20 Greatest Women Basketball Players of All Time

20 Greatest Women Basketball Players of All Time

Most often in basketball, the limelight has frequently been directed towards male players, often casting a shadow over the remarkable feats accomplished by female athletes. Remarkably, an intricate mosaic of extraordinary talent has been woven by exceptional women athletes who have risen above the limitations of the court.

These competitors have etched an enduring imprint, not solely through their exceptional abilities and achievements but also by charting a course for future generations.

From the sport’s earliest days to the contemporary age, these women have showcased unparalleled dedication, prowess, and resolve. Their conquests on the court have earned them global acclaim, fostering a legacy that transcends the confines of gender. 

Their influence extends beyond mere numerical records; they stand as symbols of resilience and motivation for emerging athletes across the globe. As we honour their unparalleled contributions to basketball’s history, let us find out what names feature when mentioning the greatest individuals in the pantheon of women’s basketball.

1. Diana Taurasi

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Diana Lorena Taurasi, an American professional basketball player, currently competes for the Phoenix Mercury in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and she is widely acknowledged as one of the most exceptional figures in WNBA history. She was the top pick in the 2004 WNBA draft, selected by the Phoenix team. 

Taurasi’s illustrious career includes numerous accolades: the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2004, three WNBA championship titles in 2007, 2009, and 2014, a remarkable collection of five Olympic gold medals in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, a WNBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2009, two WNBA Finals MVP Awards in 2009 and 2014, five scoring titles in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, as well as three FIBA World Cups in 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Taurasi’s accolades extend to her inclusion in ten WNBA All-Star teams and being selected for fourteen All-WNBA teams, with ten of those selections being on the first team.

Remarkably, she is among only eleven women who have triumphed in obtaining an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, a FIBA World Cup title, and a WNBA Championship.

2. Lisa Leslie

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Lisa Deshaun Leslie, a former American professional basketball athlete, competed in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She boasts a notable record as a three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and has earned the distinction of securing four Olympic gold medals.

Initially selected as the seventh overall pick in the inaugural 1997 WNBA draft, Leslie’s journey began after her collegiate years at the University of Southern California. During her commendable 11-season tenure with the Los Angeles Sparks, she notched eight WNBA All-Star nominations and clinched two WNBA championship titles. Her remarkable career concluded in 2009.

Distinguished for her groundbreaking feat, Leslie became the pioneer to dunk in a WNBA game. Her remarkable influence within the league led fans to elect her as one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history 2011.

Concurrent with her WNBA commitments, Leslie maintained an active role in international competitions by representing USA Basketball. Her contributions were pivotal in securing four Olympic gold medals in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008, as well as two FIBA World Championships in 1998 and 2002.

Leslie’s legacy was further solidified in 2015 when she received induction honours into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

3. Tamika Catchings

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Tamika Devonne Catchings, an American former professional basketball athlete, dedicated her entire 15-year career to the Indiana Fever within the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Her illustrious journey is marked by a plethora of accomplishments, including securing a WNBA championship in 2012, attaining the prestigious WNBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2011, earning the WNBA Finals MVP Award in 2012, and collecting five WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012.

Her accolades extend to securing four Olympic gold medals in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016, as well as the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2002.

Notably, Catchings is among an exclusive group of just eleven women to have achieved Olympic gold, an NCAA Championship, a FIBA World Cup gold, and a WNBA Championship.

Her exceptional performance led to her selection in ten WNBA All-Star teams, twelve All-WNBA teams, and twelve All-Defensive teams, while also leading the league in steals on eight occasions.

Beyond her prowess on the court, Catchings took on the role of President of the WNBA Players Association from 2012 to 2016, further contributing to the basketball community. Her remarkable contributions to the sport led to her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.

Tamika was born with hearing challenges but this did not stop her from going after her dreams. To find out which other famous athletes did not let hearing challengers hinder their dreams, click here.

