WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All Time
As a basketball fan, I have always been fascinated by the WNBA and the talented athletes who compete in it. Over the years, there have been many amazing players who have left their mark on the league. In this article, I will be counting down the top 15 WNBA players of all time, based on their individual achievements, impact on the game, and overall legacy.
Curiosities, Top Statistics, Facts, and Interesting Information
- Diana Taurasi is the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history, with over 8,000 points.
- Lisa Leslie was the first player to dunk in a WNBA game, doing so on July 30, 2002.
- The WNBA was founded in 1996 and has since grown to 12 teams.
- The league’s most valuable player award is named after former Los Angeles Lakers player and coach, Bill Russell.
- Candace Parker was the first player to win both the WNBA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in the same season.
15. Cheryl Miller
Cheryl Miller is widely regarded as one of the best female basketball players of all time. She played for the USC Trojans in college, where she won two national championships and was named the Naismith College Player of the Year three times. In the WNBA, Miller played for the Phoenix Mercury and was a two-time All-Star. She was also the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Cal State LA.
14. Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon is a former WNBA player who is now an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. She played for the New York Liberty and San Antonio Stars during her WNBA career and was a six-time All-Star. Hammon is known for her scoring ability and was named one of the WNBA’s Top 20 Players of All Time in 2016.
13. Cynthia Cooper
Cynthia Cooper was a dominant player in the early years of the WNBA. She played for the Houston Comets and won four consecutive championships from 1997-2000. Cooper was a two-time WNBA MVP and was named Finals MVP in each of her four championship seasons. She was also a two-time scoring champion and was named to the All-WNBA First Team five times.
12. Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart is a current player for the Seattle Storm and has already made a huge impact on the league. She was the first overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft and went on to win Rookie of the Year honors. Stewart has since won two championships, two Finals MVP awards, and has been named the league’s MVP once. She is widely considered one of the best players in the game today.
11. Teresa Weatherspoon
Teresa Weatherspoon was a point guard for the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks during her WNBA career. She was a five-time All-Star and was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998. Weatherspoon is perhaps best known for her buzzer-beating half-court shot in Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA Finals, which helped the Liberty win their first-ever championship.
10. Yolanda Griffith
Yolanda Griffith was a dominant post player who played for the Sacramento Monarchs and Seattle Storm during her WNBA career. She won a championship with the Monarchs in 2005 and was named Finals MVP. Griffith was also a six-time All-Star, two-time rebounding champion, and one-time Defensive Player of the Year. She retired in 2009 as one of the best players in league history.
9. Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie is a three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medalist. She played for the Los Angeles Sparks and was a key player on their two championship teams in 2001 and 2002. Leslie was also the first player to dunk in a WNBA game and was named one of the league’s Top 20 Players of All Time in 2016.
8. Seimone Augustus
Seimone Augustus is a former player for the Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks. She won four championships with the Lynx and was named Finals MVP in 2011. Augustus was also a seven-time All-Star and won the league’s Rookie of the Year award in 2006. She retired in 2021, leaving behind a legacy as one of the best shooting guards in WNBA history.
7. Tamika Catchings
Tamika Catchings is a former player for the Indiana Fever and was one of the most versatile players in WNBA history. She won a championship with the Fever in 2012 and was named Finals MVP. Catchings was also a five-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time All-Star, and was named the league’s MVP in 2011. She is now the general manager of the Fever.
6. Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson is a former player for the Seattle Storm and is widely regarded as one of the best international players in WNBA history. She won two championships with the Storm and was named Finals MVP both times. Jackson was also a three-time WNBA MVP, seven-time All-Star, and two-time scoring champion. She retired in 2016 as one of the most dominant players in league history.
5. Candace Parker
Candace Parker is a current player for the Chicago Sky and is one of the most complete players in WNBA history. She won two championships with the Los Angeles Sparks and was named Finals MVP both times. Parker was also the first player to win both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season and has since won a second MVP award. She is a five-time All-Star and one of the most versatile players in the game today.
4. Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes is a three-time WNBA MVP and four-time champion with the Houston Comets. She was also the first player to sign with the WNBA when it was founded in 1996. Swoopes was known for her scoring ability and was named the league’s scoring champion three times. She was also a six-time All-Star and is widely regarded as one of the best players in WNBA history.
3. Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
Cynthia Cooper-Dyke was a teammate of Sheryl Swoopes on the Houston Comets and was one of the most dominant players of her era. She won four championships with the Comets and was named Finals MVP in each of those seasons. Cooper-Dyke was also a two-time scoring champion and is widely regarded as one of the best clutch performers in WNBA history.
2. Maya Moore
Maya Moore is a former player for the Minnesota Lynx and is widely considered one of the best players of her generation. She won four championships with the Lynx and was named Finals MVP three times. Moore was also the league’s MVP in 2014 and is known for her scoring ability and clutch performances in big moments. She took a hiatus from basketball in 2019 to focus on social justice issues.
1. Diana Taurasi
Diana Taurasi is the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history and is widely regarded as one of the best players in the game today. She has won three championships with the Phoenix Mercury and has been named Finals MVP twice. Taurasi is also a one-time league MVP and is known for her scoring ability and clutch performances in big moments. She is a ten-time All-Star and one of the most dominant players in WNBA history.
FAQs
Who is the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history?
The all-time leading scorer in WNBA history is Diana Taurasi, who has scored over 8,000 points in her career.
Who is the best player in WNBA history?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it is subjective and open to interpretation. However, many consider Diana Taurasi to be the best player in WNBA history, based on her individual achievements and impact on the game.
Who has won the most championships in WNBA history?
The team with the most championships in WNBA history is the Houston Comets, who won four consecutive titles from 1997-2000.
Who is the only player to win both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season?
The only player to win both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season is Candace Parker, who accomplished this feat in 2008.
Who was the first player to dunk in a WNBA game?
The first player to dunk in a WNBA game was Lisa Leslie, who did so on July 30, 2002.