Arike Ogunbowale celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer in the second half, where she scored 34 points in an MVP-worthy performance at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – The WNBA All-Star game returned to Phoenix for the third time last weekend, bringing in fans from across the country and internationally to witness the world’s best players.
Team WNBA prevailed over the Women’s National Team, 117-109, in front of a sellout crowd Saturday at the Footprint Center, with Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale earning the All-Star MVP award after a 34-point performance in her third All-Star game appearance. The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game averaged 3.4 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched WNBA telecast since opening weekend in 1997, according to Front Office Sports.
Arike Ogunbowale earns WNBA All-Star MVP for the second time in her career Saturday at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Fans also flocked to downtown Phoenix to see rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Reese scored 12 points and had 11 rebounds to become the first rookie with a double-double in an WNBA All-Star game, while Clark’s 10 assists set an All-Star rookie record of her own.
Fans were greeted Saturday with a unique T-shirt designed by Kelly Malka across their seat backs ahead of the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Chicago Sky mascot Sky Guy participates in a mid-game dunk show Friday at Footprint Center. (GIF by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Fans had the opportunity to meet current and former players at the WNBA Live fan festival held at the Phoenix Convention Center, including A’ja Wilson.
Nikkole Bonner wears a shirt featuring A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese that reads, ‘I came to see the vet vs the rookie,’ Saturday at Footprint Center. (Photos by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Left: Fans had the opportunity to meet current and former players at the WNBA Live fan festival held at the Phoenix Convention Center, including A’ja Wilson. Right: Nikkole Bonner wears a shirt featuring A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese that reads, ‘I came to see the vet vs the rookie,’ Saturday at Footprint Center. (Photos by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
A’ja Wilson stretches for Team USA before the start of the WNBA All-Star game Saturday at Footprint Center.
Allisha Gray celebrates with former University of South Carolina teammate A’ja Wilson after winning the 3-point and skills competitions Friday at Footprint Center. (Photos by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Left: A’ja Wilson stretches for Team USA before the start of the WNBA All-Star game Saturday at Footprint Center. Right: Allisha Gray celebrates with former University of South Carolina teammate A’ja Wilson after winning the 3-point and skills competitions Friday at Footprint Center. (Photos by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Las Vegas Aces mascot BUCKET$ participate in a mid-game dunk show Friday at Footprint Center. (GIF by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
The weekend festivities kicked off with Friday night’s skills competitions, including an obstacle course-style skills challenge, a 3×3 exhibition game and a 3-point contest. Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray became the first player in WNBA history to win both the skills challenge and the 3-point contest in the same year.
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner hugs second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who visited Team USA’s practice Friday at the Player 15 Group facility. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark takes warmup 3-pointers in front of a fan’s sign that reads, ‘Caitlin from the Logo,’ at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
From left: Aliyah Boston, Allisha Gray, Caitlin Clark and Arike Ogunbowale celebrate after Ogunbowale’s basket to end the third quarter in Saturday’s 2024 WNBA All-Star Game. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, a starter for Team WNBA, goes for a layup surrounded by Team USA players in the second half of Saturday’s 2024 WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game averaged 3.4 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched WNBA telecast since opening weekend in 1997, per reports. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Kahleah Copper goes for a layup for Team USA in the first half, defended by Aliyah Boston in Saturday’s 2024 WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center.
New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones reacts to missing the final shot in the 3-point challenge Friday at Footprint Center. (Photos by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Left: Kahleah Copper goes for a layup for Team USA in the first half, defended by Aliyah Boston in Saturday’s 2024 WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center. Right: New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones reacts to missing the final shot in the 3-point challenge Friday at Footprint Center. (Photos by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Team WNBA’s Angel Reese finished the game with a double-double, putting up 12 points and 11 rebounds, in Saturday’s All-Star Game. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
A huge focus of the weekend was fan engagement, as the league hosted events like the WNBA Live fan festival in Phoenix. Fans of all ages participated in shooting contests, waited in line for meet-and-greets with their favorite players and purchased a variety of All-Star-themed merchandise.
After Team WNBA’s victory Saturday and the ensuing awards presentation, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe spoke to the loud Phoenix crowd. Her message was received by applause and cheers from players and fans alike.
“I feel really comfortable saying that this has been the best WNBA All-Star game we have ever seen in this league,” Rowe said.
Hailey Van Lith, a USA 3×3 Women’s National Team member, looks for the pass in the All-Star 3×3 exhibition during Friday’s skills competition at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Mercury veteran Diana Taurasi hugs Vanessa Bryant after Team USA’s 117-109 loss to Team WNBA Saturday at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey high-fives enthusiastic young fans before competing in the skills challenges Friday at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Team WNBA teammates Arike Ogunbowale, front, and Angel Reese, back, celebrate after making halfcourt shots at the end of Friday’s practice at Footprint Center. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)
Grace Hand expects to graduate in August 2024 with a master’s degree in sports journalism. Hand attended Sacred Heart University for her bachelor’s degree in sports communication and media with a minor in digital marketing. Hand is pursuing a career in the NHL.