Lynx star Sylvia Fowles named WNBA All-Star co-captain, Griner also honored

The WNBA on Wednesday announced its WNBA All-Star Game starters and Minnesota Lynx star Sylvia Fowles was named a co-captain.

The league announced that Seattle star Breanna Stewart and Aces star A’ja Wilson finished with the most fan votes and were named co-captains. However, Fowles and Seattle star Sue Bird, who are both retiring at the end of the year, will join them as co-captains. Fowles will be paired with Stewart.

It’s unclear, however, if Fowles will play, as she’s been sidelined due to a cartilage injury in her knee since earlier this month and no timeline has been given for her return.

“For icons like Sylvia and Sue to be voted into the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game as starters in their 15th and 19th seasons, respectively, is extraordinary,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “And when you see the starting lineups dotted with first-time All-Stars like Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, it just seems right that Sylvia and Sue – who have said this will be their final season – join A’ja and Breanna as co-captains for an All-Star event that will in some ways symbolize the passing of the torch to a new generation of WNBA stars.”

Additionally, the league named Phoenix star Brittney Griner, who remains detained in Russia, as an honorary All-Star and starter.

The other All-Star starters are Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones, Los Angeles Sparks’ forward Nneka Ogwumike, and Chicago Sky forward-center Candace Parker. The starting guards, in addition to Bird, are the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu and Las Vegas Aces’ teammates Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young.

Voting will now begin for the All-Star reserves, which will be picked by WNBA head coaches and announced on June 28. The co-captains will then select the rosters on July 2 on ESPN.

The All-Star Game will be played in Chicago at noon on July 10 and will be broadcast on ABC.