The Top 10 WNBA Players of the World!

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has produced some of the greatest basketball players of all time. From pioneers like Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes to modern-day stars like Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker, the league has showcased exceptional talent and athleticism. 

In this article, we will look at the top 10 WNBA players of all time, their skills, teams, best performances, and achievements.

Top 10 WNBA Players

Lisa Leslie

Lisa Leslie is one of the most recognizable faces in the WNBA. She is widely considered one of the greatest female basketball players of all time. Leslie was born in 1972 in Gardena, California, and began playing basketball at the age of 10. She attended Morningside High School, where she played on the girls’ basketball team, and later went on to play college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC). Leslie was one of the first players to be signed to the newly formed WNBA in 1997. She played her entire career with the Los Angeles Sparks and led the team to two WNBA Championships in 2001 and 2002. Leslie is a three-time WNBA MVP and was named to the All-WNBA First Team eight times. She was also a member of the US Women’s Olympic Basketball team, winning four gold medals from 1996 to 2008. 

Leslie was known for her size and athleticism, standing at 6’5” tall. She was a dominant player in the paint and was known for her ability to score, rebound, and block shots. Leslie was also a skilled passer and could create opportunities for her teammates. She was a versatile player who could play both inside and outside the paint. Leslie’s contributions to the sport of basketball have been immense. She was a role model for young girls who aspired to be professional athletes and showed that women could be just as skilled and competitive as men. Leslie’s success on and off the court paved the way for future generations of female basketball players.

Sheryl Swoopes

Sheryl Swoopes is another legend of the WNBA and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. She played for the Houston Comets from 1997 to 2007 and also had stints with the Seattle Storm and Tulsa Shock. Swoopes is a three-time MVP of the WNBA and was named Defensive Player of the Year three times as well. She was also a six-time All-Star and won four championships with the Comets.

Swoopes was known for her exceptional scoring ability and was one of the most dominant offensive players in the league. She was a versatile player who could play multiple positions and was a strong defender as well. Swoopes’ best season came in 2000, when she averaged 20.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. She was also named the Finals MVP that year after leading the Comets to their fourth straight championship.

Off the court, Swoopes has been an advocate for LGBT rights and came out as a lesbian in 2005, becoming the first openly gay player in the WNBA. She has also been a vocal supporter of breast cancer research and has worked with organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the cause. Swoopes’ impact on and off the court has made her a beloved figure in the world of women’s basketball.

Tamika Catchings

Tamika Catchings is one of the most accomplished players in the history of the WNBA. She played for the Indiana Fever from 2002 to 2016 and won the league’s MVP award in 2011. Catchings was also named the Finals MVP in 2012 after leading the Fever to their first championship.

Catchings was known for her all-around game, as she was a dominant scorer, rebounder, and defender. She was a ten-time All-Star and won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award five times. Catchings also won four Olympic gold medals with the US Women’s Basketball team.

Off the court, Catchings has been an advocate for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, as she herself has a hearing impairment. She has also worked with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics to promote education and fitness. Catchings’ impact on and off the court has made her one of the most beloved players in the WNBA.

Read Also: The Top 10 Best Players in the NBA

Candace Parker

Candace Parker is one of the most talented and versatile players in the history of the WNBA. She has played for both the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky during her career, and has won numerous awards and accolades along the way.

Parker was the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft and immediately made an impact, winning the Rookie of the Year award and leading the Sparks to the playoffs. She was named the league’s MVP in 2008 and 2013, and has been named to the All-WNBA First Team five times. Parker is known for her ability to score from anywhere on the court, as well as her exceptional rebounding and playmaking skills. She has also been a standout on the defensive end of the court, earning the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020.

Off the court, Parker is a well-known commentator and analyst for NBA and WNBA games. She has also been an advocate for social justice issues, speaking out on topics such as police brutality and racial inequality. With her incredible skill set and impact both on and off the court, Parker is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the WNBA.

Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi is one of the most successful and accomplished players in the history of the WNBA. She has spent her entire career with the Phoenix Mercury, and has won numerous championships, awards, and accolades along the way.

