WNBA: Storm’s Skylar Diggins-Smith, Ezi Magbegor headline All-Snub workforce

There are solely 144 roster spots within the WNBA, which makes it an elite membership. And the All-Star Sport, with 24 spots, is the elite of the elite. It’s an honor to only be thought of for participation. Listed below are 5 gamers who might make a sound case for showing on this yr’s sport in Phoenix

Marina Mabrey (Chicago Sky)

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Marina Mabrey is among the greatest long-distance shooters within the WNBA. Final season was one of the best of her profession, a minimum of statistically, however she actually shined within the EuroLeague, the place she took ÇBK Mersin to the Closing 4 because the workforce’s main playmaker. She averaged 17.5 factors and 5.3 assists in Europe’s high competitors, and was the principle motive the Turkish workforce performed so effectively. This season for the Chicago Sky, she’s capturing much less, however she’s averaging profession highs in rebounds (5.0) and assists (4.3) per sport, proving she’s keen to do no matter it takes for the Sky to win. Sure, the All-Star Sport is about particular person stars, however athletes who sacrifice their individualism must also be rewarded for his or her efforts. And Mabrey is on the high of that listing.

Skylar Diggins-Smith (Seattle Storm)

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Ain’t nothing like momma’s cooking, and this mother is again from her second maternity go away to dish out some advantageous delicacies. Skylar Diggins-Smith’s 6.3 assists per sport this season is her profession excessive, and contemplating she has made the All-Star workforce six occasions in her profession, that’s no small achievement. In her first season with the Seattle Storm, Diggins-Smith is working among the best groups within the league, regardless of the workforce’s primary stars taking part in with one another for the primary time. She’s a confirmed veteran chief and—indubitably—might maintain her personal towards Staff USA in Phoenix.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (New York Liberty)

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After already making the case for one more All-Star snub, the Connecticut Solar’s DiJonai Carrington, again when she nonetheless had an opportunity of constructing the workforce, comparable arguments can be utilized when speaking about Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. Like Carrington, the New York Liberty ahead is an elite defender. In contrast to Carrington, she already has one All-Star look below her belt and has made the All-Defensive Staff twice. Contemplating her previous achievements, possibly the bar was increased for her? Perhaps protection isn’t marketable? However, when you’re Staff USA and getting ready for the Olympics, don’t you wish to face high defenders? Or, possibly Laney-Hamilton was overshadowed by the opposite three Liberty gamers—Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones—who we’ll see in Phoenix? The actual fact of the matter is, Laney-Hamilton is averaging 12.7 factors, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per sport on one of the best workforce within the league, all whereas serving because the workforce’s high defender. She deserves an All-Star spot.

Alanna Smith (Minnesota Lynx)

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Previous to the season, one would anticipate Dorka Juhász to be on this spot because the participant to make the leap and turn out to be the third choice on the Minnesota Lynx; nonetheless, Alanna Smith’s play merely has been too good to disregard. She’s the one who permits Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride to shine on offense by setting screens, offering second-chance factors and, extra importantly, stretching the ground. She’s changing 46 % of her 3s, averaging 11.8 factors, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a pair of.0 rebounds per sport. The Commissioner’s Cup winners wouldn’t be the place they’re in the present day with out Smith and the Australian massive deserved a ticket to Phoenix.

Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm)

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Ezi Magbegor is the third elite defender on this listing. Her averages of 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.6 steals per sport are all profession highs. She’s additionally scoring 13.4 factors and dispensing 2.6 assists per sport. Final yr, lesser numbers have been sufficient for her to make her first All-Star workforce whereas taking part in on a nasty Seattle Storm workforce. Now, with Seattle again within the championship image, one would assume that she’d be a surefire coaches’ decide. Hopefully, she gained’t be deterred by the snub and can proceed to make her case for Defensive Participant of the Yr.