On Tuesday night, the much-anticipated WNBA All-Star Draft took place, marking a special moment in women’s professional basketball. During the event, Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier took turns selecting their teams, beginning with the starters and concluding with the reserves.
However, what truly made headlines was what followed the player selections. For the first time in WNBA history, the two All-Star captains exchanged coaches after the draft. This unprecedented move added a fresh twist to the All-Star narrative. Caitlin Clark chose New York Liberty’s head coach Sandy Brondello to lead her team. The moment didn’t go unnoticed—Brondello’s reaction was full of emotion.
Later that night, the New York Liberty secured a hard-fought 87-78 win over the Las Vegas Aces. During the post-game press conference, Brondello shared her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. “It’s an honor to join Caitlin’s All-Star team,” she said. Brondello also expressed her happiness at the chance to coach her own player, Sabrina Ionescu, who was selected to Clark’s squad.
In a lighthearted moment, Brondello of WNBA added, “I got traded… My son hit me. I’ve made history, this is incredible. I got traded as a coach. I have the opportunity to coach Sabrina and Caitlin Clark in Indianapolis… We’re going to go out and have fun.”
Sandy Brondello on All-Star coach trade: “I got traded. My son hit me up. I’ve created history, this is awesome. I got traded as a coach. I get to coach Sabrina and Caitlin Clark in Indianapolis… we’ll go out there and have fun.” (Q: Andrew)
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) July 9, 2025
Surprising Picks in the WNBA Draft
The coaching exchange wasn’t the only twist. The draft itself featured several surprising selections that sparked conversation among fans. Caitlin Clark stayed loyal to her team, choosing Indiana Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. On the other side, Collier followed a similar path by picking Courtney Williams, her teammate from the Minnesota Lynx.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see the action. The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is set for July 19 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With so many storylines building up, this promises to be one of the most exciting events of the WNBA season.
