CHICAGO — Jezelle “GG” Banks was the star of Friday’s Shooting Stars event, something that her teammates, WNBAlegend Elena Delle Donne and Washington Mysticscenter Shakira Austin, weren’t surprised by.
Delle Donne and Austin and were familiar with the five-star prospect from Wilmington, Delaware, who is the No. 4 prospect in the class of 2027. Banks went to the same high school as Delle Donne (Ursuline Academy) and even shared the same coach. Austin had also previously met Banks before Friday's event.
What they were surprised by was just how confident Banks was at WinTrust Arena. The 17-year-old guard went first in the lineup for Team Washington and helped propel the team to a 31-21 win in the final round to beat Team Seattle (Lauren Jackson,
Flau’jae Johnson and No. 1 prospect in the class of 2028, Tatianna Griffin) and secure the Shooting Stars trophy.
“Yeah, she carried. She carried,” Austin said, laughing. “You could just tell in her energy. As soon as we started, it was confidence, and I think that showed in how she hit those tough shots … that was very far. It was really like half-court shots.
"I’m just looking up. I’m over here bricking, and she’s (making them). Cash. I’m like ‘Oh my God.’ To have that confidence so young — I was nervous. It didn’t look like she was nervous. It was an inspiration.”
Delle Donne added that at the beginning of the event, the team was trying to sort through its strategy. The Hall of Famer was supposed to go first in the rotation, but quickly realized that because she hadn’t played in a while, it might take the team longer to get to each spot in the Shooting Stars course. So, they shifted and put Banks first.
“You didn’t want her to have to go first if she’s nervous, but she’s like ‘Yeah, sure. I’ll pick up the pace.’ OK. Thank God. I wasn’t getting us there,” Delle Donne said, jokingly.
To Delle Donne’s point, Banks smiled away in Friday’s press conference, marveling at what she had just participated in and how many people saw it. She also showed no signs of being nervous to be on such a big stage.
“I was excited … but, you know, once I heard my name, and with these two, like, I knew (we were) going to get the dub. I was very excited”, Banks said confidently with a smile. “ I didn’t think it was gone be like this. Man, it’s packed. In (this press conference room), too. Awesome experience for sure.”
Putting on for the DMV 🗣️
— espnW (@espnW) July 25, 2026
Elena Delle Donne, Shakira Austin and EYBL star Jezelle "GG" Banks was making it rain from the logo 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jWkuGYyyir
With Banks' elite game now exposed to a national audience, she shines a light on what’s possible for her generation, including making it to the WNBA. Banks, who has not committed to a college yet but holds offers from South Carolina, Maryland, LSU, USC, UCLA, Texas and other top programs, said she wants to be a WNBA All-Star and thinks having Delle Donne and Austin alongside her on that journey will help her get there.
Delle Donne appeared to agree with that assertion and lauded the opportunity the Shooting Stars event provides to bridge the gap between the generations.
“I love it," Delle Donne said. "I hope viewers loved it and continue to see it because I think this is super meaningful. I think, you know, when you get touchpoints like this and hopefully get to inspire the next generation, or they get to carry you in an event, then it’s like, that’s gonna give her confidence the rest of her tournament this year and then heading to college and all those things.
“Just the moments of interaction, again, has always been the most important parts of the career. You kind of forget about the statistics, the wins, the losses, but you always remember the touch moments with really good people. So, that’s what it’s about.”
WNBA All-Star schedule
Saturday, July 25
- WNBA Live Presented by AWS: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET at McCormick Place
- WNBA All-Star Game: 6:30 p.m. ET at the United Center (ABC, Disney+)
Watch the WNBA all season on Fubo
WNBA All-Star teams
Team Coop
Starters
- Paige Bueckers, G, Dallas Wings
- Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty
- Kelsey Mitchell, G, Indiana Fever
- Natasha Howard, F, Minnesota Linx
- Gabby Williams, F, Golden State Valkyries
Reserves
- Angel Reese, F, Atlanta Dream
- Marina Mabrey, G, Toronto Tempo
- Dominique Malonga, C, Seattle Storm
- Kahleah Copper, G, Phoenix Mercury
- Jackie Young, G, Las Vegas Aces
- Sonia Citron, G, Washington Mystics
Staff
- Head Coach Becky Hammon
- General Manager Cynthia Cooper
Team Spoon
Starters
- Caitlin Clark, G, Indiana Fever
- A'ja Wilson, C, Las Vegas Aces
- Olivia Miles, G, Minnesota Lynx
- Aliyah Boston, C, Indiana Fever
- Jessica Shepard, F, Dallas Wings
Reserves
- Rhyne Howard, G, Atlanta Dream
- Allisha Gray, G, Atlanta Dream
- Jonquel Jones, F, New York Liberty
- Courtney Williams, G, Minnesota Lynx
- Kiki Iriafen, F, Washington Mystics
- Nneka Ogwumike, F, Los Angeles Sparks
Staff:
- Head Coach Cheryl Reeve
- General Manager Teresa Weatherspoon
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5-star phenom with Elena Delle Donne link helps WNBA legend win All-Star event
