The W25
| Women's National Basketball Association awards and honors |
|---|
| Championship |
| Commissioner's Cup Champions |
| Individual awards |
| Honors |
The W25 are the Women's National Basketball Association's Top 25 Players of All Time, chosen in 2021 on the occasion of the 25th season of the WNBA from amongst 72 nominees compiled by the league. The group, selected by a panel consisting of media members and pioneering women's basketball figures, was to comprise the 25 best and most influential players of the first 25 years of the WNBA, with consideration also accorded to sportsmanship, community service, leadership, and contribution to the growth of women's basketball. To be considered, players had to have competed in the WNBA for at least two seasons, and fit at least four of seven criteria:
- Winning a major individual playing award.
- Selection to at least one All-WNBA Team at any level.
- Selection to at least one WNBA All-Defensive Team at any level.
- Selection for at least one WNBA All-Star Game.
- Member of at least one WNBA championship team.
- A ranking among the top 40 career leaders in any major statistical category, as of the start of the 2021 season.
- Winner of the WNBA's season-long Community Assist Award.
The W25 were announced on September 5, 2021 at halftime of the Las Vegas Aces–Chicago Sky game, televised in the U.S. by ABC.[1]
The announcement of The W25 was immediately followed by "Vote for the GOAT". From September 5–19, fans voted on the WNBA's official website, the WNBA's mobile app, and Twitter to determine which member of The W25 they considered to be the league's greatest of all time. Before Game 1 of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Diana Taurasi was announced as the fans' "GOAT".[2]
Players selected
- Notes
- All information only pertains to the first 25 years of the league's existence.
- No awards or honors that were presented after the 2021 regular season are included. The 2021 All-Star Game is included because it took place before the final announcement of The W25.
| ^ | Denotes player who was still active in the WNBA at this time |
| ~ | Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Player | Nationality | Position | Team(s) | League titles | League awards | All-Star Games | All-Decade Team | Top 15 Team | Top 20 Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seimone Augustus |  United States |
SF | Minnesota Lynx (2006–2019) Los Angeles Sparks (2020) |
2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 | Finals MVP (2011) ROY (2006) 6× All-WNBA |
2006–2007, 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018 | — | Nominated | Yes |
| Sue Bird | United States |
PG | Seattle Storm (2002–2012, 2014–2018, 2020–2022; entire career) | 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 | KPSA (2011, 2017, 2018) 8× All-WNBA |
2002, 2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swin Cash | United States |
PF | Detroit Shock (2002–2007) Seattle Storm (2008–2011) Chicago Sky (2012–2013) Atlanta Dream (2014) New York Liberty (2014–2016) |
2003, 2006, 2010 | ASG MVP (2009, 2011) KPSA (2013) 2× All-WNBA |
2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 | Nominated | Nominated | Yes |
| Tamika Catchings | United States |
SF | Indiana Fever (2002–2016; entire career) | 2012 | MVP (2011) Finals MVP (2012) ROY (2002) DPOY (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012) KPSA (2010, 2013) 12× All-WNBA 12× All-Defensive |
2002–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tina Charles^ | United States |
C | Connecticut Sun (2010–2013) New York Liberty (2014–2019) Washington Mystics (2021–) Phoenix Mercury (2022) Seattle Storm (2022) Atlanta Dream (2024–) |
None | MVP (2012) ROY (2010) 9× All-WNBA 4× All-Defensive |
2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021 | — | — | Nominated |
| Cynthia Cooper | United States |
SG | Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2003; entire career) | 1997–2000 | MVP (1997, 1998) Finals MVP (1997–2000) 4× All-WNBA |
1999, 2000, 2003 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Elena Delle Donne | United States |
F/G | Chicago Sky (2013–2016) Washington Mystics (2017–2023) |
2019 | 2x MVP (2015, 2019) ROY (2013) 5× All-WNBA |
2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2023 | — | — | Nominated |
| Sylvia Fowles | United States |
C | Chicago Sky (2008–2014) Minnesota Lynx (2015–2022) |
2015, 2017 | MVP (2017) Finals MVP (2015, 2017) 4x DPOY (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021) 8× All-WNBA 11× All-Defensive |
2009, 2011, 2013, 2017–2019, 2021, 2022 | — | — | Nominated |
| Yolanda Griffith | United States |
C | Sacramento Monarchs (1999–2007) Seattle Storm (2008) Indiana Fever (2009) |
2005 | MVP (1999) Finals MVP (2005) DPOY (1999) ASG MVP (2004) 5×All-WNBA |
1999–2001, 2003, 2005–2007 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brittney Griner^ | United States |
C | Phoenix Mercury (2013–; entire career to date) | 2014 | DPOY (2014, 2015) 5× All-WNBA 6× All-Defensive |
2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021 | — | — | Nominated |
| Becky Hammon | United States Russia |
PG | New York Liberty (1999–2006) San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars (2007–2014) |
None | KPSA (2014) 4×All-WNBA |
2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011 | Nominated | Yes | Yes |
| Lauren Jackson |  Australia |