Taurasi is a scoring machine, known for her incredible ability to put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court. She has won the WNBA scoring title a record five times, and has been named the league’s MVP three times. In addition, she has been named to the All-WNBA First Team nine times and has won four Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

Off the court, Taurasi is known for her competitive and fiery personality, as well as her sense of humor and love of the game. She is also a dedicated advocate for women’s sports and gender equality. With her impressive resume and impact on the game, Taurasi is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the WNBA.

Cynthia Cooper

Cynthia Cooper is a former WNBA player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the league’s history. She spent most of her career with the Houston Comets, where she won four consecutive WNBA championships and was named the league’s MVP in each of those years.

Cooper was known for her scoring ability and clutch performances, often coming up big in important games and making game-winning shots. She was a five-time All-Star and was named to the All-WNBA First Team four times. She was also a two-time scoring champion and was named to the WNBA’s All-Decade Team in 2006.

After retiring as a player, Cooper went on to have a successful coaching career, including stints as the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury and the USC women’s basketball team. Cooper’s impact on the game of basketball, both as a player and a coach, is undeniable, and she remains an inspiration to aspiring female basketball players around the world.

Lauren Jackson

Lauren Jackson is an Australian former professional basketball player who is widely considered one of the greatest WNBA players of all time. She spent her entire 12-year career with the Seattle Storm, where she helped lead the team to two WNBA championships in 2004 and 2010.

Jackson was known for her versatility on the court, as she was able to play multiple positions and contribute in a variety of ways. She was a nine-time All-Star and was named the league’s MVP three times. She also won two WNBA scoring titles and was named to the All-WNBA First Team five times. In addition to her success in the WNBA, Jackson also had a decorated international career, representing Australia in the Olympics and other international competitions. She is a three-time Olympic silver medalist and was named the tournament MVP in the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Despite struggling with injuries towards the end of her career, Jackson’s impact on the game of basketball both in Australia and in the United States is undeniable. She remains a beloved figure in the basketball community and continues to inspire young players around the world.

Tina Thompson

Tina Thompson is a former professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time. She was the first draft pick in WNBA history and spent 17 seasons in the league, playing for the Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, and Seattle Storm. Thompson was known for her exceptional scoring ability and versatile playing style. She was a nine-time All-Star and was named to the All-WNBA First Team four times. She also won four WNBA championships with the Houston Comets and was named the Finals MVP in 2000.

Throughout her career, Thompson was a dominant force on the court, consistently ranking among the league leaders in points, rebounds, and steals. She retired as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer with 7,488 points and remains in the top five in several other statistical categories. Thompson’s impact on the game of basketball extends beyond her playing career. She has served as an assistant coach for the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team and has been a vocal advocate for gender and racial equality in sports. She continues to inspire young players around the world with her passion and dedication to the game.

Sue Bird

Sue Bird is widely regarded as one of the best point guards in the history of the WNBA. She was born on October 16, 1980, in Syosset, New York. Bird played her college basketball at the University of Connecticut, where she won two NCAA championships and was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2002.

After being selected as the first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm, Bird has spent her entire career with the team. She has won four WNBA championships with the Storm, in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020. She has also been named to the All-WNBA First Team a record-tying seven times and the WNBA All-Defensive Team five times. Bird is known for her exceptional ball-handling skills, court vision, and ability to hit clutch shots. She is also an excellent passer, averaging 5.4 assists per game over her career. Bird has been named to the WNBA All-Star team 12 times and was named the game’s MVP in 2003.

Off the court, Bird has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has been in a relationship with US women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe since 2016. She has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting causes related to education and sports for girls.

Yolanda Griffith

Yolanda Griffith is another WNBA legend who deserves to be on this list. She played for 11 seasons in the league from 1999 to 2010 and was known for her toughness and physicality on the court. Griffith was a seven-time All-Star and won the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice in her career.

One of the most memorable moments of Griffith’s career came in the 2005 WNBA Finals when she led the Sacramento Monarchs to their first and only championship. Griffith was named the Finals MVP after averaging 16.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in the series.

Off the court, Griffith has been involved in various charitable causes and is a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness. She has also been a vocal supporter of the WNBA and women’s basketball in general, and has worked as a coach and analyst since retiring from playing.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the WNBA has seen some incredible players throughout its history, and these top 10 players are undoubtedly the best of the best. Each player has their unique set of skills, achievements, and contributions to the league, making it challenging to rank them definitively. However, these ten players stand out as the most accomplished and dominant in WNBA history.

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