PHOENIX MERCURY

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner named 2023 WNBA All-Star starter

Jun 25, 2023, 11:35 AM | Updated: 6:29 pm

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was named as a starter on Sunday for the 2023 WNBA All-Star game.

All-Star Weekend is set to take place July 14-15 in Las Vegas, the city’s third game in five years.

It has been a down year for the Mercury, who also parted ways with head coach Vanessa Nygaard on Sunday after a 2-10 start to the year.

Griner has averaged 19.1 points per game on 61.8% shooting (the highest percentage of her career), 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.7 assists in nine games during her first year back following her detainment in Russia.

The center leads the team in points, shooting percentage, blocks and offensive rating.

This will be Griner’s ninth All-Star game appearance in 11 seasons played in the league.

The two All-Star teams will be captained by reigning MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, who both received the most fan votes.

Rookie Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever, Satou Sabally of Dallas and Nneka Ogwumike of Los Angeles round out the frontcourt starters.

Las Vegas teammates Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, Seattle’s Jewell Loyd and Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale will start in the backcourt.

The four guards and the six frontcourt players were ranked by position within each of the three voting groups: fan votes, player votes and media panel votes.

The league’s coaches will then select 12 reserves for the game. Coaches could not vote for their own players.

There will be a WNBA All-Star Team Selection Special on July 8 to select the teams.

Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) slaps hands with teammates during player introductions prio...

Associated Press

Mercury’s Diana Taurasi taking time with decision on retirement timing

Diana Taurasi is still mulling over her decision whether to play another season in the WNBA or retire.

13 days ago

Kahleah Copper...

Alex Weiner

Mercury’s Kahleah Copper named to 2024 All-WNBA Second Team

Phoenix Mercury wing Kahleah Copper earned Second Team All-WNBA honors for the 2024 season, her first in the Valley. 

19 days ago

Brittney Griner...

Anne-Marie Iemmolo

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner joins Unrivaled 3-on-3 league

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has joined Unrivaled, a women's professional three-on-three basketball league. 

1 month ago

Natasha Cloud #0 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball as she is guarded by Alanna Smith #8 and Co...

Arizona Sports

Natasha Cloud named to WNBA All-Defensive Second Team

Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud has been named to the 2024 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team.

1 month ago

Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots a free throw after a defensive three seconds violati...

Bailey Leasure

Diana Taurasi documentary in the works

A documentary of Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi is in the works by Dan Le Batard's media company Meadowlark Media.

1 month ago

Brittney Griner...

Anne-Marie Iemmolo

Diana Taurasi receives ovation after fouling out in what could be last game

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi received a standing ovation from fans at the Target Center as she exited Game 2 to conclude what could be the last game of her WNBA career.

1 month ago

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner named 2023 WNBA All-Star starter