C | Seattle Storm (2001–2012; entire career) | 2004, 2010 | MVP (2003, 2007, 2010) Finals MVP (2010) DPOY (2007) 8×All-WNBA |
2001–2003, 2005–2007, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lisa Leslie | United States |
C | Los Angeles Sparks (1997–2009) (entire career) | 2001, 2002 | MVP (2001, 2004, 2006) Finals MVP (2001, 2002) ASG MVP (1999, 2001, 2002) DPOY (2004, 2008) 12×All-WNBA |
1999–2003, 2005–2006, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Angel McCoughtry | United States |
F/G | Atlanta Dream (2009–2018) Las Vegas Aces (2020–2021) Minnesota Lynx (2022) |
None | ROY (2009) 6× All-WNBA 8× All-Defensive |
2011, 2013–2015, 2018 | — | — | Nominated |
| Maya Moore~ | United States |
SF | Minnesota Lynx (2011–2018; entire career)[a] | 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 | MVP (2014) Finals MVP (2013) ASG MVP (2015, 2017, 2018) ROY (2011) 7× All-WNBA 2× All-Defensive |
2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018 | — | — | Yes |
| Nneka Ogwumike^ | United States |
PF | Los Angeles Sparks (2012–2023) Seattle Storm (2024-) |
2016 | MVP (2016) ROY (2012) KPSA (2019, 2020) 6× All-WNBA 6× All-Defensive |
2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2022, 2023 | — | — | Nominated |
| Candace Parker | United States |
PF | Los Angeles Sparks (2008–2020) Chicago Sky (2021–2022) Las Vegas Aces (2023–) |
2016, 2021, 2023 | MVP (2008, 2013) DPOY (2020) ASG MVP (2013) Finals MVP (2016) ROY (2008) 10× All-WNBA 2× All-Defensive |
2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 | — | Nominated | Yes |
| Ticha Penicheiro~ |  Portugal |
PG | Sacramento Monarchs (1998–2009) Los Angeles Sparks (2010–2011) Chicago Sky (2012) |
2005 | 3× All-WNBA 1× All-Defensive |
1999–2002 | Honorable mention | Yes | Yes |
| Cappie Pondexter | United States |
SG | Phoenix Mercury (2006–2009) New York Liberty (2010–2014) Chicago Sky (2015–2017) Los Angeles Sparks (2018) Indiana Fever (2018) |
2007, 2009 | Finals MVP (2007) 4× All-WNBA 1× All-Defensive |
2006–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2015 | — | Yes | Yes |
| Katie Smith | United States |
SG | Minnesota Lynx (1999–2005) Detroit Shock (2005–2009) Washington Mystics (2010) Seattle Storm (2011–2012) New York Liberty (2013) |
2006, 2008 | Finals MVP (2008) 4×All-WNBA |
2000–2003, 2005–2006, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Breanna Stewart^ | United States |
PF | Seattle Storm (2016–2022) New York Liberty (2023-) |
2018, 2020, 2024 | MVP (2018, 2023) Finals MVP (2018, 2020) ROY (2016) 6× All-WNBA 6× All-Defensive |
2017, 2018, 2021-2024 | — | — | — |
| Sheryl Swoopes | United States |
SF | Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2002–2007) Seattle Storm (2008) Tulsa Shock (2011) |
1997–2000 | MVP (2000, 2002, 2005) DPOY (2000, 2002, 2003) ASG MVP (2005) 7× All-WNBA 2× All-Defensive |
1999, 2000, 2002–2003, 2005–2006 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Diana Taurasi^ | United States |
SG | Phoenix Mercury (2004–2014, 2016–; entire career to date) | 2007, 2009, 2014 | MVP (2009) Finals MVP (2009, 2014) ROY (2004) 14× All-WNBA |
2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2014, 2017–2018, 2021 | Honorable mention | Yes | Yes |
| Tina Thompson | United States |
SF | Houston Comets (1997–2008) Los Angeles Sparks (2009–2011) Seattle Storm (2012–2013) |
1997–2000 | ASG MVP (2000) 8× All-WNBA |
1999–2003, 2006, 2007, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lindsay Whalen | United States |
PG | Connecticut Sun (2004-2009) Minnesota Lynx (2010–2018) |
2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 | 5× All-WNBA | 2006, 2011, 2013–2015 | No | No | Yes |
- The inaugural WNBA All-Star Game took place during the 1999 season, and the game has been contested yearly since, with the following exceptions:
- From 2004 through 2016, no All-Star Game was held in any Olympic year. The 2004 edition was supplanted by a game between WNBA players from both conferences and the 2004 United States Olympic team, and the 2010 edition was replaced by a game between WNBA players from both conferences and Team USA, but the WNBA does not consider either to have been an All-Star Game.
- No All-Star Game was scheduled in 2020, accommodating the original scheduling of that year's Summer Olympics. The Olympics were delayed to 2021 due to COVID-19 issues.
- With the Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for 2021, the WNBA held a pre-Olympic game between WNBA players from both conferences and the 2021 US Olympic team. Unlike the 2004 and 2010 editions, the 2021 edition was officially classified as an All-Star Game.
- Players who were voted to start in All-Star Games but were unable to play due to injury are nevertheless considered to have been starters; players voted as reserves who started in place of other injured players are nevertheless considered to have been reserves.
- Three players included in previous lists, Dawn Staley (All-Decade and 15 Years Team), Teresa Weatherspoon (15 Years and 20@20) and Deanna Nolan (20@20) missed the W25.
Footnotes
- ^ Moore last played in the WNBA in 2018, but did not officially announce her retirement until January 2023.
References
- ^ "WNBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History, "The W25"" (Press release). WNBA. September 5, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Diana Taurasi Voted By Fans As WNBA's Greatest Player of All Time" (Press release). WNBA. October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.