Brittney Griner named as starter in WNBA All-Star game

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Brittney Griner will be starting in the WNBA All-Star Game a year after she was an honorary choice by the league while she was being detained in Russia.

The Phoenix Mercury's center was chosen by fans, media and players Sunday for her ninth All-Star game. Last season all the players wore Griner No. 42 jerseys for the second half of the game that was played in Chicago.

A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart were the top voter getters among fans and will be the captains of the two teams when the game is played in Las Vegas on July 15. The two players were also captains last year and are each making their fifth All-Star appearances. Wilson's team won the game last year.

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Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.  (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Stewart was thrilled to have the chance to play with Griner again.

"I think all of us are really inspired in what she's doing and the way she's kind of handling herself," Stewart said of Griner. "So it's another moment to just continue to celebrate her and watch her do her thing on the court."

As far as drafting Griner, Stewart hopes she gets the opportunity although Wilson has the first pick. Wilson led the fan vote with Stewart second. Stewart was the top choice among players and the media with Wilson second.

"Team Wilson is backkkkk," Wilson tweeted. "super blessed! thank you all who voted time to turn up the city …AGAIN"

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