The 2025 WNBA All-Star Recreation is a chance for Indiana’s “it” basketball gal to shine.
No, not that one. (Get nicely quickly, CC.) We’re speaking concerning the unique “it” hooper from the Hoosier State: Skylar Diggins. Over a decade in the past, the South Bend native surprised and starred for the Combating Irish. She’s again in Indy this weekend, making her eighth WNBA All-Star look as a member of Staff Collier.
And Diggins, who Collier referred to as “essentially the most aggressive individual I do know” when she chosen her within the All-Star draft, is probably going decided to not exit Indiana with a loss.
It’s straightforward for All-Star video games to devolve into uncompetitive affairs, the place emblem 3s (and 4-point photographs) are launched with fun, uncontested finishes on the rim are allowed with impunity and fancy passes are permitted with out pause. But, don’t anticipate Diggins, nor her Staff Collier teammate Alyssa Thomas, to abide assumptions.
That terrorizing tandem of competitiveness will come to play, giving Staff Collier the sting over Staff Clark in Saturday night time’s showdown (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
Whereas Josh Felton analyzed the strategic benefits that would profit Staff Collier, it’s a aggressive mindset, exemplified by Diggins and Thomas, that may carry Staff Collier to victory. Whereas neither earned beginning spots, the 2 reserves can change the tenor of the sport. If Staff Clark grabs an early lead, anticipate Diggins and Thomas to inject Staff Collier with depth, speaking smack as they halt any highlight-hunting transition performs from Staff Clark earlier than exploiting unfocused protection by aggressively attacking the basket for unglamorous however gritty buckets.
Per @TheAthleticWBB‘s ‘Nameless Participant Ballot’, Alyssa Thomas was voted the “Greatest Trash Talker,” receiving 40% of the votes
“She smiles and talks s—, that’s the loopy half, it’s psycho stuff, she’s loopy, man.”
The Engine, 1 of 1 in *many* respects pic.twitter.com/5BiXBDQrZi
— PHNX Mercury (@PHNX_Mercury) July 14, 2025
One other Staff Collier reserve likewise can infuse the All-Star affair with further vitality: Angel Reese. Everybody is aware of that the WNBA’s finest sophomore owns the glass, possessing a rebounding prowess that may earn further factors for Staff Collier. Courtney Williams was rightfully excited to study that Reese was her teammate, as she will be able to confidently fireplace off middies with out concern of lacking as a result of she is aware of Angel will seize the rebound. Reese, nonetheless, can do extra than simply board. After securing any errant photographs by Staff Clark, she will be able to captain the break, discovering the likes of Allisha Grey, Kelsey Plum or Kayla McBride for transition triples.
Along with all that energetic off-the-bench effort, Staff Collier’s first 5 can present the exact play required to execute effectively down the stretch of a detailed. The captain herself, alongside together with her fellow UConn Huskies, epitomize the sort of fundamentally-sound hoops that makes Geno grin. Collier can unleash her professional footwork earlier than swishing the end. Breanna Stewart can rise for an unguardable midranger. Paige Bueckers will arrange teammates for wideopen scores with no wasted motion. Though a Stanford Cardinal, Nneka Ogwumike likewise takes care of enterprise in a no-fuss, highly-effective style.
Mix all of it, and Staff Collier has the correct stability of competitiveness, loopy, consistency and funky to return out on high on Saturday night time.
