22 Best WNBA Players of All Time

The WNBA started in 1997 and has featured incredibly skilled women’s basketball players in the quarter of a century since its inception. Just like the men in the NBA, the best women’s basketball players elevate the WNBA to new heights, increasing popularity and helping all female athletes garner respect worldwide. The 22 best WNBA players ever shoot, rebound, and defend with supreme talent!

Diana Taurasi’s signature pull-up jumper and steady offensive skills make her the most recognizable star in women’s basketball history. After a historic career at UConn, Taurasi has spent two decades leading the Phoenix Mercury to three WNBA championships. Taurasi not only shoots better than her rivals, but she also handles the ball and passes like a point guard. Her offensive arsenal stands above all others.

Maya Moore’s short career (only eight seasons) holds her back from the top spot on the list, but her prime will never go unnoticed in basketball lore. Moore led the Minnesota Lynx to four titles by always making the right play, whether it was scoring, passing, or boxing out the competition. Moore retired to focus on ending social injustices in the United States.

Lisa Leslie pioneered the importance of a center in women’s basketball. Standing at 6’5’’, Leslie led the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA titles in the early 2000s. Her assortment of post moves helped her tower above others at her position and popularized women’s professional basketball in Los Angeles.

Tamika Catchings locked down her competition, winning five Defensive Player of the Year awards for her talents on the less-popular side of the court. Catchings made up for her lack of scoring compared to others by focusing on passing, rebounding, and getting into passing lanes.

Sheryl Swoopes helped build the WNBA from its inaugural season onward with incomparable talent on offense and defense. Swoopes played for the original women’s basketball dynasty, the Houston Comets, winning four consecutive championships alongside Cynthia Cooper and Tina Thompson.

Sue Bird brought comfort to the court for the Seattle Storm for 20 years. Fans knew when the brilliant point guard had the ball, good things were bound to happen. Bird navigated defenses with intelligence and knew when to pass and when to take over, winning four titles during her time in the Pacific Northwest.