The Biggest Snubs from the 2026 WNBA All-Star Selections

 

The 2026 WNBA All-Star player pool is complete, but as with every year, several deserving players were left off the list.

Some of the Most Deserving Non-Selections

Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury

One of the few players close to averaging a triple-double, it's a complete shock that Alyssa Thomas isn't an All-Star this year period. After the 2026 WNBA All-Star Starters were announced, many WNBA fans were surprised to find out that AT wasn't on the list, let alone not an All-Star at all. Regardless of how the voting finished, one cannot deny the force that Thomas is for the Mercury. Thomas currently averages 14.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Such dominance in every area is why fans are not only confused but also infuriated at the matter.

Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings

An underdog, but also a deserving player to say the least, both Dallas Wings fans and WNBA fans were also uncertain about Azzi Fudd not finding a spot as a 2026 WNBA All-Star. Although her stats don't show it completely, Fudd has played a crucial role in the Wings' success so far this season. While Fudd has found her rhythm on offense recently as she averages 13.2 points per game, fans and critics often forget about a game-changing piece in her skillset: defense. Fudd recently broke a record that lasted 29 years as she has the most steals and blocks by a rookie in their first 20 games since 1997. It is through her impeccable defense and reads on opposing offenses that Fudd has recorded 30 steals and 25 blocks in her first 20 games in the W. In the league rankings, Fudd is ranked fourth in total steals per game (1.8), third in total steals (37), and fifteenth for both total blocks (20) and blocks per game (0.9). Fudd is also ranked first in each of these four categories among rookies. With each of these things in mind, Azzi Fudd has accomplished all of this as a 5'11" guard. So, if you've learned anything, not only is Azzi Fudd's defense extraordinarily underrated, but she also deserves to be an All-Star for every tool in her skill set.

Brittney Sykes, Toronto Tempo

Although she is currently ruled out and dealing with an injury, Brittney Sykes is also one that fans believe was snubbed from being a 2026 All-Star. Prior to her injury, Sykes was averaging 20.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game for the Toronto Tempo. Making the switch to sign with the expansion team in free agency for their inaugural season was risky for Sykes as they were starting from scratch. That said, it could be considered the best decision of her career as she has taken on one of the lead roles alongside first-time All-Star Marina Mabrey. In the 15 games that Sykes competed in before she was injured, she had already put up three 30-point games with a career-high 38 points twice. This is dominance. Keeping in consideration that she has been out for a few weeks and she may be sidelined even longer, it isn't unheard of that Sykes isn't a 2026 WNBA All-Star, though one could raise an argument for the way she has showed up and showed out for the Toronto Tempo, leading them to success.

  • A Second Chance: Could Injuries Open the Door for Snubs?

  • While many fans are bummed about the three players previously discussed and several others not making the All-Star team, not all hope is lost. Taking into consideration that Kelsey Plum is still sidelined and may not even clear her reevaluation in the coming weeks, those who missed the list could make their way in as a replacement. If this happened, Plum would keep her honor as a 2026 WNBA All-Star, though her spot on either Team Weatherspoon or Team Cooper would be replaced by a player who was "next in line" to be an All-Star. Given that Plum is a guard, this likely rules out any chance that players like Alyssa Thomas could fill the void because AT is a forward. That said, although it is not certain, could we see Azzi Fudd or a healthy Brittney Sykes make their way into the 2026 WNBA All-Star player pool?

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