Source: Sportico / Getty
March is Women’s History Month! The annual observance is used to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. In celebration, we put together a gallery showcasing 25 of the women that helped make the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) the league it is today.
In 2021, the WNBA celebrated its 25th year in existence. For the occasion, the league compiled a list of 72 nominees with the intention of comprising the 25 best and most influential players of the first 25 years of the league’s history. A panel consisting of media members and pioneering women’s basketball figures selected the group. In addition to their on court dominance, other things that were taken into consideration were sportsmanship, community service, leadership and overall contribution to the growth of women’s basketball. To be considered, players had to have competed in the WNBA for at least two seasons, and fit at least four of seven criteria:
- Winning a major individual playing award.
- Selection to at least one All-WNBA Team at any level.
- Selection to at least one WNBA All-Defensive Team at any level.
- Selection for at least one WNBA All-Star Game.
- Member of at least one WNBA championship team.
- A ranking among the top 40 career leaders in any major statistical category, as of the start of the 2021 season.
- Winner of the WNBA’s season-long Community Assist Award.
These women have been exemplary role models to women worldwide. They’ve not only shown that they can be fierce competitors on the hardwood, but they’ve also displayed that the same tenacity can be shown in every other field. These ladies are established business women, respected community leaders and so many other things. In an effort to give them the flowers they rightfully deserve, we put together a gallery of the W25. Get to know these extraordinary women below!
Girls Is Players Too: Highlighting The W25 (The Top 25 WNBA Players Of All Time) was originally published on globalgrind.com
1. Seimone Augustus
Source:moneymone33Teams: Minnesota Lynx (2006-2019); Los Angeles Sparks (2020)
League Titles: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
League Awards: Finals MVP (2011), Rookie Of The Year (2006), 6x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2006-2007, 2011, 2013-2015, 2017, 2018
2. Sue Bird
Source:sbird10Teams: Seattle Storm (2002-2012, 2014-2018, 2020-2022)
League Titles: 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020
League Awards: Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2011, 2017, 2018), 8x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2002-2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011, 2014-2015, 2017, 2018, 2021
3. Swin Cash
Source:swincashTeams: Detroit Shock (2002-2007), Seattle Storm (2008-2011), Chicago Sky (2012-2013), Atlanta Dream (2014), New York Liberty (2014-2016)
League Titles: 2003, 2006, 2010
League Awards: All-Star Game MVP (2009, 2011), Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2013), 2x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011
4. Tamika Catchings
Source:catchin24Teams: Indiana Fever (2002-2016; entire career)
League Titles: 2012
League Awards: MVP (2011), Finals MVP (2012), Rookie Of The Year (2002), Defensive Player Of The Year (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012), Kim Perrot Sportmanship Award (2010, 2013), 12x All-WNBA, 12x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2002-2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011
5. Tina Charles
Source:tina31charlesTeams: Connecticut Sun (2010–2013), New York Liberty (2014–2019), Washington Mystics (2021–)
League Titles:
League Awards: MVP (2012) Rookie Of The Year (2010), 9x All-WNBA, 4x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2011, 2013-2015, 2017-2019, 2021
6. Cynthia Cooper
Source:ccooper14Teams: Houston Comets (1997-2000, 2003; entire career)
League Titles: 1997-2000
League Awards: MVP (1997, 1998), Finals MVP (1997-2000), 4x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 1999, 2000, 2003
7. Elena Delle Donne
Source:de11edonneTeams: Chicago Sky (2013-2016), Washington Mystics (2017-2019, 2021-)
League Titles: 2019
League Awards: MVP (2015, 2019), Rookie Of The Year (2013), 5x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2013-2015, 2017-2019
8. Sylvia Fowles
Source:sylvia_fowlesTeams: Chicago Sky (2008-2014), Minnesota Lynx (2015-2022)
League Titles: 2015, 2017
League Awards: MVP (2017), Finals MVP (2015, 2017), Defensive Player Of The Year (2011, 2013, 2016), 6x All-WNBA, 9x All-Defensive
All-Star Games:
9. Yolanda Griffith
Source:ygriffith3313Teams: Sacramento Monarchs (1999-2007), Seattle Storm (2008), Indiana Fever (2009)
League Titles: 2005
League Awards: MVP (1999), Finals MVP (2005), Defensive Player Of The Year (1999), All-Star Game MVP (2004), 5x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 1999-2001, 2003, 2005-2007
