Our very own Dominique Malonga from the Seattle Storm just got snatched up by Team Coop for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game, sending a jolt of Emerald City pride right through the draft selections announced Wednesday afternoon. This isn't just a nod, it's a massive shout-out for our Storm, confirming what we already know about the talent brewing right here in Seattle. The league's top players are assembling, and one of ours is right in the thick of it, ready to show out.
The All-Star Draft Kicks Off With Major Star Power
The buzz around the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game hit different Wednesday, with honorary GMs Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon taking the reins to draft their squads. Remember that fan vote? Paige Bueckers from the Dallas Wings absolutely crushed it, snagging the No. 1 spot, with Caitlin Clark from the Indiana Fever right behind her at No. 2. A simple coin flip put Bueckers on Team Coop and Clark on Team Spoon, setting up an epic clash from the jump. When it came to the actual draft picks, Weatherspoon had the first overall choice, and honestly, was there any other move? She went straight for the Las Vegas Aces' powerhouse, A’ja Wilson. No surprises there, just pure, dominant talent. Cooper wasn't about to be outdone, though, firing back with the New York Liberty's own force of nature, Breanna Stewart. Talk about a couple of foundational picks! For the starting fives, Team Coop is rolling with Bueckers, Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell from the Indiana Fever, Natasha Howard representing the Minnesota Lynx, and Gabby Williams from the Golden Valkyries. On the other side, Team Spoon's starters are Clark, Wilson, Olivia Miles from the Minnesota Lynx, Aliyah Boston from the Indiana Fever, and Jessica Shepard from the Dallas Wings. You can already feel the heat, right?Our Storm Star Joins A Stacked Team Coop
Then it was time for the reserves, and this is where things really got spicy for us here in the Emerald City. Cooper picked first again, and she didn't hesitate, immediately grabbing the Atlanta Dream's dynamic Angel Reese. Weatherspoon wasn't sleeping on Atlanta either, picking Rhyne Howard to bolster her bench. But for us? The big news dropped when Team Coop locked in our very own Seattle Storm phenom, Dominique Malonga! Can we get a cheer for that? It's a huge nod to her game, and we know she's gonna bring that Seattle fire to the court. Seriously, the full Team Coop roster is stacked: Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, Gabby Williams, Angel Reese, Marina Mabrey from Toronto Tempo, our girl Dominique Malonga from the Seattle Storm, Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks, Jackie Young from the Las Vegas Aces, and Sonia Citron from the Washington Mystics. And don't sleep on Team Spoon either: Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Aliyah Boston, Jessica Shepard, Rhyne Howard, Jonquel Jones from the New York Liberty, Courtney Williams from the Minnesota Lynx, Kiki Iriafen from the Washington Mystics, and Nneka Ogwumike from the Los Angeles Sparks. It's going to be an absolute showdown! So, the stage is set, the teams are picked, and the countdown is on! We're talking July 25, 8:30pm/ET, live on ABC, all the way from Chicago. Our Storm just had a nail-biter of a game, falling 90-95 to the Chicago Sky, but this All-Star news for Malonga? That's a huge win, a serious bright spot looking ahead. The chatter is already starting, with some folks predicting Angel Reese could snag the MVP, maybe even setting a new rebounding record while leading Team Coop to victory. That's a big call, but you know what? When Dominique Malonga steps onto that court, draped in Team Coop's colors, you can bet she's going to make a statement. This isn't just an All-Star game, it's a chance for our Storm to shine on the national stage, even if it's just one player holding it down. Get ready to cheer your lungs out, Seattle, because our girl is about to put on a show!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.