Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2024 Olympics nearing, the WNBA decided to continue with its second iteration of Team WNBA versus Team USA for its All-Star Game.
Instead of the traditional East-versus-West or the two-captain-led teams format, Saturday’s game will feature Team USA, which will travel to Paris later this month to compete in the Olympics, and the WNBA All-Stars.
The U.S. Olympic team roster features the greatest women’s basketball player of all time, Diana Taurasi; two-time Finals and regular-season MVP, Breanna Stewart; and back-to-back WNBA champion, A’ja Wilson, who is a large favorite to win MVP honors this season (-3000, FanDuel).
Meanwhile, Team WNBA is headlined by rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, as well as dominant 6-foot-6 power forward Jonquel Jones and wing Nneka Ogwumike.
With the budding rivalry between Clark and Reese, and with Clark’s Olympic snub, this game won’t lack for juicy storylines. You can also expect it to smash ratings records for viewership.
The Olympic team has an overall talent advantage, but don’t expect the WNBA All-Stars to roll over.
Here are our favorite player props for Saturday’s matchup of some of the world’s best.
Caitlin Clark to record 8+ assists (+190, FanDuel)
Of course, it is easier for a point guard to log eight assists in a WNBA game when she is playing close to 40 minutes every night than it is in any game with only 20-25 minutes of floor time.
Nevertheless, the All-Star Game features substantially less defensive effort from both teams and is generally higher scoring than a regular-season game.
For Clark, the minutes matter far less than usual, considering the talent that will be around her is substantially better.
Passing to better shotmakers means a higher conversion rate on potential assists.
Furthermore, the pace of the All-Star Game meshes well with Clark’s get-it-and-go style of play; she is elite in transition, forcing defenders to meet her at the 3-point line due to her shooting skill, which provides teammates open lanes to cut.
Clark has been exceptional of late, averaging 12.4 assists per game over her past seven outings, including a WNBA-record 19 dimes against the Dallas Wings on Wednesday.
If Clark plays 20 minutes, she can record eight assists, especially considering she will have a chip on her shoulder from being overlooked for a spot on the Olympic team.
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Angel Reese to record 10+ rebounds (-192, FanDuel)
Reese’s transition from college basketball to the WNBA has been made much easier because of her aptitude for rebounding.
In fact, the former LSU forward is one of the top rebounders in the league already despite being a rookie.
Though Reese still can improve her shooting efficiency, particularly in the paint, her prowess on the glass will make her a consistent WNBA All-Star.
Recently, Reese has taken another great leap in that facet of the game, recording at least 10 rebounds in 18 consecutive games.
Like Clark, Reese won’t play her usual minutes, but the pace of play should help her reach a double-digit rebound total.