4. Cynthia Cooper

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Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is a basketball legend who has won championships at the college, Olympic, and professional levels. She is considered by many to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Cooper-Dyke played college basketball at the University of Southern California, where she led the team to two national championships. She was also a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s basketball team in the 1990 Summer Olympics.

In 1997, Cooper-Dyke joined the Houston Comets of the WNBA. She quickly established herself as one of the league’s best players, winning four WNBA championships and four Finals MVP awards. She returned to play one more season in 2003 after retirement.

After her playing career, Cooper-Dyke became a head coach. She has led the Texas Southern University, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and the Prairie View A&M University women’s basketball teams. She also served as the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA for one season.

Cooper-Dyke is a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

5. Maya Moore

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Maya April Moore, an American professional basketball athlete, is an active member of the Minnesota Lynx team. Currently, she is taking a leave of absence to dedicate her efforts to advocating for change within the American justice system.

In 2017, Sports Illustrated bestowed upon her the honour of being their first-ever Performer of the Year, dubbing Moore as the most accomplished champion in the annals of women’s basketball.

Furthermore, she achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first female basketball player to enter into a partnership with Air Jordan.

6. Sheryl Swoopes

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Sheryl Denise Swoopes, a former American professional basketball athlete, holds a prominent place in the sport’s history. She was the inaugural player to sign with the WNBA and is a three-time recipient of the WNBA MVP title.

Recognizing her remarkable contributions, she was honoured as one of the Top 15 Players of All Time during the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game. Swoopes boasts an impressive array of achievements, encompassing three Olympic gold medals.

Her name is inscribed among the exclusive group of eleven women’s basketball players who have clinched Olympic gold, an NCAA Championship, a FIBA World Cup gold, and a WNBA championship.

Her influence and accomplishments led to her induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, solidifying her legacy. Furthermore, Swoopes received the esteemed honour of being inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

7. Sue Bird

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Sue Bird is attributed with capturing four championships (in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020), emerging as the victor of the Commissioner’s Cup in 2021. She holds the esteemed distinction of being the career assists leader and ranks seventh in all-time scoring, fourth in steals, seventh in field goals made, and second in 3-pointers made.

An outstanding milestone for her is being the first athlete in WNBA history to secure titles across three distinct decades. Her dominance is evident through her three-time reign as assists champion and her five-time inclusion in the All-WNBA First Team.

She has remarkably participated in and initiated more WNBA games than any other player in the league’s history, boasting a significant lead.

Throughout her enduring career spanning 18 seasons, Sue Bird has firmly established herself as one of the most exceptional point guards to ever engage with a basketball, a seasoned veteran who continues to persevere.

8. Lauren Jackson

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Lauren Jackson is an Australian professional basketball player who has won numerous championships in both the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

She led the AIS team to a WNBL championship in 1998 and then joined the Canberra Capitals, with whom she won four more WNBL championships.

Jackson also played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Lauren is just one of the talented players from Australia and there is a plethora of renowned basketball players from the nation. To find out who these hoopers are, check it here.

9. Candace Parker

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Candace Nicole Parker is an American professional basketball athlete who currently competes for the Las Vegas Aces within the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Widely acknowledged as one of the most exceptional WNBA players in history, she was designated as the top overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Her association encompassed 13 seasons with the Sparks and an additional two seasons with the Chicago Sky, a tenure during which she achieved championship victories with both squads.

Notably, Parker was instrumental in leading the Sparks to their first WNBA Finals triumph since 2002 in 2016, garnering the WNBA Finals MVP Award. Further reinforcing her legacy, she contributed to Sky’s inaugural title win in 2021.

Parker boasts an impressive collection of accolades, including two WNBA Most Valuable Player Awards (in 2008 and 2013), an MVP distinction from the WNBA All-Star Game (in 2013), the acquisition of two Olympic gold medals (in 2008 and 2012), and the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award (in 2008).

