Former President Barack Obama surprised WNBA All-Stars on Friday morning at the Obama Presidential Center before what officials said was the first professional basketball practice at Home Court.<\/p>\n
The WNBA’s All-Stars are in Chicago for the league’s annual showcase, which continues Friday night with a skills challenge at the Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky, and culminates Saturday with the All-Star Game between Team Spoon and Team Coop at the United Center.<\/p>\n
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert opened the event by welcoming the All-Stars to the league\u2019s 30th anniversary season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought it was really fitting to be here at the Obama Presidential Center on our 30th anniversary season with our star athletes on this amazing court,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Michael Strautmanis, the Obama Foundation\u2019s chief corporate affairs officer, told the players the campus was built with the idea that sports \u201cis a pathway to do what you all do.\u201d Home Court is the center\u2019s 60,000-square-foot athletic and events space, located just across the street from Hyde Park Academy.<\/p>\n
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WNBA All-Stars practice at Home Court in the Obama Presidential Center during a practice and media day, July 24, 2026.<\/p>\n
Marc C. Monaghan<\/p>\n
Tina Tchen, the foundation\u2019s executive vice president and head of programs, said the practice marked the first time professional basketball players had used the court for a professional practice. She pointed out the court includes 3-point lines for both the NBA and WNBA, as a reflection of the center\u2019s commitment to \u201cbe inclusive and intentional.\u201d<\/p>\n
Obama then walked onto the court, interrupting her speech and drawing loud cheers and applause from the players. He wore blue jeans and a crisp white button-down shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of you are extraordinary, and I could not be a bigger fan,\u201d Obama told the players. \u201cThe way the game has been going lately, the way it\u2019s been picking up, and people paying attention to your excellence, I think has been something for basketball fans generally, a sight to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Obama joked with the players about the relaxed pace during their practice, which ran at roughly a quarter speed with players jogging through drills and taking it easy on defense. He briefly guarded New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones, bending down to try to poke the ball away as she attempted to cross him over.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t run full court no more to protect my Achilles,\u201d Obama said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Last month, Obama tested out the Home Court ahead of the campus\u2019s official opening on Juneteenth, playing a game of H.O.R.S.E. with confidants including Strautmanis and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, among others. Obama apparently lost the game.<\/p>\n
Obama told players that, unfortunately, he would not attend Saturday\u2019s All-Star Game because of a commitment involving Michelle Obama.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m sorry about that, but I don’t mess with my wife,\u201d Obama said.<\/p>\n
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WNBA All-Stars laugh as they listen to former President Barack Obama speak during a practice and media day at Home Court in the Obama Presidential Center, July 24, 2026.<\/p>\n
Marc C. Monaghan<\/p>\n
For several players, Friday marked their first meeting with the former president. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, one of two team captains for Saturday\u2019s game, chatted with Obama upon meeting him individually before snagging a photo with him and a couple of teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to pinch yourself,\u201d Clark said after meeting Obama on All-Star Weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who missed the first shot of the practice with an airball, described her introduction to Obama as \u201csmooth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like it was love, bro,\u201d she said. \u201cFor him to pull up and show his love, that was dope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lynx rookie guard Olivia Miles, 23, an All-Star starter in her first season, said meeting Obama felt surreal given she grew up learning about his presidency from her parents.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely cool,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t think we would have the opportunity to do so, let alone meet him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Las Vegas Aces center A\u2019ja Wilson, a three-time MVP and Team Spoon starter, had met Obama before and was less star-struck. She said her routine these days revolves around staying healthy and not much else.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m a little boring,\u201d she said. \u201cIf I\u2019m not sleeping, I\u2019m eating. If I\u2019m not eating, I\u2019m in my car heading to the gym.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese takes a half-court shot during the WNBA All-Star practice and media day at Home Court in the Obama Presidential Center, July 24, 2026.<\/p>\n
Marc C. Monaghan<\/p>\n
Former Sky standout Angel Reese let out a scream after greeting Obama, before returning to practice drills that included lefty and righty layups. Reese was traded to the Dream in April for two future first-round picks and is playing in her second All-Star Game Saturday.<\/p>\n
No Sky players are on either All-Star roster this year. The Sky enter the weekend with a 9-18 record, the third-worst mark in the WNBA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elsewhere during the practice session, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey and Williams took part in a brief 3-point shooting contest.<\/p>\n