Since its inception in 1996, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been the premier showcase for the world’s best female basketball talent. In 2011, fans, coaches, and the media voted fifteen players as the best and most influential. Here’s a list of those fifteen whose skill and passion have uplifted the WNBA and continue to shape the future of women’s basketball worldwide.
Sue Bird
Sue Bird, a legendary point guard for the Seattle Storm, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in WNBA history. Her remarkable career spanned two decades, during which she secured four WNBA championships (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020). Bird’s exceptional skills earned her 13 WNBA All-Star selections and five All-WNBA First Team honors.
Tamika Catchings
Small forward Tamika Catchings’s 15-year career with the Indiana Fever impacted women’s basketball. A ten-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist, Catchings also ranks among the elite few who have won an NCAA championship, a WNBA championship, and FIBA World Cup gold.
Cynthia Cooper
Celebrated as one of the pioneers of the WNBA, Cooper-Dyke’s career is marked by unprecedented success. She won four consecutive WNBA championships with the Houston Comets (1997-2000), during which she was named Finals MVP each time. Cooper was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2009) and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2010).
Yolanda Griffith
A former WNBA MVP, Griffith led the Monarchs to a WNBA championship in 2005, where she also earned Finals MVP honors. Yolanda is one of the most dominant centers in WNBA history. Her eight WNBA All-Star selections and reputation as a tenacious defender secured her a place in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Becky Hammon
A dynamic point guard known for scoring and playmaking, Becky Hammon notably impacted the WNBA over her 15-year career. The six-time WNBA All-Star was named to the All-WNBA First Team and the All-WNBA Second Team, twice. After becoming a naturalized Russian citizen in 2008, she aided the Russian team’s bronze at the Olympics.
Lauren Jackson
The daughter of national-level balling parents, Jackson’s impact on both ends of the floor was highlighted by her seven WNBA All-Star selections, three scoring titles, and a 2007 Defensive Player of the Year award. The Australian star is widely recognized as one of the most significant international players in the WNBA.
Lisa Leslie
Leslie was the first player to dunk in a WNBA game and led the Sparks to back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002, earning Finals MVP honors both years. Her dominance is reflected in her eight All-Star selections and impressive career statistics, including 6,263 points (17.3 ppg) and 3,307 rebounds (9.1 rpg).
Ticha Penicheiro
Four-time WNBA All-Star and three-time All-WNBA selection, Penicheiro was admitted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. The Portuguese point guard is one of the best players in the WNBA, leading the league in assists seven times and ranking third all-time. She even set the school record with 591 steals.
Cappie Pondexter
Known for her fast crossovers and accurate midrange jump shot, Pondexter is a two-time WNBA champion with the Phoenix Mercury. She won seven WNBA All-Star selections and was named to the All-WNBA First Team three times. Her collegiate career at Rutgers University earned her multiple Player of the Year honors.
Katie Smith
Accumulating over 7,000 points across her ABL and WNBA careers, Katie Smith was titled the all-time leading scorer in women’s professional basketball. She was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2008 and won seven WNBA All-Star selections. One of the most versatile players, she could play small forward, shooting guard, and occasionally point guard.
Dawn Staley
Dawn Staley’s impact on women’s basketball spans her playing career and beyond. As a point guard, she excelled in college basketball before an eight-season WNBA career, mostly with the Charlotte Sting. Her international success includes three Olympic golds as a player and another as the head coach of the US women’s national team in 2021.
Sheryl Swoopes
Often referred to as the “female Michael Jordan,” Sheryl Swoopes is a true legend of women’s basketball. As the first player signed to the WNBA, she set the standard for excellence in the league. Her career has been marked with numerous awards, including four WNBA championships, three WNBA MVP awards, and six WNBA All-Star selections.
Diana Taurasi
On being drafted first overall in 2004, Taurasi has won three WNBA championships and earned a WNBA MVP award in 2009. She is the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, a five-time scoring champion, and a ten-time All-Star. Taurasi’s international success is equally impressive, with six Olympic gold medals and three FIBA World Cup victories.
Tina Thompson
As the first-ever WNBA college draft pick, Thompson had a lasting influence on women’s basketball throughout her life. A key player for the Houston Comets, she contributed to four consecutive WNBA Championships from 1997 to 2000. Being a nine-time WNBA All-Star, she was the only player named an All-Star in three different decades.
Teresa Weatherspoon
Weatherspoon was well-known for her fierce defense while playing guard for the Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty. She won the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice and five WNBA All-Star selections. Weatherspoon was admitted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Top 15 WNBA Players of All Time