10. Brittney Griner
Source:brittneyyevettegrinerTeams: Phoenix Mercury (2013-; entire career to date)
League Titles: 2014
League Awards: Defensive Player Of The Year (2014, 2015), 5x All-WNBA, 6x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2013-2015, 2017-2019, 2021
11. Becky Hammon
Source:officialbeckyhammonTeams: New York Liberty (1999-2006), San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars (2007-2014)
League Titles:
League Awards: Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2014), 4x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011
12. Lauren Jackson
Source:laurenelizabethjacksonTeams: Seattle Storm (2001-2012; entire career)
League Titles: 2004, 2010
League Awards: MVP (2003, 2007, 2010) Finals MVP (2010), Defensive Player Of The Year (2007), 8x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2001-2003, 2005-2007, 2009
13. Lisa Leslie
Source:lisaleslieTeams: Los Angeles Sparks (1997-2009; entire career)
League Titles: 2001, 2002
League Awards: MVP (2001, 2004, 2006), Finals MVP (2001, 2002), All-Star Game MVP (1999, 2001, 2002), Defensive Player Of The Year (2004, 2008), 12x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 1999-2003, 2005-2006, 2009
14. Angel McCoughtry
Source:mccoughtryTeams: Atlanta Dream (2009-2018), Las Vegas Aces (2020-)
League Titles:
League Awards: Rookie Of The Year (2009), 5x All-WNBA, 8x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2011, 2013-2015, 2018
15. Maya Moore
Source:mooremayaTeams: Minnesota Lynx (2011-2018; entire career)
League Titles: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
League Awards: MVP (2014), Finals MVP (2013), All-Star Game MVP (2015, 2017, 2018), Rookie Of The Year (2011), 7x All-WNBA, 2x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2011, 2013-2015, 2017, 2018
16. Nneka Ogwumike
Source:nnekaogwumikeTeams: Los Angeles Sparks (2012-; entire career to date)
League Titles: 2016
League Awards: MVP (2016), Finals MVP (2016), Rookie Of The Year (2012), Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2019, 2020), 4x All-WNBA, 5x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2013-2015, 2017-2019
17. Candace Parker
Source:candaceparkerTeams: Los Angeles Sparks (2008-2020), Chicago Sky (2021-)
League Titles: 2016
League Awards: MVP (2008, 2013), Defensive Player Of The Year (2020), All-Star Game MVP (2013), FInals MVP (2016), Rookie Of The Year (2008), 9x All-WNBA, 2x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2011, 2013-2014, 2017-2018
18. Ticha Penicheiro
Source:tichapenicheiroTeams:Sacramento Monarchs (1998-2009), Los Angeles Sparks (2010-2011), Chicago Sky (2012)
League Titles: 2005
League Awards: 3x All-WNBA, 1x All-Defensive
All-Star Games:1999-2002
19. Cappie Pondexter
Source:cappa23Teams: Phoenix Mercury (2006-2009), New York Liberty (2010-2014), Chicago Sky (2015-2017), Los Angeles Sparks (2018), Indiana Fever (2018)
League Titles: 2007, 2009
League Awards: Finals MVP (2007), 4x All-WNBA, 1x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2006-2007, 2009, 2011, 2013-2015
20. Katie Smith
Source:Getty
Teams: Minnesota Lynx (1999-2005), Detroit Shock (2005-2009), Washington Mystics (2010), Seattle Storm (2011-2012), New York Libety (2013)
League Titles: 2006, 2008
League Awards: Finals MVP (2008), 4x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2000-2003, 2005-2006, 2009
21. Breanna Stewart
Source:breannastewart30Teams: Seattle Storm (2016-2022), New York Liberty (2023-)
League Titles: 2018, 2020
League Awards: MVP (2018), Finals MVP (2018, 2020), Rookie Of The Year (2016), 3x All-WNBA, 2x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
22. Sheryl Swoopes
Source:airswoopes22Teams: Houston Comets (1997-2000, 2002-2007), Seattle Storm (2008), Tulsa Shock (2011)
League Titles: 1997-2000
League Awards: MVP (2000, 2002, 2005), Defensive Player Of The Year (2000, 2002, 2003), All-Star Game MVP (2005), 7x All-WNBA, 2x All-Defensive
All-Star Games: 1999, 2000, 2002-2003, 2005-2006
23. Diana Taurasi
Source:dianataurasiTeams: Phoenix Mercury (2004-2014, 2016-; entire career to date)
League Titles: 2007, 2009, 2014
League Awards: MVP (2009), Finals MVP (2009, 2014), Rookie Of The Year (2004), 14x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2005-2007, 2009, 2011, 2013-2014, 2017-2018, 2021
24. Tina Thompson
Source:iamtinathompsonTeams: Houston Comets (1997-2008), Los Angeles Sparks (2009-2011), Seattle Storm (2012-2013)
League Titles: 1997-2000
League Awards: All-Star Gane MVP (2000), 8x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 1999-2003, 2006, 2007, 2009
25. Lindsay Whalen
Source:lindsaywhalenTeams: Connecticut Sun (2004-2009), Minnesota Lynx (2010-2018)
League Titles: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
League Awards: 5x All-WNBA
All-Star Games: 2006, 2011, 2013-2015
