Who are the ten best female basketball players in the WNBA right now? Here in the below article, we have ten of the most popular and best female WNBA players.
Basketball is one of the most popular and most watched sports in the USA. As of 2023, it is also one of the highest paying sports making it more attractive for male and female players all around the world. WNBA is the most reputed and most-watched female basketball league.
Let’s explore who these famous female basketball players and are the differences that made them the best in the world.
Top 10 Best Female Basketball Players in the WNBA 2023
10. Elena Delle Donne
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 33 |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| WNBA Draft | 2013 |
| Nationality | American |
Elena Delle Donne is an American professional basketball player. She plays for the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Donne was drafted into the WNBA by the Chicago Sky in 2013. She played college basketball for Delaware from 2009 to 2013.
Elena Delle Donne is widely regarded as one of the best female basketball players in the WNBA. Here are some of the career highlights of the popular female American basketball player.
- WNBA champion – 2019
- 2× WNBA MVP – 2015, 2019
- 6× WNBA All-Star – 2013-2015, 2017-2019
- 4× All-WNBA First Team – 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
- All-WNBA Second Team – 2013
- WNBA Rookie of the Year – 2013
- WNBA All-Rookie Team – 2013
- Honda Sports Award – 2013
- WNBA scoring champion – 2015
- WNBA Peak Performer – 2015
- WNBA 25th Anniversary Team – 2021
9. Cynthia Cooper
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 60 |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Status | Retired (Coach) |
| Nationality | American |
Cynthia Cooper is an American professional basketball coach and former basketball player. She is also considered one of the best female basketball players in WNBA history. Both her coaching and playing careers are full of iconic achievements and records.
Some of the remarkable career highlights of the great female basketball player are:
- 4× WNBA champion – 1997 – 2000
- 4× WNBA Finals MVP – 1997 – 2000
- 2× WNBA MVP – 1997, 1998
- 3× WNBA All-Star – 1999, 2000, 2003
- 4× All-WNBA First Team – 1997 – 2000
- 3× WNBA scoring champion – 1997 – 1999
- WNBA 10th Anniversary Team – 2006
- WNBA 15th Anniversary Team – 2011
- WNBA 20th Anniversary Team – 2016
- WNBA 25th Anniversary Team – 2021
- 2× NCAA champion – 1983, 1984
- No. 44 retired by USC Trojans
8. Lindsay Whalen
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 41 |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| WNBA Draft | 2004 |
| Nationality | American |
Lindsay Whalen is also an American professional female basketball player. She is now serving as the head coach of the University of Minnesota’s women’s basketball team. Whalen was drafted into the WNBA in 2004 by the Connecticut Sun.
As a professional basketball player, Lindsay Whalen’s career is full of a number of successes and achievements. some of the most iconic highlights of her career are:
- 4× WNBA champion – 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
- 5× WNBA All-Star – 2006, 2011, 2013-2015
- 3× All-WNBA First Team – 2008, 2011, 2013
- 2× All-WNBA Second Team – 2012, 2014
- 3× WNBA Peak Performer – 2008, 2011, 2012
- 3× WNBA assists leader – 2008, 2011–2012
- WNBA 20th Anniversary Team – 2016
- WNBA 25th Anniversary Team – 2021
- WNBA playoffs all-time assists leader
- No. 13 Retired by Minnesota Lynx
- Turkish Cup winner – 2013
- EuroCup winner – 2014
7. Candace Parker
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 37 |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| WNBA Draft | 2008 |
| Nationality | American |
Candace Parker is one of the most popular and best female basketball players in the WNBA. She is an American national who was drafted into the WNBA in 2008 by the Los Angeles Sparks. She is a wonderful player who plays at forward and center positions. Parker is 6’4” tall, making her one of the tallest female basketball players in the WNBA.
