25 WNBA players who helped change the game for the better

Not only was Moore a star on the court, but she also left in her prime to star in the court. Moore famously left the game to focus on social work as she sought to free a wrongly imprisoned man, who eventually became her husband. The WNBA Hall of Famer, who was the 2014 MVP, showed just how powerful a platform players in the league can have. 

The 10-time All-Star known for her unmatchable dunking ability became the first openly gay athlete to ink a deal with Nike. Her accolades on the court speak for themselves, namely her pair of Defensive Player of the Year awards and the two seasons in which she led the league in scoring. She also became a face of resilience after her detainment in Russia before her eventual release. 

The league reached new heights when the Indiana Fever drafted Clark first overall. She may only be one player, but her arrival in the W after a historic college tenure at Iowa opened new avenues. The league saw record viewership, brought on new sponsors, and saw its brand rise in popularity overnight. Clark also backed up the hype with a Rookie of the Year award in her first season. 

Not only was Leslie just an all-around tremendous basketball player, but she also opened people's eyes to just how imposing the women's game can be. She became the first woman to dunk in a game in 2002. Her dominance resulted in three MVPs and earned 12 All-WNBA honors in her 13 seasons. 

All of the buzz and opportunities that come for today's players can be attributed to Swoopes. She became the first woman to ink a shoe deal as her Nike Air Swoopes I dropped in 1995. Her stardom helped pave the way for those who followed. Her shoe was even re-released in 2018, marking the first time a woman's signature kick was brought back. 

Catchings displayed only electricity on the court, but did so even more off of it through her charitable work with the Catch The Stars Foundation. She founded the organization in 2004 as a means to give back to the youth and help them reach their dreams. She also left the league as the all-time leader in steals, capping off a remarkable 15-year career. 

There has never been a better scorer ever to step foot on a WNBA court than Taurasi. The UCONN product retired in 2025 with 10,646 career points as she became the first player ever to surpass 10,000 in a career. 

In terms of modern celebrities, Reese is among the brightest. Not only has she balled out on the hardwood with multiple All-Star appearances, but the LSU alum has found success in building her own brand away from the game. She hosts her own podcast, has become the most followed WNBA player on Instagram, and has penned sponsorships with major companies like Reebok, Beats by Dre, and Hershey's. 

Saying Wilson has dominated the competition over her career may be an understatement. The center has three MVPs to her credit, a pair of WNBA titles, and an All-Star nod in all but one of her eight seasons. The leg sleeve she sports on her left leg has also transcended the sport. 

Charles became a force in the league, changing the impression of how the WNBA operates. No longer was this a league where shooting was all that mattered. Instead, Charles asserted herself in the paint, becoming the all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles. 

Cunningham has taken an unorthodox way to becoming a face of the WNBA. Grit defines her game more so than scoring, which is how she rose to celebrity status overnight. After defending Caitlin Clark on the court, Cunningham became an Internet sensation, turning that newfound stardom into her own podcast and one of the most recognizable faces in the modern game. 

Stewart has every accolade in the book, including three WNBA championships and a pair of Finals MVPs. Perhaps her most significant impact on the sport was co-founding Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league that was created to give players an offseason outlet that not only kept them active but also paid. 

Ionescu entered the W with all eyes on her. She became the first player ever to score 30 points in a triple-double. As the sport continues to grow, the New York Liberty star has altered the game and how it's played. Her three-point shooting ability and all-around playmaking prowess will inspire generations to come. 

Some would say Cooper is the game's first superstar. She won a pair of MVPs in her career, averaging more than 22 points in each of her first three seasons. She led the Houston Comets to titles in four straight seasons. That coincided with the first four years that the WNBA existed, underscoring that she was the game's first superstar. 

A pioneer of sorts, Staley's Hall of Fame career has allowed her to become a voice for the league far beyond her eight-year career. She's a seven-time SEC Coach of the Year and has won the Naismith Coach of the Year award four times at South Carolina. 

Parker remains the only player ever to win both MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season. She truly was one of a kind, winning the award again in her sixth season. After her playing days, she quickly ascended into the sports broadcasting spectrum, opening up even more lanes for women athletes to take after their on-court career comes to an end. 

One of the two co-founders of Unrivaled, Collier has already left her mark on the game. The UCONN alum has been a Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and a five-time All-Star. She is one of the modern stars of the game who has capitalized on budding brand sponsorships and media opportunities. 

Going back to her days at Notre Dame, Diggins has never been shy of the spotlight. The lefty has a decorated resume, but she has left a lasting impact on the league through her marketing endeavors and activism within the league. She spoke out on the league's maternity policy, and through her comments, helped to normalize the situation across the W and provide more support for the athletes. 

The Stanford grad and former No. 1 overall pick has every accolade imaginable. From an MVP award to 10 All-Star selections, Ogwumike's proudest moment might be her leadership as the WNBAPA president who led talks for the groundbreaking CBA that increased salaries for all players and altered the league's working conditions. Her presence alone has done wonders in improving the league as a whole. 

Hammon is a trailblazer. She turned her impressive playing career into a coaching gig, ultimately becoming the first woman to serve as an active head coach in the NBA when she filled in for San Antonio. She then went on to be the Aces' head coach, leading them to multiple titles. 

The Delaware alum was as ferocious as they come with a pair of MVPs under her belt. Injuries, including illness such as Lyme disease, dampened the end of her remarkable run, but not before she etched herself in the pantheon of greats. She opened so many avenues in the sport. She stuck close to home, going to the lesser-known University of Delaware despite originally committing to powerhouse UCONN, showing future players that if you’re good enough, it doesn’t matter where you go. 

As the WNBA enjoyed its most successful season in 2024, the league was rewarded with yet another can‘t-miss No. 1 prospect. Bueckers built a fan base during her collegiate dominance and carried that over into her rookie season. The league was infused with dynamic, and even more importantly, recognizable players over a two-year span with Bueckers and Caitlin Clark serving as two bridges between new fans and the WNBA. 

At the WNBA level, Van Lith still hasn’t established herself. The reason she makes this list, however, has to do with her college tenure, which saw her reach the pinnacle early at Louisville, where she quickly projected to be a top pick. Then she transferred to LSU, struggled immensely, and opened up about her mental struggles. She left for TCU after shockingly staying for a fifth season, and she regained her footing on the path to the WNBA. Her journey will surely be one that serves as a guide for future girls who are looking to climb the ladder to the highest level but come across adversity. 

There’s no better way to show how impactful a person was in history than memorializing them with a statue. Bird became the first WNBA player to receive a statue when Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle unveiled one in 2025. Bird retired a 13-time All-Star, a four-time champion, and one of the most decorated athletes to grace the sport. She’s also promoted the league through her own podcast and media appearances. 

Lobo’s career has extended far beyond the court, serving as an ambassador to the league as an advocate and an eventual broadcaster with ESPN. She has been a part of the W since its inception in 1997. She got into sports media after injuries shortened her career — a career that saw her make an All-Star team and an All-WNBA team in her first season.