WNBA Top 20@20

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WNBA Top 20@20 are the Women's National Basketball Association's Top 20 Players of All Time, chosen in 2016 on the occasion of the twentieth season of the WNBA from amongst 60 nominees compiled by the league. The group was to comprise the 20 best and most influential players of the first twenty 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 for at least two seasons, and fit at least three of seven criteria (WNBA championship, major individual award, a selection to either the All-WNBA Team, WNBA All-Defensive Team, or WNBA All-Star Game; a current ranking among the top 30 statistical career leaders; and a selection to either the WNBA's All-Decade Team or the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time) were considered.

Contents

The Top 20 players were announced on June 21, 2016 at ESPN's SportsCenter . [1] Dawn Staley was the only member of both the WNBA's All-Decade Team (2006) and the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time (2011) absent from the Top 20 list. [2]

Players selected

^Denotes player who was still active in the WNBA at time of award
~Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
PlayerNationalityPositionTeam(s) League titles League awards All-Star Games All-Decade Team 15 Years Team
Seimone Augustus^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SF Minnesota Lynx (2006–2019)

Los Angeles Sparks (2020)

2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 Finals MVP (2011)
ROY (2006)
All-WNBA
2006–2007, 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018Nominated
Sue Bird^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States PG Seattle Storm (2002–2022) 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 KPSA (2011)
All-WNBA
2002–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2014–2015, 2017, 2018YesYes
Swin Cash^Flag of the United States (23px).png  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)
All-WNBA
2003, 2005, 2007, 2011NominatedNominated
Tamika Catchings^Flag of the United States (23px).png  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
2002–2007, 2009–2011YesYes
Cynthia Cooper Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SG Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2003) (entire career) 19972000 MVP (1997, 1998)
Finals MVP (1997–2000)
All-WNBA
1999, 2000, 2003YesYes
Yolanda Griffith Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States C Sacramento Monarchs (1999–2007)
Seattle Storm (2008)
Indiana Fever (2009)
2005 MVP (1999)
Finals MVP (2005)
DPOY (1999)
ASG MVP (2004)
All-WNBA
1999–2001, 2003–2007YesYes
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)
None KPSA (2014)
All-WNBA
2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011NominatedYes
Lauren Jackson Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia C Seattle Storm (2001–2012) (entire career) 2004, 2010 MVP (2003, 2007, 2010)
Finals MVP (2010)
DPOY (2007)
All-WNBA
2001–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2010YesYes
Lisa Leslie Flag of the United States (23px).png  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
1999–2006, 2009YesYes
Maya Moore^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SF Minnesota Lynx (2011–) 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 MVP (2014)
Finals MVP (2013)
ASG MVP (2015)
ROY (2011)
All-WNBA
2011, 2013-2015
Deanna Nolan Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
SG Detroit Shock (2001–2009) (entire career) 2003, 2006, 2008 Finals MVP (2006)
All-WNBA
2003-2007NominatedNominated
Candace Parker^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States PF Los Angeles Sparks (2008–2020)
Chicago Sky (2021-)
2016, 2021 MVP (2008, 2013)
ASG MVP (2013)
Finals MVP (2016)
ROY (2008)
All-WNBA
2011, 2013, 2014Nominated
Ticha Penicheiro Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal PG Sacramento Monarchs (1998–2009)
Los Angeles Sparks (2010–2011)
Chicago Sky (2012)
2005 All-WNBA 1999–2002Honorable mentionYes
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)
2007, 2009 Finals MVP (2007)
All-WNBA
2006, 2007, 2009–2011Yes
Katie Smith Flag of the United States (23px).png  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)
All-WNBA
2000–2006, 2009YesYes
Sheryl Swoopes Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SF Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2002–2007)
Seattle Storm (2008)
Tulsa Shock (2011)
19972000 MVP (2000, 2002, 2005)
DPOY (2000, 2002, 2003)
ASG MVP (2005)
All-WNBA
1999, 2000, 2002–2006YesYes
Diana Taurasi^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States SG Phoenix Mercury (2004–) 2007, 2009 MVP (2009)
Finals MVP (2009)
ROY (2004)
10×All-WNBA
2004–2007, 2009–2011, 2013-2014Honorable mentionYes
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)
19972000 ASG MVP (2000)
All-WNBA
1999–2004, 2006, 2007, 2009YesYes
Teresa Weatherspoon Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States PG New York Liberty (1997–2003)
Los Angeles Sparks (2004)
None DPOY (1997, 1998)
All-WNBA
1999–2003Honorable mentionYes
Lindsay Whalen^Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States PG Connecticut Sun (2004-2009)
Minnesota Lynx (2010–2018)
2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 All-WNBA 2006, 2011, 2013-2015NoNo
Part of the 20@20 ring ceremony, (left to right) Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, WNBA president Lisa Borders, Lindsay Whalen WNBA 20@20 20161009.jpg
Part of the 20@20 ring ceremony, (left to right) Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, WNBA president Lisa Borders, Lindsay Whalen

Other finalists

1 Still active at time of Top 20 Team announcement.
2 Was in both the All-Decade and Top 15 teams.
3All-Decade honorable mention, Top 15 nominee.
4Nominated for both All-Decade and Top 15 teams.
5All-Decade nominee.
6Top 15 nominee.
7Deceased.

References

  1. "Best of the Best: WNBA to Honor 20 Greatest Players of All-Time". WNBA. June 16, 2016.
  2. Brian Martin (June 21, 2016). "Left Off The List: A Look At Those Who Could Have Made WNBA Top 20@20". WNBA.