Candace Parker’s career is decorated with a number of well-reputed basketball titles and awards. She has a rich timeline that proves her one of the best female basketball players in the world. Some of her great achievements are:
- 2× WNBA champion – 2016, 2021
- WNBA Finals MVP – 2016
- 2× WNBA MVP – 2008, 2013
- 6× WNBA All-Star – 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017-2018, 2021
- WNBA Defensive Player of the Year – 2020
- WNBA All-Star Game MVP – 2013
- WNBA Rookie of the Year – 2008
- WNBA All-Rookie Team – 2008
- 6× All-WNBA First Team – 2008, 2012-2014, 2017, 2020
- 3× WNBA rebounding leader – 2008, 2009, 2020
- 3× WNBA peak performer – 2008, 2009, 2020
- 5× Russian National League champion – 2011–2015
- 4× Russian Cup winner – 2011–2014
- EuroLeague champion – 2013
- 2× NCAA champion – 2007, 2008
- 2x Gatorade National Player of the Year – 2003, 2004
- 2× AP Female Athlete of the Year – 2008, 2021
- 2× USBWA College Player of the Year – 2007, 2008
- Naismith College Player of the Year – 2008
- 2× John R. Wooden Award – 2007, 2008
- Wade Trophy – 2007
- 2× Honda Sports Award for basketball – 2007, 2008
- Honda-Broderick Cup – 2008
6. Tamika Catchings
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 44 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| WNBA Draft | 2001 |
| Nationality | American |
Tamika Catchings is another popular name in the women’s basketball world. She is also an American former professional basketball player who played for the WNBA for 15 seasons. Catchings was drafted into the WNBA in 2001 by the Indiana Fever. She also served in the WNBA Players Association from 2012 to 2016.
As a professional basketball player, she has a rich profile that includes a number of iconic records and titles. Some of her great achievements are:
- WNBA champion (2012)
- WNBA Finals MVP (2012)
- WNBA MVP (2011)
- 10× WNBA All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2015)
- 7× All-WNBA First Team (2002, 2003, 2006, 2009–2012)
- 5× WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012)
- 10× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2005–2013, 2015)
- 8× WNBA steals leader (2002, 2005–2007, 2009–2010, 2013)
- WNBA all-time steals leader
- WNBA playoffs all-time leading scorer
- WNBA playoffs all-time rebounding leader
- WNBA playoffs all-time steals leader
- NCAA champion (1998)
- 3× Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2010, 2013, 2016)
- Polish National League champion (2009)
- 2× Turkish Cup winner (2010, 2011)
5. Lauren Jackson
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 42 |
| Height | 1.96m (6 ft 5 in) |
| WNBA Draft | 2001 |
| Nationality | American |
Lauren Jackson is an Australian former basketball player who is considered one of the best female basketball players in Australia. She is from a basketball family, both her father and mother were professional basketball players. Lauren Jackson was drafted into the WNBA in 2001 by the Seattle Storm.
After playing in the WNBA for fifteen years, Lauren Jackson ended up her professional career in 2016. Her professional career is full of many remarkable successes and achievements. Some of the highlights of her career are:
- 4× WNBL MVP (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004)
- 4× WNBL Grand Final MVP (2002, 2003, 2006, 2010)
- 5x WNBL champion (1999, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2010)
- 6× WNBL All-Star Five (1999–2004)
- 7× WNBA All-Star (2001–2003, 2005–2007, 2009)
- 3× WNBA MVP (2003, 2007, 2010)
- 2× WNBA champion (2004, 2010)
- 3× WNBA scoring champion (2003, 2004, 2007)
- WNBA Finals MVP (2010)
- WNBA rebounding champion (2007)
- WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (2007)
- 3× WNBA Peak Performer (2003, 2004, 2007)
- Women’s Korea Basketball League MVP (2007)
- Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (2019)
4. Lisa Leslie
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 51 |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.96 m) |
| WNBA Draft | 1997 |
| Nationality | American |
Lisa Leslie is an American former professional basketball player who is now serving as a head coach. She is also considered one of the best female basketball players in the world. Lisa Leslie is 6 feet and 6 inches tall making her one of the tallest female basketball players in the world.
Lisa Leslie was drafted into the WNBA by the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997. She ended up her professional career in 2009. As a professional basketball player, some of her career highlights are:
- Honda Sports Award (1994)
- 2× WNBA champion (2001, 2002)
- 2× WNBA Finals MVP (2001, 2002)
- 3× WNBA MVP (2001, 2004, 2006)
- 8× WNBA All-Star (1999–2003, 2005, 2006, 2009)
- 3× WNBA All-Star Game MVP (1999, 2001, 2002)
- 8× All-WNBA First Team (1997, 2000–2004, 2006, 2008)
- 2× WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2004, 2008)
- 2× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2006, 2008)
- WNBA Peak Performer (2004)
- FIBA World Championship MVP (2002)
3. Maya Moore
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 34 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| WNBA Draft | 2011 |
| Nationality | American |
Maya Moore is an American professional basketball player. According to Sports Illustrated, she is the greatest winner in the history of women’s basketball. The six feet tall, Maya Moore played college basketball for UConn and was drafted into the WNBA in 2011 by the Minnesota Lynx.
