Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream has redefined tenacity on the boards so far in her professional basketball career. Reese led the WNBA in rebounding in her first two seasons in the league, including setting the total rebounds (446) and rebounds-per-game (13.1) records during her rookie season.
Now in her third season, the 6-foot-4 forward is once again at the top of the league in rebounds per game (11.6), with Jessica Shepard of the Dallas Wings on her tail (11.5). The Saint Frances Academy graduate is also averaging a career high in points per game (14.8). Despite the on-court success and off-the-court fame, the two-time WNBA All-Star was recently delivered unfortunate news.
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On Thursday, the WNBA announced the starters for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game, and Reese's name was absent from the list. Included on the list were typical stars, such as four-time MVP Award winner A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, and the rookie sensations from the 2025 WNBA Draft, No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers and No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles.
Notably absent from the list is the WNBA's leading rebounder, Reese. The WNBA All-Star Game will take place at the United Center in Chicago on July 25, with the 3-point contest and skills challenge held on Friday, July 24. Just because Reese was not named a starter does not mean she won't be named to the team.
"2026 All-Star Game starters: A'ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell," Underdog WNBA wrote on X. "Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, Jessica Shepard, Gabby Williams, Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard."
Atlanta will travel to CareFirst Arena to face the Washington Mystics on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
