Image: A’ja Wilson (Mark Black/AP)
The WNBA All-Star game takes place in July, but with the season ongoing, all-star voting has begun.
The WNBA has some talented players, and many of them are off to great starts. And come the All-Star game, fans will see many of these players in action. The WNBA released its first returns and already, there are some great players in the mix. Here are the top five vote getters for the WNBA All-Star game.
1.) A’ja Wilson
A’ja Wilson is one of the WNBA’s top stars, and with the Las Vegas Aces playing so well, her position on the list is no surprise. Wilson averages 20.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals (she is tied for first in the league in this category).
The Aces are playing well this year, and they currently have the best record in the league. They are 8-1 with their only loss coming from the Connecticut Sun, who they beat in last year’s WNBA Finals.
Wilson is the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. She is bound for another great season, and fans are taking notice. And as a two-time All-Star captain (and a four-time All-Star overall), she will most likely add a third time to her resume. Wilson had 35,968 votes in the first return.
2.) Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart is also one of the league’s top players. She started the season in style as she started the season with a double-double. She finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The New York Liberty lost that first game, but the following game (her first game in New York) she finished with 45 points. Stewart averages 23.4 points and 10.4 rebounds, as the Liberty have a record of 6-3.
Stewart was in the MVP race with Wilson last season, and there is a strong chance this season will be the same. Stewart had 32,926 votes in the first return. She was captain last season along with Wilson. If she remains in the top two of the votes, she will be captain again.
3.) Brittney Griner
Brittney Griner is doing well in her return. She averages 20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals. She scored a season-high 29 points on Sunday but in her next game, she suffered a hip injury. Griner is currently day-to-day with the injury.
Griner is an eight-time All-Star, with her first time being in 2013. After all that she has been through, it will be great to see her on the floor during an All-Star game. And as it stands, there is a good chance that will happen. Griner had 28,387 votes.
4.)Aliyah Boston
Aliyah Boston looks like the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year so far. She averages 14.7 points and 7.9 rebounds. She has had some great games this season, including a near triple-double in her last game. She finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Boston was the first pick in this year’s draft, and she is living up to the expectations. And already in her young career, she can add All-Star to her resume. She had 23,594 votes in the first return.
5.) Jackie Young
Jackie Young is off to a great start. She averages 19.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Her consistency on offense has been a huge factor in the Aces’ success this season, and if she continues, there is a good chance she joins her teammate (or possibly teammates) in the All-Star game. It is well deserved. Young had a total of 23,217 votes in the first return.
All-Star voting ends on June 21. The captains and starters will be announced a few days later. There is still time to get votes in, and in the end, it will be interesting to see where everyone finishes