The WNBA has produced some of the most talented and impactful athletes in the world of sports. These women have shattered records, claimed numerous championships, and have left a lasting impact on basketball history.
In this article, we celebrate the top 15 WNBA legends, highlighting their incredible achievements and lasting contributions to the game.
15. Diana Taurasi
Diana Taurasi is a legendary WNBA player known for her scoring prowess. She is the all-time leader in points and 3-pointers, with three WNBA championships and six Olympic gold medals. Taurasi recently became the first player to score 10,000 career points in the WNBA.
14. Tamika Catchings
Tamika Catchings is a legendary WNBA player known for her impressive career with the Indiana Fever. She was a 10-time WNBA All-Star, 5-time Defensive Player of the Year, and won the 2012 WNBA championship. Catchings holds records for most steals and is a Naismith Hall of Famer.
13. Cynthia Cooper
Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is a legendary WNBA player known for leading the Houston Comets to four consecutive championships. She was a two-time WNBA MVP and four-time Finals MVP. Cooper was named one of the WNBA’s 25 greatest players in 2021.
12. Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie is a legendary WNBA player known for her dominance with the Los Angeles Sparks. She won three WNBA MVPs, two championships, and was the first to dunk in a WNBA game. Leslie also won four Olympic gold medals with the U.S. team.
11. Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes is a legendary WNBA player known for her three MVP awards and four championships with the Houston Comets. She was the first player signed by the WNBA and holds multiple records, including being a three-time Olympic gold medalist.
10. Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson is one of the most decorated WNBA players, with two championships and three MVPs. She played for the Seattle Storm and was a key figure in the Australian Opals, winning multiple Olympic medals. Jackson retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
9. Sue Bird
Sue Bird is a legendary WNBA player known for her four WNBA championships and five Olympic gold medals. She retired in 2022 after a storied career with the Seattle Storm, where she holds numerous records. Bird was named one of the WNBA’s Top 25 players in 2021.
8. Candace Parker
Candace Parker is a legendary WNBA player known for her versatility and dominance. She won three WNBA championships and was named MVP twice. Parker also holds two Olympic gold medals and was the first WNBA player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.
7. Maya Moore
Maya Moore is a legendary WNBA player known for her incredible winning record. She won four WNBA championships with the Minnesota Lynx and was named WNBA MVP in 2014. Moore also secured two Olympic gold medals and was selected for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.
6. Sylvia Fowles
Sylvia Fowles is a legendary WNBA player known for her dominance on the court. She won two WNBA championships and was named Finals MVP twice. Fowles also holds the record for most career rebounds and will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
5. Elena Delle Donne
Elena Delle Donne is a standout WNBA player known for her exceptional shooting accuracy. She holds the record for the highest career free throw percentage at 93.7% and was the first woman to join the 50–40–90 club. Delle Donne has won two WNBA MVP awards and led the Washington Mystics to a championship in 2019.
4. Tina Thompson
Tina Thompson is a WNBA legend, known for her four championships with the Houston Comets and two Olympic gold medals. She was the first overall pick in the inaugural WNBA draft and retired as the league’s all-time leading scorer with 7,488 points.
3. Cappie Pondexter
Cappie Pondexter is a standout WNBA player known for her scoring prowess and championships with the Phoenix Mercury. She was named the 2007 WNBA Finals MVP and selected among the WNBA Top 20@20 players. Pondexter retired after 13 seasons with a career average of 16.4 points per game.
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2. Yolanda Griffith
Yolanda Griffith is a legendary WNBA player known for her defensive prowess. She was the 1999 WNBA MVP and 2005 WNBA Finals MVP, leading the Sacramento Monarchs to a championship. Griffith was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
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1. Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart is a dominant force in the WNBA, with three championships (2018, 2020, 2024) and two MVP awards (2018, 2023). She also holds three Olympic gold medals and has been named to the All-WNBA First Team five times.
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