Women’s basketball’s past and future are colliding this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona.

Generational rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will make their All-Star Game debuts Saturday night when the WNBA All-Stars face Team USA in a highly anticipated exhibition game.

Leading the charge from the sideline for the WNBA is a living legend – Cheryl Miller, the first head coach in Phoenix Mercury history and one of the greatest players of all time.

The deal came together for Miller only about a week ago, but she jumped at the chance to work with some of the league’s brightest stars.

“I’m like, ‘Holy smokes, what an opportunity,’” Miller said of her reaction to the invitation. “And I was excited, like really, really excited. Till I found out that the team I’m coaching wants to beat the brakes off our Olympic team. I’m like, ‘OK, the pressure’s on.’ So now we got a game, folks.”

The WNBA All-Stars beat Team USA in their last meeting three years ago, handing the Americans their only loss during a summer that ended with a seventh straight gold medal celebration in Tokyo.

The current crop of All-Stars would love to repeat history, but they take special pride in attempting to do so while playing for one of the game’s true icons.

“Coach Miller, she’s a legend,” Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston said. “What she’s done for the game is a big reason as to why we’re here, and we definitely want to win. We said in the huddle that winning is fun, and that’s what we want to do. I think we’re just excited to get out there and play together.”

The 60-year-old Miller’s playing career predated the WNBA by more than a decade.

She starred at Southern California from 1982-86, winning national championships in her first two seasons and being named the Naismith Player of the Year in her final three.

Miller also won a gold medal as part of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team in Los Angeles, was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 1983 and 1984 and was a four-time All-American.

Her No. 31 is retired at USC, and she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995 – two years before the WNBA played its inaugural season.

“She’s one of the pioneers of our game and just an awesome individual,” Clark said. “Her personality just radiates. Being around her, it just makes you smile. She’s just such a cool human. So for her to get to coach us – super exciting for me.

“I was super excited when I heard that news. It’s just a great opportunity to be around somebody that’s given so much to the game and to get to enjoy this – my first (all-star) experience – with her, honestly.”

Miller has continued to grow the game and blaze trails for women in the sport as a former NBA sideline reporter for TNT and a reporter and analyst for NBA TV, ABC, TBS and ESPN.

She’s not concerned with her legacy. She’s just excited to have the opportunity to make a direct impact on the next generation of stars.

“I don’t obviously talk about legacy because I’m still alive, and I don’t care what you guys say when I’m dead,” she said with a smile. “But (fellow pioneers) Ann Meyers Drysdale taught me and Nancy Lieberman, Lynette Woodard, that my responsibility – and I didn’t get it when I was young and at the height of my career – (is) to pay it forward.

“So that’s my job now is to pay it forward, not sit up there and stay in Caitlin or Angel or the younger players or even the current players now, to stay in their ear. It’s for me to lead by example. And anytime they call on me, whether it’s the collegiate level or the Dub, I’m here to be of service. Bottom line.”

STAR ATTRACTION

One of the highlights of Saturday’s game is the first pairing of Reese and Clark on the court as teammates.

The duo have spent years battling against each other in a high-profile rivalry that dates back to their AAU days as high schoolers.

This time, they’ll be working toward the same goal.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Reese said. “Everybody can wear their get-along shirts together for one day at least. I know a lot of people are gonna come and watch us and see all of us, but there’s a lot of talent within both rosters on these teams. So they’re in for a good one.”

MEDIA RIGHTS DEAL

As part of the new NBA media rights deal signed last week, the WNBA’s share of revenue will increase to $2.2 billion over the next 11 years.

But count Miller in the camp that believes the league is still being undervalued.

“Not enough. Not even close,” she said. “Now, I’m not trying to inflate it a whole lot. But a two is nice. An eight would be better. That’s what I’m talking about because they know. They know. And we certainly have come a long way, and I’m not about gouging, but it’s a long time overdue and we’re gonna continue to get better and better.”