WNBA: Skylar Diggins and five more should-be All-Star reserves

The 2025 WNBA All-Star starters have been announced, but we still have to fill out the rest of the two rosters that will be selected by captains Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark.

While fans, players, and the media voted for the starters, it’s the 13 WNBA head coaches who will decide the bench players. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players, but they will vote for three guards, five frontcourt players and four players at either position, regardless of conference affiliation.

Here are six players who were left out of the starting lineup but are deserving of an All-Star spot.

Skylar Diggins, guard, Seattle Storm

Diggins should already be on the team. She is averaging 18.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Thanks to her stellar play, the Storm have been one of the better teams in the WNBA.

Diggings’ season-high this year came against her former team, the Phoenix Mercury, on June 7, when she scored 26 points as the Storm won, 89-77.

Alyssa Thomas, forward, Phoenix Mercury

Thomas has had an MVP-caliber year for the Mercury. She joined Phoenix in the offseason and is averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game.

Her game is so versatile—she’s a true all-around player. Thomas’ plus-minus is off the charts. The Mercury are +81 when she is on the court this season. Only Satou Sabally has a better number at +114, and she’s already a WNBA All-Star. Thomas should be joining her.

Kelsey Plum, guard, Los Angeles Sparks

Plum is the bona fide star for the Sparks. She’s doing everything she can to change the culture in Los Angeles. Plum is averaging 20.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. She is the team leader in points, assists and minutes played.

The Sparks haven’t found much success, but Plum has been a bright spot and deserves to play in Indianapolis.

Kelsey Mitchell, guard, Indiana Fever

Should the Fever have three players in the All-Star Game? Sure, why not! Mitchell has been one of the best guards in the WNBA. With her stepping up, Indiana has been able to continue winning game, despite Caitlin Clark’s absence.

Mitchell is averaging 19.3 points per game and has played in every single game for the Fever.

Dearica Hamby, forward, Los Angeles Sparks

Plum’s arrival has not slowed Hamby down in the slightest. She has found a way to fit in and stand out even with a new ball-dominant player joining the team.

Hamby is averaging 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and two steals per game. Those numbers are very close to her stats last year when she earned her third All-Star appearance. Considering her play in 2025, she should earn a fourth one.

Brittney Sykes, guard, Washington Mystics

Sykes has been a solid WNBA player her entire career. She has made a living as a great defender and consummate professional everywhere she goes. This season, her offensive game has exploded. She’s scoring 18.6 points per game, dishing out 4.8 assists, and shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. These are all career-high marks.

Her defense is as strong as ever, averaging 1.1 steals per game. It’s been a long journey, but Sykes is leading the rebuild in Washington, and the nine-year vet deserves to make her All-Star debut this year.