Unforgettable Moments From All-Star Weekend History
WNBA All-Star is one of the best weekends in all of sports. Fans get to see the lighter side of player personalities, watch out-of-the-box competitions, and see the best players in the league go head-to-head. Here are some of TOGETHXR’s favorite moments from previous WNBA All-Star Weekends.
The First Ever All-Star Game
Year: 1999
Although the WNBA tipped off in 1997, the league didn’t hold an All-Star game until 1999. The game that started it all set a pretty high bar with a national anthem performance from superstar Whitney Houston. Lisa Leslie was named MVP and led the West team to a 79-61 win over the East squad.
Bright lights on the big stage
Year: 2004
The players themselves are generally the biggest draw to All-Star Weekend, but in 2004, the game's location might have gotten close to stealing the spotlight. The 2004 game occurred at one of the most unique places a professional basketball game could happen: Radio City Music Hall. It was an Olympic year, so Team USA took on a squad of WNBA players before winning a gold medal in Athens, Greece.
The First Ever All-Star Game
Year: 1999
Although the WNBA tipped off in 1997, the league didn’t hold an All-Star game until 1999. The game that started it all set a pretty high bar with a national anthem performance from superstar Whitney Houston. Lisa Leslie was named MVP and led the West team to a 79-61 win over the East squad.
Bright lights on the big stage
Year: 2004
The players themselves are generally the biggest draw to All-Star Weekend, but in 2004, the game's location might have gotten close to stealing the spotlight. The 2004 game occurred at one of the most unique places a professional basketball game could happen: Radio City Music Hall. It was an Olympic year, so Team USA took on a squad of WNBA players before winning a gold medal in Athens, Greece.
Undrafted to MVP
Year: 2019
The WNBA is one of the most challenging leagues to find a roster spot in — so much so that many draftees get waived. So making a WNBA roster and earning All-Star honors as an undrafted player was impossible… until Erica Wheeler.
Wheeler wasn’t drafted in 2013 when she finished playing college ball at Rutgers, but two years later, she fought her way onto a WNBA roster. In 2019, she became the first undrafted player to be crowned MVP of the All-Star Game, leading to arguably the most emotional moment in All-Star weekend history. Watch Erica’s reaction to earning the honor here.
Sylvia's Swan Song
Year: 2022
Universally beloved center Sylvia Fowles announced in 2022 that she’d retire at the end of the season. When her final All-Star Game rolled around, Fowles ensured it was one fans would never forget. On the first possession, Fowles knocked down a three-pointer — a shot she had only made once previously in her WNBA career. Later in the first half, Fowles knocked the ball away, gathered the steal, and went all the way to the rim, slamming down a dunk. Players from both teams and the crowd went wild, savoring every second of her stellar performance.
Undrafted to MVP
Year: 2019
The WNBA is one of the most challenging leagues to find a roster spot in — so much so that many draftees get waived. So making a WNBA roster and earning All-Star honors as an undrafted player was impossible… until Erica Wheeler.
Wheeler wasn’t drafted in 2013 when she finished playing college ball at Rutgers, but two years later, she fought her way onto a WNBA roster. In 2019, she became the first undrafted player to be crowned MVP of the All-Star Game, leading to arguably the most emotional moment in All-Star weekend history. Watch Erica’s reaction to earning the honor here.
Sylvia's Swan Song
Year: 2022
Universally beloved center Sylvia Fowles announced in 2022 that she’d retire at the end of the season. When her final All-Star Game rolled around, Fowles ensured it was one fans would never forget. On the first possession, Fowles knocked down a three-pointer — a shot she had only made once previously in her WNBA career. Later in the first half, Fowles knocked the ball away, gathered the steal, and went all the way to the rim, slamming down a dunk. Players from both teams and the crowd went wild, savoring every second of her stellar performance.
tiny Trophy Troubles
Year: 2022
No one can forget one of the most meme-able moments of All-Star history. When Commissioner Kathy Engelbert presented Kelsey Plum with the pint-sized MVP trophy, the internet was ablaze with tweets and jokes. Later on, Engelbert pranked KP by presenting her with an even smaller trophy to carry on the bit. This trophy moment was the gift that kept giving…the internet more jokes.
Sabrina Shoots the Lights Out
Year: 2023
The 2023 All-Star Weekend three-point contest lit the basketball world ablaze when Sabrina Ionescu stepped up and drained all but three of her forty attempts. Her effort is the best three-point contest appearance in history—in the WNBA or NBA. Ionescu’s inability to miss from beyond the arc paved the way for another historic All-Star Weekend moment for the NBA when she competed against Steph Curry during the men’s three-point competition. In the words of Ionsecu — if you can shoot, you can shoot.
tiny Trophy Troubles
Year: 2022
No one can forget one of the most meme-able moments of All-Star history. When Commissioner Kathy Engelbert presented Kelsey Plum with the pint-sized MVP trophy, the internet was ablaze with tweets and jokes. Later on, Engelbert pranked KP by presenting her with an even smaller trophy to carry on the bit. This trophy moment was the gift that kept giving…the internet more jokes.
Sabrina Shoots the Lights Out
Year: 2023
The 2023 All-Star Weekend three-point contest lit the basketball world ablaze when Sabrina Ionescu stepped up and drained all but three of her forty attempts. Her effort is the best three-point contest appearance in history—in the WNBA or NBA. Ionescu’s inability to miss from beyond the arc paved the way for another historic All-Star Weekend moment for the NBA when she competed against Steph Curry during the men’s three-point competition. In the words of Ionsecu — if you can shoot, you can shoot.