Her remarkable contributions have led to her selection in six All-WNBA teams and five All-Star teams. A noteworthy accomplishment in her early career was being the first player to secure both the Rookie of the Year and MVP honours in the same season. On June 22, 2008, Parker accomplished another historic feat by becoming the second player to dunk in a WNBA game.

10. Elena Delle Donne

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Elena Delle Donne is a professional basketball athlete from the United States, currently affiliated with the Washington Mystics in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

She honed her basketball skills during her college years at the University of Delaware, playing for the Delaware Blue Hens from 2009 to 2013. In 2013, she was selected as the second overall pick by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA draft.

Under her leadership, the Sky advanced to the 2014 WNBA Finals, but they were ultimately defeated by the Phoenix Mercury. Delle Donne’s career took another turn in 2017 when she was traded to the Washington Mystics, and she played an instrumental role in guiding them to their inaugural WNBA championship victory in 2019.

Delle Donne’s exceptional achievements include clinching two WNBA Most Valuable Player Awards in 2015 and 2019. Her remarkable abilities on the court have earned her a spot in seven All-Star teams.

Notably, she made history as the first WNBA player to attain membership in the exclusive 50–40–90 club, showcasing her outstanding performance in shooting accuracy.

11. Sylvia Fowles

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Sylvia Shaqueria Fowles, a retired basketball professional from the United States, showcased her talents in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a player for the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx.

Her career achievements are notable, including her receipt of the WNBA MVP Award in 2017, as well as securing the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year accolade on four occasions (in 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2021).

Fowles played a pivotal role in leading the Lynx to claim victory in the WNBA Championship in both 2015 and 2017, being recognized as the MVP of the WNBA Finals on both occasions. Her excellence continued as she surpassed Rebekkah Brunson in 2020, becoming the all-time career rebound leader in the WNBA.

12. Yolanda Griffith

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Yolanda Evette Griffith, a celebrated American basketball icon, holds a distinguished place in both the ABL and WNBA leagues. Her remarkable journey led her to be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

As a former recipient of the WNBA MVP title, she is renowned for her exceptional prowess as one of the most outstanding rebounders and defensive players in the history of Women’s Basketball. She concluded her WNBA career as a member of the Indiana Fever.

 In 2011, she received the distinction of being selected by fans as one of the top 15 players in the history of the WNBA. After she retired from professional play, Griffith took on a role as an assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is currently serving as an assistant coach with the Boston College Eagles.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Griffith achieved induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s class of 2014 in her very first year of eligibility.

13. Breanna Stewart

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She displays an undeniable offensive prowess, and her impact on the defensive end goes beyond what can be captured in a mere stat sheet. With her impressive 7-foot-1 wingspan and exceptional court coverage, she not only changes the trajectory of shots but also disrupts passing lanes.

On offense, she excels at outpacing opponents down the court, seamlessly receiving challenging passes and converting them into points, or sinking 3-pointers. What sets Stewie apart is her ability to seize control of the game whenever the situation demands.

Her accomplishments include securing two championships in 2018 and 2020, being crowned MVP in 2018, earning the title of Finals MVP twice in 2018 and 2020, achieving the Rookie of the Year honour in 2016, and celebrating a Commissioner’s Cup victory in 2021.

She was also recognized as the Commissioner’s Cup MVP that same year. Additionally, she has twice been named to the All-WNBA First Team and has earned placements on the all-defensive team on two occasions.

14. Seimone Augustus

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Seimone Delicia Augustus, an accomplished American basketball athlete, has transitioned into the role of an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), following her retirement as a player.

Notably, she was the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, selected by the Minnesota Lynx. Her entire playing career, apart from her final season in 2020 with the Sparks, was spent with the Minnesota Lynx. She garnered recognition as an eight-time All-Star and secured the title of 2011 finals MVP.

Her exceptional leadership played a pivotal role in steering the Lynx to four WNBA championship victories. Augustus stands as one of the most prominent and recognizable figures in the WNBA.

Beyond her WNBA engagement, she also represented the U.S. national team and gained international experience playing for Dynamo Kursk.

