by April Marble
The speculations that A’ja Wilson would become a captain for the WNBA All-Star game are no more after finishing second in All Star voting behind the Washington Mystics’ Elena Delle Donne.
In her sophomore season, A’ja Wilson wasted no time developing into one of the league’s top performers and is on a rocketship to stardom.
Last year, Wilson was unanimously voted the league’s top rookie after averaging 20.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.
Through 15 games this season, Wilson is averaging 16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, with a usage rate of 24.6%, a field goal percentage of 49.7%, averages 2.3 assists per game, and holds a plus/minus average is 4.1.
Team Delle Donne vs. Team Wilson will also feature fellow Aces Liz Cambage and Kayla McBride — both making their third All-Star appearance.
Despite her seemingly slow start with the Aces, Cambage resembles the leading scorer she once was with each game noting failing to reach double-digit point in her 14 starts. She’s averaging at 15.6 points per game, and has become a key component of the Aces success.
McBride is averaging 15.3 points this year on a career-high 48.2 percent shooting — including 48.2 percent from 3-point distance — and averaging a career-high 4.9 rebounds per game, and will likely participate in the events’ three-point competition.
Wilson and Delle Donne will draft the All-Star Game rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves. Delle Donne has the first pick of the starters, and Wilson will pick first for the reserves.
The 12 reserves for game, selected by the league’s head coaches, will be announced on Monday, July 15.
The 2019 WNBA All-Star Game will be played on Saturday, July 27 at the Mandalay BayEvents Center in Las Vegas, home of the Aces, and will be televised live by ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Featured Image: David Becker/NBAE/Getty Images (via Sports Illustrated)
