Angel Reese SNUBBED from WNBA All-Star Starters? Behind the Controversial Decision & Fan Outrage

CHICAGO — On June 30, 2025, the WNBA announced its official starters for the upcoming All-Star Game — and almost immediately, controversy erupted. Among the most discussed exclusions: rising star Angel Reese, who, despite a standout rookie season with the Chicago Sky, did not make the starting lineup. Fans flooded social media, analysts weighed in, and the league’s All-Star voting system once again came under public scrutiny.

This report unpacks the numbers, context, and fan sentiment surrounding what many are calling the biggest snub of the season.

📣 The Announcement: Who Made the Cut?

The 2025 All-Star Game starters, as determined by a weighted voting system (50% fans, 25% media, 25% players), include some of the most prominent names in women’s basketball:

Guards:

Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
Paige Bueckers (Connecticut Sun)
Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)
Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)

Frontcourt:

A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
Satou Sabally (Dallas Wings)
Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm)
Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever)

Notably missing from the frontcourt list was Angel Reese, despite averaging a double-double across her rookie season — currently recording 12.4 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals per game.

🗳️ Voting Breakdown: A Case of Uneven Recognition

The All-Star voting formula places heavy emphasis on fan input, but it’s not the only determining factor. Here’s how Angel Reese fared:

Voting Group
Reese’s Ranking (Frontcourt)

Fans
5th

Media
12th

Players
12th

Average Total
Outside Top 10

Even though she ranked in the Top 5 among fans, Reese’s lower placement among players and media dragged her down. In comparison, Aliyah Boston, who placed just above Reese in all categories, clinched the final starting spot in the frontcourt.

📢 Fan Reactions: “She Deserves Better!”

The WNBA’s social media accounts were immediately flooded with comments:

“How is Reese not a starter when she’s literally averaging double-doubles every game?”

“If this were a popularity contest, Reese would be in. Clearly media bias is real.”

“Angel Reese being snubbed shows how much politics go into this. She’s outplaying most of the frontcourt!”

On Reddit and X (Twitter), fans dissected the implications:

Some suggested the media and players were punishing Reese for her “villain” persona, cultivated during her LSU run and now amplified in the WNBA.
Others noted that the league may be prioritizing “established names” or players from higher-ranking teams.

Still, a vocal contingent acknowledged that while Reese is popular, she may not have gained enough respect from peers yet to earn a starter position.

📊 Performance vs. Perception

Let’s compare Reese’s performance to some of the selected starters:

Player
PPG
RPG
FG%
Team Record

Angel Reese
12.4
12.6
43%
9–8 (Sky)

Aliyah Boston
11.9
7.4
52%
10–7 (Fever)

Nneka Ogwumike
13.8
6.1
55%
11–6 (Storm)

Reese leads all rookies in rebounds and is among the league’s top five rebounders overall. Statistically, her impact is undeniable — especially considering Chicago’s early-season struggles.

But voters may have valued efficiency, team performance, and seniority — areas where Boston and Ogwumike edge her out.

🎯 A Rookie’s Roadblock — or a Launchpad?

While Reese’s exclusion may sting, many analysts see this as a temporary setback:

The All-Star reserves will be announced on July 6, and Reese is widely expected to be among them.
Historically, multiple future Hall-of-Famers missed starting nods in their rookie years — including A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.

Her fans — and even critics — agree: Angel Reese is likely to be a multi-time All-Star in the years ahead. If anything, this year’s snub could fuel her competitive fire.

📺 What This Means for the WNBA

The controversy raises broader questions about:

1. The Weighted Voting System

Is it balanced? While it prevents All-Star status from becoming a pure popularity contest, it may also diminish the voices of the fans — especially when emerging stars like Reese outperform expectations.

2. Media & Player Influence

Reese’s off-court persona—outspoken, unapologetic, polarizing—may have influenced her rankings among media members and peers. The conversation about what qualifies as “respect” in a women’s league is increasingly relevant.

3. Visibility for the League

Whether you love her or not, Angel Reese generates attention. Her snub sparked trending hashtags, video debates, and broader discourse around fairness, recognition, and marketing in women’s sports.

🔮 What’s Next?

The All-Star Draft will be televised on July 10, where team captains (likely A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark) will choose their squads.
Reese’s inclusion as a reserve could spark another wave of discussion, especially depending on how coaches vote.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Sky continues its push for playoff positioning, with Reese playing a central role both on the court and in headlines.

✅ Final Thoughts

Angel Reese’s All-Star snub was not just about basketball. It exposed tensions between performance and perception, newcomers and veterans, and fans and the system. Still, her meteoric rise shows no signs of slowing — and if history is any indication, this omission may become just another chapter in the legend of Angel Reese.

🔗 Related Reading

WNBA All-Star 2025: Full starter list and fan vote analysis
Angel Reese’s Final Voting Ranks Exposed
“Angel Reese needs to recognize her lack of popularity” – Fan Reactions
The LA Spotlight Isn’t Too Bright for Kelsey Plum
A Brief History of WNBA All-Star Snubs