Clark, 22, entered Tuesday averaging 16.2 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from 3-point range.
“I know people are going to be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn’t take away from everybody else,” Clark said of her and Angel Reese’s All-Star nods after the Fever star scored 13 points in their 88-69 loss to the Aces . “This is a huge accomplishment for everybody on Team USA and everybody on Team WNBA. They all deserve the same praise. I don’t want it to take away from any of that and just be the focal point of All-Star weekend because that’s not fair to them.
“Just going to obviously soak in the experience because you never know if you’re ever going to get back there.”
Reese headed into Tuesday’s 85-77 win over the Dream averaging a double-double, with 13.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
She had another big rebounding night, pulling down 19, to go along with 12 points.
“We won today, but they just told me I am an All-Star. I’m just so happy, ” Reese said through tears at the postgame press conference. “I know the work I’ve put in. Coming into this league, so many people doubted me and didn’t think my game would translate and I wouldn’t be the player I was in college, or better, or would be worse, or wouldn’t be where I am now. But, I trusted the process and I believed. I’m thankful that I dropped to[No.] 7 and was able to come to Chicago. It’s just a blessing. I can’t thank my teammates and my coaches enough for believing in me and trusting me. I know all of them are gonna come to Phoenix and support me, so I’m really happy right now.”
Sky forward Angel Reese (5) drives to the basket against the Indiana Fever. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Clark finished first in voting (700,735 votes), while Reese was fifth (381,518).
The 20th edition of the All-Star Game is a celebration and sendoff of WNBA players selected to compete in the Summer Olympics, which will take place July 26-Aug. 11.
Aces All-Star A’ja Wilson will be part of the Team USA Olympic squad taking on the WNBA All-Stars. Getty Images
Others didn’t think she had enough experience to compete at the Olympic level.
Selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti later explained the decision came down to basketball criteria — and not the fame and attention Clark would bring to the Games this summer.
WNBA All-Star voting is made up of votes from fans (50 percent), current WNBA players (25 percent) and media members (25 percent).
This year’s WNBA All-Star festivities will feature the third annual WNBA Live — the league’s two-day fan festival, which will celebrate the intersection of the WNBA, fashion, music and culture — that will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center July 19-20.
The game itself will tip off July 20 at 8:30 p.m. at Footprint Center in Phoenix and air on ABC.
ESPN will air a skills challenge and a 3-point contest on July 19 at 6 p.m.
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