Originally by Ranker SportsList RulesBest female basketball players to ever compete in the WNBA
From Brittney Griner to Diana Taurasi, we're ranking the best WNBA players of all time, many of whom find themselves still dominating as some of the greatest current WNBA players. Who are the legends of the Women's National Basketball Association? Composed of 12 all-women basketball teams, the WNBA was founded in 1996. Originally, all teams were owned by the NBA. But several teams, such as the Los Angeles Sparks and the Atlanta Dream, are independently owned. This distinction is incredibly important for the WNBA, as they've had the opportunity to distance themselves from the NBA and come into their own.
Early famous WNBA stars included Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Rebecca Lobo, all of whom helped the U.S. women's basketball team win the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. The Houston Comets, lead by four-time Finals MVP, Cynthia Cooper, dominated the WNBA from 1997 to 2000. Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks won back-to-back WNBA championships the next two years before she retired in 2009. Today's best women's basketball players include Lauren Jackson, Seimone Augustus and Tamika Catchings.
Who are the top WNBA players of all time? Vote for your favorite to the top of the list and see who's truly the best of the best!
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1,626747Diana Taurasi
Point guard, Shooting guardAge: 37
Birthplace: Glendale, California, United States of America
Number: 3
Diana Lorena Taurasi (born June 11, 1982) is an American professional basketball player for... more2
907367Sue Bird
Point guardAge: 39
Birthplace: Syosset, New York, United States of America
Number: 10
Suzanne Brigit Bird (born October 16, 1980), commonly known as Sue Bird, is an American... more3
1,395632Candace Parker
Power forward, CenterAge: 33
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
Candace Nicole Parker (born April 19, 1986) is an American professional basketball player who... more4
690265Elena Delle Donne
Small forwardAge: 30
Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware
Number: 11
Teams: Washington Mystics
Elena Delle Donne (born September 5, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for... more5
1,246564Maya Moore
Small forwardAge: 30
Birthplace: Jefferson City, Missouri
Maya April Moore (born June 11, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for the... more6
704296Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Denise Swoopes (born March 25, 1971) is a retired American professional basketball... more7
1,048471Lisa Leslie
CenterAge: 47
Birthplace: Gardena, California, United States of America
Lisa Deshaun Leslie (born July 7, 1972) is the Head Coach for Triplets in the BIG3... more8
732311Tamika Catchings
Small forwardAge: 40
Birthplace: Stratford, New Jersey, United States of America
Number: 24
Tamika Devonne Catchings (born July 21, 1979) is an American retired professional basketball... more9
726312Cynthia Cooper may refer to: Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, née Cynthia Cooper, basketball... more10
712329Lauren Jackson
CenterAge: 38
Birthplace: Albury, Australia
Number: 15
Lauren Elizabeth Jackson (born May 11, 1981) is an Australian former professional basketball... more11
346207Tina Thompson
Power forwardAge: 44
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Number: 7
Tina Marie Thompson (born February 10, 1975) is an American former WNBA professional... more12
335230Becky Hammon
Point guardAge: 42
Birthplace: Rapid City, South Dakota
Rebecca Lynn Hammon (born March 11, 1977) is a Russian-American assistant coach for the San... more13
258178Seimone Augustus
Shooting guard, Small forwardAge: 35
Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
Seimone Delicia Augustus (born April 30, 1984) is an American professional women's basketball... more14
240146Tina Charles
CenterAge: 32
Birthplace: Jamaica, New York City, New York
Number: 31
Tina Alexandria Charles (born December 5, 1988) is an American professional basketball player... more15
263187Chamique Holdsclaw
Small forward, Power forwardAge: 43
Birthplace: Astoria, New York City, New York, United States of America
Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw (born August 9, 1977) is a former professional basketball player in... more16
16199Angel McCoughtry
Small forwardAge: 34
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Number: 35
Teams: Atlanta Dream
Angel Lajuane McCoughtry (born September 10, 1986) is an American professional basketball... more17
340239Brittney Griner
CenterAge: 30
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
Brittney Yevette Griner (born October 18, 1990) is an American professional basketball player... more18
235164Dawn Michelle Staley (born May 4, 1970) is an American basketball Hall of Fame player and... more19
191140Teresa Gaye Weatherspoon (born December 8, 1965) is a retired American basketball player who... more20
8423Nnemkadi "Nneka" Ogwumike (born July 2, 1990) is an American basketball player of Nigerian... more21
12957Skylar diggins
Point guardBirthplace: South Bend, Indiana
Number: 4
Teams: Dallas Wings
Skylar Kierra Diggins-Smith (born August 2, 1990) is an American professional basketball... more22
275221Rebecca Lobo
ForwardAge: 46
Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America
Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin (born October 6, 1973) is an American television basketball analyst... more23
290237Lindsay Whalen
Point guardAge: 37
Birthplace: Hutchinson, Minnesota
Lindsay Marie Whalen Greve (born May 9, 1982) is the head coach of the University of... more24
187122Swin Cash
Power forwardAge: 41
Birthplace: McKeesport, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Swintayla Marie "Swin" Cash Canal (born September 22, 1979) is an American retired... more25
218163Katie Smith
Point guard, Shooting guardAge: 46
Birthplace: Lancaster, Ohio, United States of America
Number: 14
Katie Smith (born June 4, 1974) is an American retired professional basketball player and... more
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