Rivalries and fierce competition are what fans often see during the WNBA season. But All-Star weekend offers something different—an opportunity for players from across the league to come together and celebrate the game they love, creating an environment where mentorship, collaboration, and community strengthen athletes on and off the court.

As All-Star Game MVP Jonquel Jones put it, “playing with people that you usually play against is always the highlight of All-Star. You get to get to know people on a different level—you kinda learn their personalities.”

All-Star Weekend is about the community it brings together. This sense of community was seen throughout the weekend beginning on Friday at the Shooting Stars competition, where 17-year-old Jezelle “GG” Banks teamed up with Mystics forward Shakira Austin and WNBA legend Elena Delle Donne. Together they secured the win for Team Washington, showing the community that All-Star Weekend creates by bringing together the new generation of athletes with current stars and legends.

"I had pros and legends on my squad. They put their confidence in me, so I felt like I could do anything when I was with them,” Banks said after winning the competition. 

That sense of support was continued throughout the weekend, especially during the All-Star game where veterans made sure the first-time All-Stars were supported. One of the best examples came when Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese set up Seattle Storm Forward Dominique Malonga for a second quarter dunk, making the 20-year-old the youngest player to dunk in an All-Star game. Reese was also the first to celebrate with Malonga afterward.

Malonga embraced the opportunity All-Star Weekend gave her to be around some of the WNBA’s biggest names, saying “It’s a blessing to be here among those names…I'm really looking forward just to be around all those players and soaking in all the knowledge and all the experience I'm going to have around me and just learn from this experience.”

Moments like these show how All-Star Weekend gives veterans the opportunity to invest in the next generation while giving young players the chance to learn from those who came before them.

“Playing with people that you usually play against is always the highlight of All-Star. You get to get to know people on a different level—you kinda learn their personalities.”

Jonquel Jones

The Importance of Mentorship

Transitioning into professional sports is both physically and mentally demanding. In the WNBA, veteran players often take rookies under their wing to ease this transition process. 

In a league of 15 teams and competitive roster spots, veteran mentorship can help give younger athletes a sense of belonging. Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles captured her excitement going into her first All-Star weekend by saying there's “so much networking, so much to do, so many great people here, legends and current players.” For rookies, All-Star weekend is an opportunity for younger players to build relationships with veteran players and get advice from them. Through locker room pep talks, giving advice, and on-court high fives, the mentorship created gives rookies the confidence they need to grow in the league and also advances the league as a whole. 

Beyond building confidence, mentorship plays a crucial role in athletes' mental health. Research shows that mentorship can not only improve players’ physical performance but also improves athletes emotional well being. When players feel supported by teammates and veterans, they develop a strong sense of belonging within their team which can reduce stress and anxiety. Having someone to lean on who has already experienced the challenges of being a rookie helps athletes build confidence and resilience to navigate the ups and downs of transitioning to the professional level.

Building Your Support System

Just like how WNBA rookies lean on veteran players, having a mentor of your own, someone in your corner to help support you through challenges in your own life can make transitions feel more manageable. A mentor doesn’t have to be an athlete, it can be a teacher, coach, older teammate, friend, or family member that you feel comfortable with and can relate to.

If you don’t already have a mentor, that's okay. The VIS app has a 1-1 matching feature that can match you with a VIS mentor based on their sport, level, and topics you're interested in. If the best women's basketball players in the world rely on mentors and a strong support system, there's no reason we have to navigate life's challenges alone.