorts, with former Oregon teammates facing off. Sabally and the Mercury edged out Ionescu’s Liberty 89-81, pushing Phoenix into sole possession of third place in the WNBA standings. Sabally contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, while Ionescu responded with 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Adding to the Oregon connection, Nyara Sabally, Satou’s younger sister and also a Liberty player, scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds in the game.
The Liberty, who started the season with an impressive 9-0 run, have recently lost two of three games, dropping them to second place. Despite the setbacks, Ionescu’s performance remains a bright spot, highlighting her leadership and skill on the court. The trio of former Ducks—Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Nyara Sabally—have carried forward the legacy of their college success, which included a Final Four appearance in the 2018-19 season and a near-national title run in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season.
Alongside these established stars, Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky is rapidly gaining recognition. In just her second WNBA season, Reese became the second-youngest player ever to record a triple-double, a feat that has energized the Sky’s fan base and sparked the "Vote Angel Reese" campaign. Currently ranked 13th in fan voting, Reese’s growing dominance and popularity make her a genuine contender for All-Star honors.
The fan vote accounts for 50% of the All-Star roster selection, with current players and media making up the remaining half. The top ten vote-getters will start the game, with the two highest vote-getters serving as team captains. Leading the pack are Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who tops the leaderboard with approximately 516,000 votes, and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, close behind with 485,000 votes. The rest of the top ten includes league stars such as A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Sabrina Ionescu, Paige Bueckers, and Kiki Iriafen.
Sabally’s and Ionescu’s presence in the top tier of voting reflects their outstanding seasons. Sabally’s impact on the Mercury has been significant, with her scoring, rebounding, and defensive contributions driving the team’s success. Ionescu’s all-around game continues to impress, particularly her ability to score efficiently, distribute the ball, and generate steals. Meanwhile, Reese’s rapid ascent in the league highlights the fresh talent emerging in the WNBA, adding to the excitement around the All-Star game.
The upcoming All-Star event in Indianapolis promises to be a showcase of the league’s best talent, blending veteran excellence with rising stars. Fans will be watching closely as the vote totals evolve, eager to see which players will earn the coveted starting spots and who will be selected as reserves by the league’s head coaches. The July 19 game not only celebrates individual achievement but also the growth and increasing competitiveness of women’s professional basketball.
As the season progresses, the battles on the court and in the voting booth continue to captivate fans. The rivalry between former Oregon teammates Ionescu and Sabally, the emergence of Angel Reese, and the dominance of top vote-getters like Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier all contribute to a dynamic and engaging WNBA season. This blend of talent and fan engagement underscores the league’s rising profile and the deepening passion for women’s basketball nationwide.
With the All-Star game less than a month away, the intensity of the competition is only set to increase. Players are not just competing for team success but also for the honor of representing their peers and fans on one of the league’s biggest stages. For Ionescu, Sabally, Reese, and others, the 2025 WNBA season is shaping up to be a defining moment in their careers, filled with remarkable performances and the chance to shine among the sport’s elite.
