The biggest surprise in WNBA All-Star voting wasn’t Caitlin Clark or A’ja Wilson originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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When the first returns for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game were released on Wednesday, most of the names near the top looked exactly as expected.
A’ja Wilson led all players with more than 308,000 votes. Paige Bueckers sat second. Aliyah Boston, Breanna Stewart and Caitlin Clark rounded out the top five.
Then came the first real surprise.
Jessica Shepard.
The Dallas Wings forward ranked sixth overall in fan voting with 211,598 votes, placing ahead of Angel Reese, Olivia Miles, Kelsey Mitchell, Kelsey Plum and several other players who generate significantly more national attention. For casual WNBA fans, Shepard’s placement may have seemed unexpected.
For anyone who has watched the Wings this season, it may actually be overdue. The first fan returns offered proof that one of the league’s most productive players is finally getting the recognition she deserves.
Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson and Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Lead After First Returns of Fan Voting in All-Star Voting 2026 presented by Ally pic.twitter.com/MfPV1oZQ6p
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) June 17, 2026
Jessica Shepard is having a breakout season
Every season, a few players make the leap from solid contributors to legitimate stars.
Shepard has done exactly that in 2026.
The veteran forward is averaging career highs across the board while establishing herself as one of the most productive frontcourt players in the WNBA. Her 13.7 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game are both personal bests, and she has become one of the league’s most reliable double-double threats.
Few players impact a game the way Shepard does.
She rebounds at an elite level, creates extra possessions and consistently produces in the paint. While many of the league’s biggest stars dominate headlines through scoring explosions or viral highlights, Shepard has quietly become one of the most dependable players in basketball.
The All-Star voting results suggest fans have been paying attention.
That wasn’t always guaranteed.
Players who don’t play in major media markets or generate constant social media buzz can sometimes get overlooked during the voting process. Shepard appears to be breaking that trend.
MORE: Paige Bueckers is threatening one of Caitlin Clark’s biggest WNBA crowns
Dallas has become one of the league’s most compelling teams
Shepard’s rise has coincided with the emergence of one of the WNBA’s most fascinating rosters.
The Wings already feature Paige Bueckers, who ranks second overall in fan voting, and fellow young star Azzi Fudd, who sits just outside the top 10. Olivia Miles has also become one of the league’s breakout rookies after receiving nearly 180,000 votes in the first returns.
That collection of talent has transformed Dallas into a must-watch team.
While much of the preseason conversation focused on Bueckers and the franchise’s future, Shepard has become one of the biggest reasons the Wings have exceeded expectations.
Her veteran presence has helped stabilize a young roster, and her production has often been the difference between winning and losing.
It’s no coincidence that her popularity has grown alongside Dallas’ success.
Fans tend to reward winning.
And they tend to reward players who consistently deliver.
What the voting results say about WNBA fans
Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from Shepard’s position on the leaderboard is what it says about the voting process itself.
All-Star voting often becomes a popularity contest.
Big names usually dominate. Social media followings matter. Highlight clips matter. National attention matters.
Yet Shepard’s placement suggests fans are looking beyond those factors.
She doesn’t have the celebrity profile of Clark. She isn’t involved in the league’s biggest rivalries. She isn’t generating headlines every week.
What she has done is produce.
Night after night, game after game, Shepard has been one of the WNBA’s most effective players. The first fan returns indicate that supporters around the league have noticed.
Whether she ultimately earns an All-Star starting spot remains to be seen. Players and media members still have a significant impact on the final results.
But one thing became clear Wednesday.
Jessica Shepard is no longer flying under the radar.
The rest of the basketball world is finally starting to catch up.
More WNBA news:
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- Cameron Brink turns heads with stylish arrival before Sparks-Valkyries matchup
- Cameron Brink had fans buzzing before tipoff with unexpected pregame talent
- Caitlin Clark’s latest post had Sophie Cunningham asking one question after Fever’s record-setting win
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