Angel Reese was overcome with emotion after learning she had made the WNBA All-Star team.
The Chicago Sky rookie received 381,518 votes and found out about her selection moments after her team's 85-77 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday.
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The 22-year-old wiped away tears while expressing gratitude to those who voted for her.
"They just told me that I'm an All-Star," Reese said while fighting back tears.
"I'm just so happy. I know the work that I put in. Coming into this league, so many people doubted me and didn't think my game would translate. They thought I wouldn't be the player I was in college, or that I'd be worse. I wouldn't be who I am right now, but I trusted the process."
"I'm thankful that I dropped to seven and was able to come to Chicago. It's just a blessing," she continued. "I can't thank my teammates and my coaches enough for just believing in me."
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Reese will appear alongside fierce rival Caitlin Clark, who also earned a trip to the All-Star game this year.
The two rookies will play together on the same team for the very first time in their careers. They'll be part of the WNBA All-Star team's 12-woman roster that's scheduled to play against the US Olympic team led by A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart on July 20.
"I don't think I've ever been her teammate before, even at USA Basketball. I know people will be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn't take away from everyone else," Clark said.
It’s only the eighth time that two rookies have been on the All-Star team. The last time was when Shoni Schimmel and Chiney Ogwumike made the 2014 team.
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Clark and Reese were the No. 1 and No. 7 picks in the 2024 WNBA Draft respectively, and have had a profound impact on the league since being drafted earlier this year.
Their fierce LSU vs Iowa college rivalry and NCAA Tournament clashes have carried over into the pros and resulted in soaring TV ratings and record attendances.
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Their immense popularity was reflected in this year's votes, which were made up of a combination of votes from the media (25%), players (25%) and fans (50%).
Clark was the leading vote-getter this year with a massive 700,735. Compare that to 2023 when leading vote-getter A'ja Wilson received 95,860.
Reese and Clark are the runaway favorites to win the Rookie of the Year award this season and the former is certainly making her case of late.
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The Sky forward was named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for June and recently recorded her 11th straight double-double - the longest streak in WNBA history for a single-season.
Her latest double-double came against the Dream where she finished with 12 points and 19 rebounds.