Her remarkable journey culminated in her retirement from playing in 2020, followed by her transition into a new role as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks, a position she assumed in the 2021 season.

15. Katie Smith

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Katie Smith currently holds the role of lead assistant coach for the Minnesota Lynx within the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She also previously served as the head coach of the New York Liberty.

A retired professional basketball player, Smith primarily excelled as a shooting guard, though she occasionally played small forward or point guard positions. Her extraordinary scoring abilities led her to become the all-time highest scorer in women’s professional basketball, amassing over 7,000 points throughout her career spanning both the ABL and WNBA leagues.

In 2016, she received recognition by being voted as one of the distinguished members of the WNBA Top 20@20.

On March 31, 2018, Smith’s remarkable contributions to the sport earned her a well-deserved place in the 2018 class of inductees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In the same year, her exceptional achievements were also honoured with her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

16. Tina Thompson

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Tina Marie Thompson, a retired American professional basketball athlete, and coach, made her mark in the WNBA.

As the inaugural college draft selection in WNBA history, Thompson was chosen as the top pick by the Houston Comets. Her significant contributions played a pivotal role in propelling the Comets to secure four consecutive WNBA Championships in the years 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Thompson’s exceptional prowess extended beyond the WNBA, as she clinched two Olympic gold medals and made an impressive nine appearances in the WNBA All-Star Game.

Remarkably, Thompson held the distinction of being the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer until 2017, and she maintains her notable status in the league’s history, currently ranking as the second-highest scorer as of 2023.

17. Brittney Griner

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Brittney Yevette Griner competes as a professional basketball athlete for the Phoenix Mercury within the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Griner boasts a remarkable achievement of securing two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s national basketball team and has earned recognition as a six-time WNBA All-Star.

Her influential impact extends beyond the basketball court, as she was distinguished by Time magazine in 2023 as one of the 100 most influential individuals in the world.

In her professional journey, Griner made history by being chosen as the top overall pick in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. Her contributions were pivotal in clinching the 2014 WNBA championship alongside her Mercury teammates.

18. Tina Charles

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Tina Alexandria Charles, a retired American basketball professional, participated in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Hailing from Jamaica, Queens, New York City, Charles secured the top pick in the 2010 WNBA draft, selected by the Connecticut Sun.

Her roots trace back to the Connecticut Huskies, where she and teammate Maya Moore played integral roles in steering the team to back-to-back undefeated national championships in 2009 and 2010.

Charles boasts a remarkable achievement of clinching three Olympic gold medals as part of Team USA.

19. Carol Blazejowski

Carol Ann Blazejowski, an American women’s basketball professional who has retired, held roles including being the former president and General Manager of the New York Liberty in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

In 1980, Blazejowski achieved the distinction of being the highest-paid player in the Women’s Pro Basketball League. She secured a significant three-year contract worth a reported $150,000 with the New Jersey Gems.

Unfortunately, the league encountered dissolution after her inaugural season, effectively concluding her playing career.

In recognition of her contributions, Blazejowski earned induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1994. Additionally, she was honoured with a place in the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame.

20. Lindsay Whalen

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Lindsay Marie Whalen currently holds the position of head coach for the women’s basketball team at the University of Minnesota. She embarked on her professional journey as a point guard with the Connecticut Sun in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Her achievements include securing World titles and two Olympic gold medals as a part of the United States women’s national basketball team and triumphing in four WNBA championships while playing for the Minnesota Lynx.

Renowned for her exceptional talents and accomplishments, Whalen has established herself as a prominent and accomplished female basketball player.

Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring young girls who aim to excel in the sport.

From Diana Taurasi to Lindsay Whalen, these are just but a few of the fiercest basketball players out there there’s a larger crop of talent still in development and with time the list will keep rising.

On the other side their male counterparts have also been good and as history has it the immense talent in male basketball is undeniable. Check out this list of top black basketball players of all time.