WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time

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The Women's National Basketball Association's Top 15 Players of All Time were chosen in 2011 on the occasion of the fifteenth season of the WNBA from amongst 30 nominees compiled by the league by fan, media, coach, and player voting. The group was to comprise the 15 best and most influential players of the first fifteen years of the WNBA, with consideration also accorded to sportsmanship, community service, leadership, and contribution to the growth of women's basketball; only players to have competed in the WNBA were eligible, but extra-league achievements were considered.

Contents

The Top 15 players were announced at halftime of the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game. [1]

Players selected

^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
PlayerNationalityPositionTeam(s)College(s) attended Olympic
medals
League titles League awards All-Star Games
Sue Bird^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States PG Seattle Storm (2002–2022) Connecticut 2004 gold
2008 gold
2012 gold
2016 gold

2020 gold

2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 KPSA (2011, 2017, 2018)2002–2007, 2009–2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
Tamika Catchings^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SF Indiana Fever (2002–2016) Tennessee 2004 gold
2008 gold
2012 MVP (2011)
Finals MVP (2012)
ROY (2002)
DPOY (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010)
KPSA (2010)
2002–2007, 2009–2011
Cynthia Cooper Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SG Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2003) USC 1988 gold
1992 bronze
19972000 MVP (1997, 1998)
Finals MVP (1997–2000)
1999, 2000, 2003
Yolanda Griffith Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States C Sacramento Monarchs (1997–2007)
Seattle Storm (2008)
Indiana Fever (2009)
Florida Atlantic 2000 gold
2004 gold
2005 MVP (1999)
Finals MVP (2005)
DPOY (1999)
ASG MVP (2004)
1999–2001, 2003–2007
Becky Hammon^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
PG New York Liberty (1999–2006)
San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars (2007–2014)
Colorado State 2008 bronze (RUS)NoneNone2003–2007, 2009–2011
Lauren Jackson^Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia C Seattle Storm (2001–2012)N/A 2000 silver
2004 silver
2008 silver (AUS)
2004, 2010 MVP (2003, 2007, 2010)
Finals MVP (2010)
DPOY (2007)
2001–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2010
Lisa Leslie Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States C Los Angeles Sparks (1997–2009) USC 1996 gold
2000 gold
2004 gold
2008 gold
2001, 2002 MVP (2001, 2004, 2006)
Finals MVP (2001, 2002)
ASG MVP (1999, 2001, 2002)
DPOY (2004, 2008)
1999–2006, 2009
Ticha Penicheiro^Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal PG Sacramento Monarchs (1998–2009)
Los Angeles Sparks (2010–2011)
Chicago Sky (2012)
Old Dominion None 2005 None1999–2002
Cappie Pondexter^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SG Phoenix Mercury (2006–2009)
New York Liberty (2010–2014)
Chicago Sky (2015-2017)
Los Angeles Sparks (2018)
Indiana Fever (2018)
Rutgers 2008 gold 2007, 2009 Finals MVP (2007)2006, 2007, 2009–2011
Katie Smith^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SF Minnesota Lynx (1999–2005)
Detroit Shock (2006–2009)
Washington Mystics (2010)
Seattle Storm (2011–2012)
New York Liberty (2013)
Ohio State 2000 gold
2004 gold
2008 gold
2006, 2008 Finals MVP (2008)2000–2006, 2009
Dawn Staley Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States PG Charlotte Sting (1999–2005)
Houston Comets (2005–2006)
Virginia 1996 gold
2000 gold
2004 gold
None KPSA (1999, 2006)2002–2006
Sheryl Swoopes^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SF Houston Comets (1997–2007)
Seattle Storm (2008)
Tulsa Shock (2011)
Texas Tech 1996 gold
2000 gold
2004 gold
19972000 MVP (2000, 2002, 2005)
DPOY (2000, 2002, 2003)
ASG MVP (2005)
1999, 2000, 2002–2006
Diana Taurasi^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SG Phoenix Mercury (2004– ) Connecticut 2004 gold
2008 gold
2012 gold
2016 gold

2020 gold 2024 gold

2007, 2009, 2014 MVP (2009)
Finals MVP (2009, 2014)
ROY (2004)
2004–2007, 2009–2011
Tina Thompson^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SF Houston Comets (1997–2008)
Los Angeles Sparks (2009–2011)
Seattle Storm (2012-2013)
USC 2004 gold
2008 gold
19972000 ASG MVP (2000)1999–2004, 2006, 2007, 2009
Teresa Weatherspoon Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States PG New York Liberty (1997–2003)
Los Angeles Sparks (2004)
Louisiana Tech 1988 gold
1992 bronze
None DPOY (1997, 1998)1999–2003

Other finalists

1 Retired at time of Top 15 Team announcement.
2 Not playing in the league at time of Top 15 Team announcement.

Top 15 Players vs. All-Decade Team

All ten members of the WNBA's All-Decade Team were included in the Top 15 Team. There were some players that were nominated for the Top 15 Team that were not nominated for the All-Decade Team and vice versa. Below are lists of players that were either added to or omitted from the Top 15 Team nominations, in respect to the All-Decade Team nominations.

Added

Omitted

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References

  1. Voepel, Mechelle (July 22, 2011). "Dreams realized in 'Top 15' celebration". ESPN.