These five women are more than All Stars, they’re the embodiment of Black excellence on and off the court!
From game changing rookies to seasoned vets, they carry the legacy of those who paved the way while creating space for the next generation. They remind us that when we show up fully—on the court, in the boardroom, in the community—we change the game!
Kiki Iriafen
Kiki blends skill with smarts as a rookie standout for the Washington Mystics, switching between guard and wing with ease, dishing dimes and grabbing boards like a veteran. Off the court she’s finishing her bachelor’s in design engineering at Stanford and now pursuing a master’s in entrepreneurship and innovation at USC, all while mentoring kids in STEM through Coach Foundation initiatives. It’s rare to see a freshman impact games and classrooms at the same time, but Kiki makes it look effortless!
Skylar Diggins
Skylar moves the game and the culture as a seven-time WNBA All-Star and proud Notre Dame alum. A mom of two, she hosts the “Shoot 4 The Sky” basketball camps for grades 2–12, serves as a guest broadcaster for the Phoenix Suns, and uses her voice on ESPN to spotlight childhood obesity and maternal mental health—reminding us that leadership means lifting up every corner of our community!
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Angel Reese
Angel is rewriting the narrative with unapologetic confidence. After leading LSU to the 2023 NCAA title, she stormed into Chicago as the 2024 Sky rookie, earning her “Bayou Barbie” crown and landing major deals with McDonald’s, Hershey, Amazon—and a Reebok signature shoe dropping in 2026. She proves excellence looks like owning your story and inviting the world in!
A’ja Wilson
A’ja defines the modern WNBA superstar as a three-time MVP, two-time champion, and 2020 Olympic gold medalist with the Las Vegas Aces. Dominant on the court and transformative off it, her A’ja Wilson Foundation champions children with dyslexia and combats bullying through workshops and camps—showing that true greatness means lifting others as you climb!
Napheesa Collier
Napheesa isn’t just leading the Lynx—she’s building the future. A 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2020 Olympic gold medalist, she co-founded Unrivaled 3×3 with Breanna Stewart, a league that guarantees competitive salaries, on-site childcare, and a 15 percent equity pool for players. Whether she’s sinking threes or hosting community workshops, Napheesa shows vision and action go hand in hand!
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Whether it’s owning the paint, leading conversations off the court, or shifting the culture through style, voice, and purpose, this Starting 5 is proof that when we show up fully, we change the game.
Much love and good luck to all the WNBA #AllStars this weekend!
Cover photo: BOTWC’s Starting 5: Power, Presence, and Playmakers of WNBA All-Star Weekend / Photo Credit: WNBA and A’ja Wilson / Instagram