When the WNBA All-Star Game is played July 10 at Wintrust Arena, coach James Wade and his staff will join seven-time All-Star Candace Parker in representing the reigning champion Sky (12-5).
The coaches on the teams with the two best records through Friday were selected. Those were Wade and the Aces’ Becky Hammon, whose team is 13-3. Wade and Hammon have a long-standing friendship that dates to Hammon’s playing days with Wade’s wife, Edwige Lawson-Wade.
This is the first time either coach will serve in this role, but Hammon is no stranger to the All-Star Game. She was a six-time All-Star during her playing career.
Hammon will coach Team Wilson, led by Aces star A’ja Wilson, who received the most votes in All-Star balloting. Wilson’s co-captain is Storm guard Sue Bird. Wade will coach Team Stewart, led by Storm forward Breanna Stewart, who received the second-most votes in All-Star balloting.
Wade also will be reunited with Lynx center Sylvia Fowles, who will be Stewart’s co-captain. During his season as an assistant on Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve’s staff, Wade worked directly with Fowles.
‘‘[I’m] very humbled to be part of the All-Star Game here in Chicago,’’ Wade tweeted. ‘‘[I’m] so excited for my staff and our players chosen.’’
As of now, Parker is the only Sky player who has been selected to the game. She got the fourth-most votes behind Wilson, Stewart and Aces guard Kelsey Plum and was chosen as a starter. Wade has been adamant that other Sky players should be All-Stars, specifically point guard Courtney Vandersloot and 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper.
‘‘I would imagine [other Sky players will be selected],’’ Wade said. ‘‘I would be disappointed if they weren’t.’’
The WNBA’s 12 head coaches will vote on the reserves, who will be announced Tuesday. Coaches aren’t permitted to vote for their own players.
The captains will select their players from the pool of available starters and reserves Saturday.
