When the Chicago Sky visit the Seattle Storm on Friday night, a pair of newly named WNBA All-Stars will battle in the post.
Seattle’s Nneka Ogwumike earned her ninth All-Star nod, while Chicago’s Angel Reese joins Indiana’s Caitlin Clark as one of two rookies selected to participate. Ogwumike and Reese will be All-Star teammates on July 20 in Phoenix, but first they’ll oppose each other.
Ogwumike and Olympian Jewell Loyd have the Storm (13-6) on a four-game winning streak, with all four coming by double-digit margins. Loyd’s 20.2 points per game leads the team, while Ogwumike is second in points (17.2) and rebounds (7.3).
In their last game, Loyd poured in 26 points and Ogwumike added 14 as Seattle blasted Dallas 95-71 on Monday.
“We’re locked in,” Loyd said after the game. “Whether we’re tired or trying to find our rhythm, we get a lot of that from the defensive end. … We’re able to bounce off each person’s momentum and use that to carry us.”
Chicago (7-11) has gained much of its momentum from Reese, who posted her 11th consecutive double-double in the Sky’s 85-77 victory over the host Atlanta Dream on Tuesday. Reese had 12 points and a career-best 19 rebounds, and the team’s top scorer, Chennedy Carter, pumped in 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
Reese, who leads the WNBA at 11.8 rebounds per game, said she was delighted to be named an All-Star.
“I’m just so happy,” said Reese. “I know the work I put in, coming into this league. So many people doubted me and didn’t think my game would translate. … I can’t thank my teammates and coaches enough for just believing in me.”
“We’re all incredibly proud of her,” Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said of Reese. “The accomplishment is big. It’s huge for all of us because she’s a team player.”
The Storm bested the Sky 77-68 on May 28 in Seattle.
–Field Level Media
