11 Best WNBA Players of All Time

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MN Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury, on May 31st, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Wikimedia Commons/John Mac)
Sameer Kumar @S_Kumar2 Sep 27, 2024, 7:05 AM
  • Diana Taurasi has the most points in WNBA history.
  • Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Lauren Jackson each have three MVPs.
  • Candace Parker won MVP during her rookie season in 2008.

The WNBA has existed for nearly 30 years, and numerous women have pushed the game of basketball over those years.

These players, in particular, helped their teams consistently boast high WNBA odds to win championships at BetMGM’s online sportsbook yearly.

Let’s dive into their accomplishments.

RankPlayerPositionTeam(s)
1Diana TaurasiGuardPhoenix Mercury (2004-Present)
2Tamika CatchingsForwardIndiana Fever (2002-2016)
3Maya MooreForwardMinnesota Lynx (2011-2018)
4Cynthia CooperGuardHouston Comets (1997-2000; 2003)
5Sheryl SwoopesForward/GuardHouston Comets (1997-2007); Seattle Storm (2008); Tulsa Shock (2011)
6Lisa LeslieCenterLos Angeles Sparks (1997-2009)
7Lauren JacksonForward/CenterSeattle Storm (2001-2012)
8Candace ParkerForward/CenterLos Angeles Sparks (2008-2010); Chicago Sky (2021-2022); Las Vegas Aces (2023)
9Sue BirdGuardSeattle Storm (2002-2022)
10Sylvia FowlesCenterChicago Sky (2008-2014); Minnesota Lynx (2015-2022)
11Breanna StewartForwardSeattle Storm (2016-2022); New York Liberty (2023-Present)

1. Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi, a fearless competitor and clutch performer, won three championships (2007, 2009, 2014) with the Phoenix Mercury, winning two Finals MVPs in the latter two years.

The 2009 MVP is also the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, five-time scoring champ, and 14-time All-WNBA Team member.

2. Tamika Catchings

Tamika Catchings is the only player to rank top 10 in steals, points, rebounds, and assists in WNBA history.

The 2011 MVP led the Indiana Fever to a championship in 2012, winning Finals MVP honours.

The 12-time All-WNBA forward is also a five-time Defensive Player of the Year (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012).

3. Maya Moore

Maya Moore left the WNBA in 2019 to focus on criminal justice reform, but the 2011 first overall pick led the Minnesota Lynx to four championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), earning Finals MVP in 2013.

The 2014 MVP is also a seven-time All-WNBA and two-time All-Defensive Team member.

4. Cynthia Cooper

Cynthia Cooper led the Houston Comets to four straight championships (1997-2000), winning Finals MVP in all of those years.

The two-time MVP (1997, 1998) was also a three-time scoring champion and four-time All-WNBA First Team selection.

5. Sheryl Swoopes

Sheryl Swoopes won four rings with Houston and is the first player in WNBA and NBA history to win three MVP (2000, 2002, 2005) and Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2002, 2003) awards.

The seven-time All-WNBA forward/guard is also a two-time scoring and steals champion.

6. Lisa Leslie

Lisa Leslie won two championships (2001, 2002) with the Los Angeles Sparks, winning Finals MVP both times.

The three-time MVP (2001, 2004, 2006) is also a two-time Defensive Player of the Year (2004, 2008), a 12-time All-WNBA Team member, and the first player to dunk in a WNBA game.

7. Lauren Jackson

Lauren Jackson won two championships with the Seattle Storm (2004, 2010) earning Finals MVP in 2010.

The three-time MVP (2003, 2007, 2010) is also the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-WNBA Team member, and three-time scoring champion.

8. Candace Parker

Candace Parker is a two-time MVP (2008, 2013), the first coming during her rookie season.

The 10-time All-WNBA forward won three championships (2016, 2021, 2023). Parker won Finals MVP in 2016 and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020 with the Sparks.

She’s also the second player to dunk in a WNBA game.

9. Sue Bird

Sue Bird won four championships with the Storm (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020), as she’s the first player in WNBA history to win a title in three different decades.

The eight-time All-WNBA guard has the most assists, second-most 3-pointers, third-most steals, and eighth-most points in league history.

10. Sylvia Fowles

Sylvia Fowles won two championships (2015, 2017) with the Lynx, winning Finals MVP both times.

The 2017 MVP is also an eight-time All-WNBA Team member, four-time Defensive Player of the Year (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021), and has the most rebounds and fourth-most blocks in league history.

11. Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart won two championships (2018, 2020) with the Storm, winning Finals MVP both times and the MVP in 2018.

Stewart also won an MVP in 2023, her first season with the New York Liberty. With Stewart leading the way, New York’s championship basketball odds will be high for the foreseeable future.

About the Author

Sameer Kumar

Read More @S_Kumar2

Sameer Kumar is an NBA writer for BetMGM who specializes in providing analysis on player performance and telling stories beyond the numbers. He graduated from SUNY Oswego with a B.A. in Broadcasting & Mass Communication.

Sameer Kumar is an NBA writer for BetMGM who specializes in providing analysis on player performance and telling stories beyond the numbers. He graduated from SUNY Oswego with a B.A. in Broadcasting & Mass Communication.