Washington Mystics players Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have been named reserves for the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game, as announced by league coaches Tuesday. Both Citron and Iriafen earned All-Star selections as rookies last season, marking their second consecutive appearances.
Joining the Mystics in the reserve category are three players from the Atlanta Dream: Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray. Reese previously expressed that Howard and Gray deserved spots as starters in the game. The Los Angeles Sparks also had two players named reserves, with veterans Nneka Ogwumike and Kelsey Plum receiving nods. Ogwumike’s selection adds to her substantial All-Star resume, as she now has 11 appearances, tying her with Diana Taurasi for second-most in WNBA history, behind Sue Bird’s 13.
Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo will make her first All-Star appearance this season, contributing to the expansion team’s presence in the game. Mabrey recently matched a WNBA record by scoring 53 points in a single game last month.
Other reserve selections include Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty, Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx, Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces, and Dominique Malonga from the Seattle Storm.
In related league news, the Las Vegas Aces made roster adjustments by cutting guard Chennedy Carter and signing rookie guard/forward Justine Pissott from the Indiana Fever.
Elsewhere in the WNBA, the Dallas Wings secured an 88-77 victory over the New York Liberty, improving their record to 14-8. Jessica Shepard delivered a standout performance with a triple-double, scoring 22 points while adding 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Shepard’s achievement marked her as only the second player in WNBA history to record three triple-doubles in a single season, joining Alyssa Thomas. Breanna Stewart led New York with 29 points and nine rebounds in the loss, with the Liberty now standing at 13-9.
In NBA developments, Donovan Mitchell agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $273 million, according to a source familiar with the agreement who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement. Mitchell had two seasons remaining on his current deal but opted to secure the extension earlier. The contract includes a $76 million player option for the 2030-31 season and a full trade kicker. This extension ranks as the fourth-largest in NBA history in total value. Mitchell, 29, played a pivotal role in leading the Cavaliers to their first conference finals appearance since 2018, averaging 27.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds during the regular season.
Elsewhere in the NBA, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson underwent surgery on his left wrist and is expected to return in time for New York’s title defense next season. Despite the injury, Brunson maintained a strong presence during the team’s playoff run, posting an average of 32.6 points in the NBA Finals.
Finally, Kyle Lowry formally announced his retirement on July 7, a date symbolic of his jersey number, 7. The Toronto Raptors simultaneously announced they will retire Lowry’s No. 7 jersey in honor of his contributions, including helping Toronto capture the 2019 NBA championship.