In her professional career until now, Maya Moore achieved a number of remarkable successes and achievements. Some of her iconic achievements are:
- 4× WNBA champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
- WNBA Finals MVP (2013)
- WNBA MVP (2014)
- 5× All-WNBA First Team (2013–2017)
- WNBA steals leader (2018)
- WNBA scoring leader (2014)
- 2× EuroLeague Women champion (2012, 2018)
- Liga Femenina champion (2012)
- 3× WCBA champion (2013–2015)
- 2× NCAA champion (2009–2010)
- 4× USBWA All-America Team (2008–2011)
- Gatorade National Player of the Year (2007)
- 2× Naismith College Player of the Year (2009, 2011)
- 2× John R. Wooden Award (2009, 2011)
- 2× USBWA Women’s National Player of the Year (2009, 2011)
- 2x Honda Sports Award for basketball (2010, 2011)
- 3× Big East Player of the Year (2008, 2009, 2011)
- NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2010)
- USBWA National Freshman of the Year (2008)
2. Diana Taurasi
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 41 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| WNBA Draft | 2004 |
| Nationality | American |
Diana Taurasi is an American professional basketball player who is widely considered one of the top basketball players in the world right now. She was drafted into the WNBA in 2004 by the Phoenix Mercury. She is a six feet tall basketball player who plays as a point guard.
After starting her professional career in 2004, Diana Taurasi has achieved a number of milestones that made her one of the greatest female basketball players of all time. Some of her best-known basketball achievements are:
- 3× WNBA champion (2007, 2009, 2014)
- 2× WNBA Finals MVP (2009, 2014)
- WNBA MVP (2009)
- 10× All-WNBA First Team (2004, 2006–2011, 2013, 2014, 2018)
- WNBA Rookie of the Year (2004)
- 5× WNBA scoring champion (2006, 2008–2011)
- 6× WNBA Peak Performer (2006, 2007, 2009–2011, 2014)
- WNBA’s Greatest of All Time (2021)
- WNBA all-time scoring leader
- 6× EuroLeague champion (2007–2010, 2013, 2016)
- 7× Russian National League champion (2007, 2008, 2013–2017)
- 3× Russian Cup winner (2013–2014, 2017)
- 3× Russian League Player of the Year (2007, 2008, 2009)
- Turkish National League champion (2011)
- Turkish Cup winner (2012)
- 3× NCAA champion (2002–2004)
- 2× NCAA Tournament MOP (2003, 2004)
- Wade Trophy (2003)
- 2× Honda Sports Award (2003, 2004)
- 2× Naismith Award (2003, 2004)
- USBWA Women’s National Player of the Year (2003)
- 2× Nancy Lieberman Award (2003, 2004)
- 2× Big East Player of the Year (2003, 2004)
- 4× USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (2006, 2010, 2012, 2016)
1. Sue Bird
| Facts | |
|---|---|
| Age in 2023 | 43 |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| WNBA Draft | 2002 |
| Nationality | American |
Sue Bird tops the list of the best basketball players in the world. She is an American-Israeli professional basketball player. She was drafted into the WNBA by the Seattle Storm in 2002. Sue Bird is widely considered one of the greatest female basketball players in the history of WNBA.
Sue Bird has a remarkable professional career full of iconic and most celebrated titles including 9 gold medals from different competitions. Some of her career highlights are:
- USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (2021)
- 4× WNBA champion (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020)
- 5× All-WNBA First Team (2002–2005, 2016)
- 3× WNBA assists leader (2005, 2009, 2016)
- WNBA all-time assists leader
- Commissioner’s Cup champion (2021)
- 5× Russian National League champion (2007, 2008, 2012–2014)
- 5× EuroLeague champion (2007–2010, 2013)
- 2× Europe SuperCup winner (2009, 2010)
- 2× NCAA champion (2000, 2002)
- 3× Nancy Lieberman Award (2000–2002)
- Wade Trophy (2002)
- Honda Sports Award (2002)
- Naismith Award (2002)
- USBWA Women’s National Player of the Year (2002)
- AP College Player of the Year (2002)
- Big East Player of the Year (2002)
Summary
The top ten best female basketball players in the WNBA are:
1. Carol Blazejowski
2. Maya Moore
3. Diana Taurasi
4. Lisa Leslie
5. Lauren Jackson
6. Tamika Catchings
7. Candace Parker
8. Lindsay Whalen
9. Cynthia Cooper
10. Elena Delle Donne
