The WNBA announced its All-Star starters, and for the first time since 2024 two former Notre Dame standouts have earned the honor. Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx and Jessica Shepard of the Dallas Wings were selected as starters, marking a rare reunion of alumni at the league’s mid‑season showcase.
Star Power Returns to the All-Star Stage
Miles, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 draft, has quickly become a cornerstone for Minnesota, averaging 18.7 points and 5.7 assists per game while setting rookie marks for single‑game three‑pointers and points in a half. Shepard, a 2018 national champion with the Fighting Irish, now anchors Dallas with a league‑leading 11.5 rebounds per contest and recently recorded a 22‑point, 20‑rebound, 10‑assist triple‑double, the second such performance in WNBA history.
Their selections come amid a wave of recognition for other Irish alumni who are also poised to receive All‑Star nods. Marina Mabrey, who tied the WNBA scoring record with 53 points in a game, Sonia Citron, who posted a career‑high 32 points in the longest contest in league history, and Jackie Young, a top‑five playmaker with 6.8 assists per game, are all expected to be named reserves.
The All‑Star weekend, scheduled for Chicago, will celebrate the WNBA’s 30th season and serve as a homecoming for many of the league’s most dynamic talents. Fans can look forward to a celebration that highlights both the growth of the sport and the enduring legacy of Notre Dame’s basketball program.