When Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier were named captains for the 2025 All-Star Game, it was a veritable statement of where the league stands and where it is headed. One side has the record-smashing sophomore from the Fever. The other heralds Collier, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year awardee from the Lynx. And while they may have taken two very different paths to the same stage, they are jointly determining where women’s basketball is headed.
Needless to say, Clark’s rise in the pro ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. As the league’s most popular player by far, her All-Star Game captaincy was inevitable — and validated by a precedent-setting 1.3 million votes. She has drawn capacity crowds and sparked conversations — both good and bad — far beyond the box scores. And even as she has been at the center of just about every WNBA storyline this season, she has handled the pressure — and opportunity — of superstardom with aplomb.
Meanwhile, Collier has built her legacy through quiet excellence. An Olympic gold medalist, perennial All-Star, union executive, and entrepreneur headlining Unrivaled in the offseason, she represents the WNBA’s growing professionalism and player empowerment. Certainly, her selection as skipper transcends her sterling showing on the court and highlights the respect she has earned off it. She is the voice of a generation that has pushed for bigger salaries and better benefits, not to mention a more pronounced platform.
Significantly, the differences of the leading vote getters showed up in the All-Star draft. Clark used her first pick on Fever teammate Aliyah Boston, emphasizing chemistry and loyalty. Her roster — rounded out by such notables as A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, Kelsey Mitchell, and Gabby Williams — is young, dynamic, and built for speed and shooting. It’s a team that mirrors her style: fast-paced, flashy, and exciting.
Collier’s draft preferences told a different story. She leaned heavily on familiarity, choosing fellow Huskies alumnae Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers and Owls teammates Allisha Gray, Courtney Williams, and Skylar Diggins. She likewise valued experience, taking veterans Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, and Kelsey Plum. All told, her team reflects a commitment to continuity, culture, and leadership.
Then came the moment that made headlines: the coach swap. Evidently, Clark and Collier agreed beforehand to get Lynx tactician Cheryl Reeve and Liberty mentor Sandy Brondello to switch sides. Whether it was a subtle message or borne of playful gamesmanship, the move captured everything the All-Star Game is about — player control, public narrative, and power dynamics.
Beyond the draft board and coach drama (manufactured or otherwise), however, the All-Star Game is simply an affirmation of the WNBA’s momentum. Clark represents a new wave of attention, particularly from fans and casual observers watching the league for the first time. Meanwhile, Collier reflects its steady, if relatively quiet, growth over the last half decade. One exemplifies the spark, the other the structure.
When the game tips off in one and a half weeks at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, it will, no doubt, be a celebration of talent. At the same time, it will underscore the league’s evolving identity. The spotlight may shine brightest on Clark, but stalwarts like Collier are the reason it burns in the first place. And, together, they’re not just All-Stars; they’re architects of the WNBA’s future.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
