SB Nation has released its official All‑WNBA First and Second Team selections for the 2026 season. The voter, a long‑time WNBA awards analyst, explained that the guiding principle was to reward winning teams while still recognizing standout individual performances.
First‑Team Selections
The First‑Team roster features Olivia Miles of the Las Vegas Aces and A’ja Wilson of the Chicago Sky as clear‑cut choices. Miles has been the premier player on the league’s top‑seeded team, while Wilson captured the MVP award and led the league in both scoring and shot‑blocking.
Joining them are Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm and Paige Bueckers of the Washington Mystics. Both players carried heavy workloads for lower‑seeded playoff clubs, with Stewart ranking seventh in league scoring and Bueckers sitting at fifth.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever rounds out the First Team. Although the Fever did not finish among the top four seeds, Clark’s third‑leading scorer status and her role as the team’s primary playmaker earned her the nod over Kelsey Mitchell.
Second‑Team Selections
Kelsey Mitchell, also of the Indiana Fever, lands on the Second Team after missing the First‑Team cut. Mitchell posted one of the most impressive scoring seasons in recent memory, averaging 25 points per game while shooting 51.4% from the field and 45.2% from three‑point range.
Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries is recognized for her all‑around impact, despite being the third‑leading scorer on a deep roster. Shakira Austin, the Valkyries’ dominant rim protector and leading scorer, also makes the Second Team, edging out fellow Mystics guard Sonia Citron.
Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces earns a spot as a top‑tier backup, averaging 19.3 points on high efficiency for a third‑seeded squad. Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream is honored for her rebounding prowess—leading the league in rebounds—and her 16.4 points per game, which rank 18th overall.
Notable Omissions and Possible Third‑Team Candidates
The voter noted several players who narrowly missed the ballot. Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever, a defensive stalwart, was left out due to the Fever’s lower seed and the presence of both Clark and Mitchell. Kayla McBride of the Minnesota Lynx, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream, and Sonia Citron of the Washington Mystics were also mentioned as strong contenders.
Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries, an elite defender who earned First‑Team All‑Defense honors, was considered for the Second Team but ultimately fell behind Young and Mitchell.
Voter’s Philosophy
The analyst emphasized a commitment to representing each of the eight playoff teams on the All‑WNBA selections. This approach meant that players from teams with weaker records, such as the Fever, faced a higher bar for First‑Team inclusion, even when their individual statistics were outstanding.
While the voter acknowledged the difficulty of crafting a perfect ballot, the selections aim to balance team success with individual excellence, reflecting the competitive spirit of the 2026 WNBA season.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
