Loading AI tools
Top 25 WNBA players of all time, chosen 2021 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The W25 are the Women's National Basketball Association's Top 25 Players of All Time, chosen in 2021 on the occasion of the 25th season of the WNBA from amongst 72 nominees compiled by the league. The group, selected by a panel consisting of media members and pioneering women's basketball figures, was to comprise the 25 best and most influential players of the first 25 years of the WNBA, with consideration also accorded to sportsmanship, community service, leadership, and 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:
The W25 were announced on September 5, 2021 at halftime of the Las Vegas Aces–Chicago Sky game, televised in the U.S. by ABC.[1]
The announcement of The W25 was immediately followed by "Vote for the GOAT". From September 5–19, fans voted on the WNBA's official website, the WNBA's mobile app, and Twitter to determine which member of The W25 they considered to be the league's greatest of all time. Before Game 1 of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Diana Taurasi was announced as the fans' "GOAT".[2]
^ | Denotes player who was still active in the WNBA at this time |
~ | Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame |
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
Player | Nationality | Position | Team(s) | League titles | League awards | All-Star Games | All-Decade Team | Top 15 Team | Top 20 Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seimone Augustus | ![]() | SF | Minnesota Lynx (2006–2019) Los Angeles Sparks (2020) | 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 | Finals MVP (2011) ROY (2006) 6× All-WNBA | 2006–2007, 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018 | — | Nominated | Yes |
Sue Bird^ | ![]() | PG | Seattle Storm (2002–2012, 2014–2018, 2020–2022; entire career) | 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 | KPSA (2011, 2017, 2018) 8× All-WNBA | 2002, 2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Swin Cash | ![]() | PF | Detroit Shock (2002–2007) Seattle Storm (2008–2011) Chicago Sky (2012–2013) Atlanta Dream (2014) New York Liberty (2014–2016) | 2003, 2006, 2010 | ASG MVP (2009, 2011) KPSA (2013) 2× All-WNBA | 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 | Nominated | Nominated | Yes |
Tamika Catchings | ![]() | SF | Indiana Fever (2002–2016; entire career) | 2012 | MVP (2011) Finals MVP (2012) ROY (2002) DPOY (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012) KPSA (2010, 2013) 12× All-WNBA 12× All-Defensive | 2002–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tina Charles^ | ![]() | C | Connecticut Sun (2010–2013) New York Liberty (2014–2019) Washington Mystics (2021–) Phoenix Mercury (2022) Seattle Storm (2022) Atlanta Dream (2024–) | None | MVP (2012) ROY (2010) 9× All-WNBA 4× All-Defensive | 2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021 | — | — | Nominated |
Cynthia Cooper | ![]() | SG | Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2003; entire career) | 1997–2000 | MVP (1997, 1998) Finals MVP (1997–2000) 4× All-WNBA | 1999, 2000, 2003 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Elena Delle Donne^ | ![]() | F/G | Chicago Sky (2013–2016) Washington Mystics (2017–2023) | 2019 | 2x MVP (2015, 2019) ROY (2013) 5× All-WNBA | 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2023 | — | — | Nominated |
Sylvia Fowles^ | ![]() | C | Chicago Sky (2008–2014) Minnesota Lynx (2015–2022) | 2015, 2017 | MVP (2017) Finals MVP (2015, 2017) 4x DPOY (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021) 8× All-WNBA 11× All-Defensive | 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017–2019, 2021, 2022 | — | — | Nominated |
Yolanda Griffith | ![]() | C | Sacramento Monarchs (1999–2007) Seattle Storm (2008) Indiana Fever (2009) | 2005 | MVP (1999) Finals MVP (2005) DPOY (1999) ASG MVP (2004) 5×All-WNBA | 1999–2001, 2003, 2005–2007 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Brittney Griner^ | ![]() | C | Phoenix Mercury (2013–; entire career to date) | 2014 | DPOY (2014, 2015) 5× All-WNBA 6× All-Defensive | 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021 | — | — | Nominated |
