Overview: President Barack Obama Honors WNBA Stars on Chicago’s South Side
Sports Columnist Charles Hallman reports live from Chicago on an unforgettable moment at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center, where the 44th President paid a surprise visit to WNBA All-Stars to praise their excellence and historic momentum.
CHICAGO — The highlight of 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, hands down, up here in the Windy City, was at the Obama Presidential Center, the first-ever site for the All-Star Game’s media availabilities, team practices and a Jr. WNBA event last Friday.
The nearly 20-acre campus located in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side opened in June. The WNBA last weekend was the first pro league to hold events on the Obama Home Court athletic facility: All-Star practices, media availabilities and a Jr. WNBA youth event.
But what wasn’t planned was a memorable appearance by the first U.S. Black president, Barack Obama.
“Some of you I’m meeting for the first time, all of you are extraordinary,” the 44th president told the gathering. “The way the game has been growing lately and the way the game has been picking up, people have been paying attention to your excellence … it has been a sight to see.”
All-Star team photo with President Obama. Credit: WNBA
Obama also chatted with players. Angel Reese got a selfie with him, and he posed with players and coaches, even getting into a defensive stance to guard New York’s Jonquel Jones for a few seconds. He told everyone he doesn’t play 5-on-5 anymore to protect his Achilles, but christened the court by playing “H-O-R-S-E.”
All those who were there agreed it was both special and memorable.
“It was very special,” said Las Vegas guard Jackie Young. “He’s a basketball head. I took a picture with him.”
Minnesota Lynx forward Natasha Howard, a first-time All-Star starter, added, “It was amazing for him giving us a pep talk.”
Washington forward Kiki Iriafen was emphatic.
“Today was the best day. To be here (at the Obama Center) and to meet President Obama was surreal. I will talk about that the rest of my life. He’s also (No. 44) and I’m also 44. He said that number was really special. I never (met) President Obama before and it was thrilling to meet him. I was trying to maintain my composure, but I was star struck.”
Obama hosted at least 86 sports teams at the White House during his eight-year presidency, including the Lynx three times, in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
Last Friday was the first time since 2016 that Minnesota All-Star Coach Cheryl Reeve and her son Oliver, now 10 years old, both met the president in person. “It was an incredible moment to be celebrated by President Obama after our 2015 championship,” she recalled. “Being brought up to the stage and high-fiving the president. He was too young at the time to remember it. To see his face today, to see him standing in front of us with a big smile … it was pretty cool.”
Atlanta All-Star guard Allisha Gray said, “I actually got to shake his hand and take a picture with him. It was the best year ever to be able to meet such an iconic person as President Barack Obama.”
Los Angeles All-Star Nneka Ogwumike summed it up: “For President Obama taking the time to speak with us, giving us the opportunity to occupy this beautiful space, it’s very much what we represent as members of our (WNBPA) union and as players of the W. This is the type of intersectionality that makes women’s basketball what it is.
“Absolutely significant,” Ogwumike concluded. “You can’t really ask for a better way to celebrate 30 years of the W.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.
Copyright © Charles Hallman