Yardbarker
x
The Top 25 WNBA Players of All Time
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Top 25 WNBA Players of All Time

Originally posted on The Lead  |  By Kenyon Wingenbach  |  Last updated Jun 11, 2025 9:16 PM ET

Now in its 29th season, the WNBA has seen 833 players take the court since its debut in 1997. Distilling nearly three decades of talent into a Top 25 list means identifying the top 3% of players in league history – the elite of the elite.

The categories used to evaluate players include Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and MVP shares, Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) and DPOY shares, Finals appearances, championships, Finals MVPs, statistical league rankings, adjusted win shares (taking into account the changes in the number of regular season games throughout the course of the WNBA), All-WNBA selections, and All-Defensive honors (Note: All-Defense wasn’t introduced in the WNBA until the 2005 season).

Tier 4: Perennial All-WNBA

Eight players with 107 seasons and 46 All-WNBA teams combined, but none won MVP.

25. Seimone Augustus (2006-2020): 2011 Finals MVP, six-time All-WNBA (one first-team), 14th all-time in points. Helped guide Lynx to six Finals, four titles, known for consistent scoring and efficiency.

24. Deanna Nolan (2001-2009): Three-time champion, 2006 Finals MVP, five-time All-WNBA (two first-team), elite defender with five All-Defensive honors in final five years, retired at 29 after franchise move.

23. Katie Smith (1999-2013): Four-time All-WNBA (two first-team), prolific scorer early in career, third all-time in threes made. Adapted to role player for two of Detroit’s titles.

22. Angel McCoughtry (2009-2020): Two-time scoring champ, six-time All-WNBA (two first-team), seven All-Defense, third in steals per game, 17th in career points. Helped Aces win their first title in her last season in WNBA.

21. Napheesa Collier (2019-Current): Three top-five MVP finishes, top 25 in MVP shares, three All-WNBA (two first-team) selections, 2024 DPOY, three All-Defensive teams. Only active Tier 4 player and youngest member of Top 25.

20. Lindsay Whalen (2004-2018): Five-time All-WNBA (four first-team), fifth all-time in assists, 12th in adjusted win shares (aWS), second in 2008 MVP voting. Was a key leader for Lynx’s four championship teams.

19. Sue Bird (2002-2022): All-time assists leader, eight-time All-WNBA (five first-team), four titles, seventh in aWS, most games played. Legendary leader despite no MVP or Finals MVP.

18. Tina Thompson (1997-2013): Nine All-WNBA nods (four first-team), former all-time scoring leader, All-Star in 17th season. Part of Houston’s first dynasty, but only 31st in aWS per season despite winning four championships.

Tier 3: MVP-Caliber Stars

Seven dominant bigs, six MVP winners, four still active.

17. Jonquel Jones (2016-Current): Five All-WNBA selections (one first-team), four All-Defensive teams, 2021 MVP, three-time rebounding leader, one-time blocks leader, 2024 champion and Finals MVP, top-10 in second in true shooting percentage, tenth in aWS per season. Only player in history to win Most Improved, 6th POY, and MVP.

16. Brittney Griner (2013-Current): 2014 WNBA champion, two-time DPOY, seven All-Defensive teams, led league in blocks eight times, two-time scoring champ, six-time All-WNBA (three first-team). Most MVP shares without a win.

15. Tina Charles (2010-Current): 2012 MVP, nine All-WNBA (five first-team), all-time leading rebounder and four-time single-season rebounding leader, four-time All-Defense, two-time scoring leader and second all-time in scoring. Has never reached the WNBA Finals.

14. Elena Delle Donne (2013-2023): Two-time MVP, 2019 champion, five All-WNBA selections (four first-team), top free throw percentage all-time, fourth in player efficiency rating (PER). No All-Defense nods.

13. Nneka Ogwumike (2012-Current): 2016 MVP and champion, seven-time All-WNBA (one first-team), seven-time All-Defense. Top-10 all-time in scoring and steals.

12. Yolanda Griffith (1999-2008): Five-time All-WNBA (two first-team), two-time rebounding champ, two-time steals leader, 2005 champion and Finals MVP, seventh all-time in aWS. Won MVP and DPOY in first season in WNBA.

11. Sylvia Fowles (2008-2022): 2017 MVP, four-time DPOY, two-time champion, 11 All-Defensive teams, eight All-WNBA selections (three first-team), league leader in blocks twice and rebounds three times, fourth all-time in blocks, second in rebounding. Incredibly efficient and consistent – best true shooting percentage in history.

Tier 2: Generational Superstars

Four players often in G.O.A.T. talks, transformative impact, just below Tier 1.

10. Maya Moore (2011-2018): 2014 MVP, four WNBA titles, 2013 Finals MVP, seven All-WNBA selections (five first-team), two All-Defensive teams, second in career aWS per season, sixth in MVP shares. Top 12 all-time in PER, points, and steals. Greatest winner in the history of women’s basketball.

9. Candace Parker (2008-2022): Two-time MVP, 2020 DPOY, three titles with three teams, ten All-WNBA selections (seven first-team). Top 10 in history in aWS, MVP shares, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Only player to win ROY and MVP in same season.

8. Sheryl Swoopes (1998-2011): Four championships, three MVPs, three DPOYs, seven-time All-WNBA selection (five first-team), led league in scoring twice and steals twice, second all-time in steals per game. First WNBA signee and face of early league. Ranks just 14th in aWS and tenth in MVP shares.

7. Diana Taurasi (2004-2024): All-time leading scorer and three-point shooter, second most games played, three-time champion, 2009 MVP, 14-time All-WNBA, five scoring titles. Most offensive aWS, less decorated defensively (86th in defensive aWS).

Tier 1: The G.O.A.T. Conversation

Six legends with unmatched dominance, era-defining impact, and lasting legacy.

6. Cynthia Cooper (1997-2003): Two MVPs, four titles, four Finals MVPs, four All-WNBA teams, three scoring crowns, highest all-time aWS per season, first and second for most aWS in a season. Dominated in first year at age 33  but only played four full seasons plus another four games at age 40.

5. A’ja Wilson (2018-Current): Two DPOYs, two titles, 2023 Finals MVP, five All-WNBA selections (four first-team), four All-Defensive teams, blocks leader four times, fifth all-time in aWS per season, most MVP shares per season for career. Three MVPs in first seven seasons, including historic 2024 MVP season.

4. Breanna Stewart (2016-Current): Three-time champion, two-time MVP, two Finals MVPs, seven All-WNBA selections (six first-team), six All-Defensive teams, third in aWS per season. Has been in top three in MVP voting every season.

3. Lauren Jackson (2001-2012): Two titles, one DPOY, eight All-WNBA teams (seven first-team), five All-Defensive honors, three scoring titles, one rebounding crown, six-time leader in PER, three of top eight PER seasons in history, third in MVP shares, and third in aWS. Three MVPs including incredible 2007 campaign.

2. Lisa Leslie (1997-2009): Three MVPs, two titles, two DPOYs, 12 All-WNBA selections (eight first-team) in 12-year career, second in defensive aWS, first in defensive aWS per season. All-time leader in MVP shares.

1. Tamika Catchings (2002-2016): 2011 MVP and placed top three seven times, second in all-time MVP shares, 12 All-WNBA (seven first-team), five DPOYs, most DPOY shares all-time, 12 All-Defensive selections in last 12 years (would’ve been 15 in 15-year career if All-Defense was awarded her first three seasons), 2012 champion and Finals MVP. All-time leader in steals, defensive aWS, and aWS (22.2 ahead of second). The greatest WNBA player with elite offense and defense.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.