Becky Hammon | ![]() ![]() | PG | New York Liberty (1999–2006) San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars (2007–2014) | None | KPSA (2014) 4×All-WNBA | 2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011 | Nominated | Yes | Yes |
Lauren Jackson | ![]() | C | Seattle Storm (2001–2012; entire career) | 2004, 2010 | MVP (2003, 2007, 2010) Finals MVP (2010) DPOY (2007) 8×All-WNBA | 2001–2003, 2005–2007, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lisa Leslie | ![]() | C | Los Angeles Sparks (1997–2009) (entire career) | 2001, 2002 | MVP (2001, 2004, 2006) Finals MVP (2001, 2002) ASG MVP (1999, 2001, 2002) DPOY (2004, 2008) 12×All-WNBA | 1999–2003, 2005–2006, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Angel McCoughtry^ | ![]() | F/G | Atlanta Dream (2009–2018) Las Vegas Aces (2020–2021) Minnesota Lynx (2022) | None | ROY (2009) 6× All-WNBA 8× All-Defensive | 2011, 2013–2015, 2018 | — | — | Nominated |
Maya Moore | ![]() | SF | Minnesota Lynx (2011–2018; entire career)[lower-alpha 1] | 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 | MVP (2014) Finals MVP (2013) ASG MVP (2015, 2017, 2018) ROY (2011) 7× All-WNBA 2× All-Defensive | 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018 | — | — | Yes |
Nneka Ogwumike^ | ![]() | PF | Los Angeles Sparks (2012–2023) Seattle Storm (2024-) | 2016 | MVP (2016) ROY (2012) KPSA (2019, 2020) 6× All-WNBA 6× All-Defensive | 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2022, 2023 | — | — | Nominated |
Candace Parker^ | ![]() | PF | Los Angeles Sparks (2008–2020) Chicago Sky (2021–2022) Las Vegas Aces (2023–) | 2016, 2021, 2023 | MVP (2008, 2013) DPOY (2020) ASG MVP (2013) Finals MVP (2016) ROY (2008) 10× All-WNBA 2× All-Defensive | 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 | — | Nominated | Yes |
Ticha Penicheiro | ![]() | PG | Sacramento Monarchs (1998–2009) Los Angeles Sparks (2010–2011) Chicago Sky (2012) | 2005 | 3× All-WNBA 1× All-Defensive | 1999–2002 | Honorable mention | Yes | Yes |
Cappie Pondexter | ![]() | SG | Phoenix Mercury (2006–2009) New York Liberty (2010–2014) Chicago Sky (2015–2017) Los Angeles Sparks (2018) Indiana Fever (2018) | 2007, 2009 | Finals MVP (2007) 4× All-WNBA 1× All-Defensive | 2006–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2015 | — | Yes | Yes |
Katie Smith | ![]() | SG | Minnesota Lynx (1999–2005) Detroit Shock (2005–2009) Washington Mystics (2010) Seattle Storm (2011–2012) New York Liberty (2013) | 2006, 2008 | Finals MVP (2008) 4×All-WNBA | 2000–2003, 2005–2006, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Breanna Stewart^ | ![]() | PF | Seattle Storm (2016–2022) New York Liberty (2023-) | 2018, 2020 | MVP (2018, 2023) Finals MVP (2018, 2020) ROY (2016) 6× All-WNBA 5× All-Defensive | 2017, 2018, 2021-2023 | — | — | — |
Sheryl Swoopes | ![]() | SF | Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2002–2007) Seattle Storm (2008) Tulsa Shock (2011) | 1997–2000 | MVP (2000, 2002, 2005) DPOY (2000, 2002, 2003) ASG MVP (2005) 7× All-WNBA 2× All-Defensive | 1999, 2000, 2002–2003, 2005–2006 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Diana Taurasi^ | ![]() | SG | Phoenix Mercury (2004–2014, 2016–; entire career to date) | 2007, 2009, 2014 | MVP (2009) Finals MVP (2009, 2014) ROY (2004) 14× All-WNBA | 2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2014, 2017–2018, 2021 | Honorable mention | Yes | Yes |
Tina Thompson | ![]() | SF | Houston Comets (1997–2008) Los Angeles Sparks (2009–2011) Seattle Storm (2012–2013) | 1997–2000 | ASG MVP (2000) 8× All-WNBA | 1999–2003, 2006, 2007, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lindsay Whalen | ![]() | PG | Connecticut Sun (2004-2009) Minnesota Lynx (2010–2018) | 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 | 5× All-WNBA | 2006, 2011, 2013–2015 | No | No | Yes |
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.