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Sylvia Fowles and Napheesa Collier Named 2021 All-Stars

The pair of Minnesotan Olympians are officially named WNBA All-Stars... again.

By Leo Sun
Los Angeles Sparks v Minnesota Lynx Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Although this wasn’t necessarily a surprise by any means, it should not take away from the acknowledgement and celebration that both Sylvia Fowles and Napheesa Collier deserve. They are both having career seasons at nearly opposite ends of their professional spectrum. The pair will share the stage together as part of the WNBA’s “USA Women vs. Team WNBA” format where all-stars that were also named on the USA Olympic team will be pitted against the rest of the WNBA all-stars. Obviously both Fowles and Collier will be slotted on USA Women.

Big Syl is averaging an impressive 17.4 points per game and a team-high 9.9 rebounds per game (3rd in league) all while leading the league with 2.4 steals per game (career-high) and .635 field goal %. Syl is also tied for second in league with 1.8 blocks per game. She’s having a historic season in year 14 and is certainly the front-runner for DPOY. This is Syl’s 7th all-star appearance.

Phee is making her 2nd appearance as an all-star in just her 3rd season in the W (WNBA All-Star game was not held during the 2020 bubble season). She’s helped guide the Lynx to a 7-4 record since she joined the line-up this season and is averaging a team & career-high 17.6 points per game. Collier’s presence on both ends of the court has been one of the consistent positives in an up-and-down season for Minnesota this year and is next in line as one of the many Lynx legends.

Notable snubs? Of course, Nneka Okgumike comes to mind, as there had already been a lot of chatter of why she was left off Team USA. Couple that with her omission from this year’s list of all-stars and you have yourself a national talking point despite her current injury (She has only played 5 games this season). Another name that I’ve seen pop up in the mentions is 2nd year guard, Sabrina Ionescu. The fan-favorite had a brilliant start to the season, but has really struggled to regain form after sustaining an injury earlier this month.

What are your thoughts on any other potential snubs? Share in the comments below, or just give Syl and Phee the flowers they deserve!

Full press release:

https://www.wnba.com/news/rosters-set-for-att-wnba-all-star-2021-on-july-14/

Highlights: