Without any doubt, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has become the driving force in the women’s sport, earning worldwide recognition as the pinnacle of the game. Consistently evolving and growing, the competition itself was founded in April 1996, becoming a counterpart for the men’s National Basketball Association (NBA), shortly prior to league play commencing in 1997.
From the very inception of this competition, throughout its history and right up to the present day, the WNBA has inspired countless female athletes to pursue careers in professional basketball. This has been led by many notable players over the years, beginning with the pioneers who were there from the start and icons that gained legendary status, paving the way for generations of ambitious rising stars.
Pioneers
The early years of the WNBA were marked by the perseverance and determination of its pioneering players. These individuals played a crucial role in establishing the league’s foundation, laying down the pathway for growth via their tireless efforts and impressive levels of performance.
One such pioneer is US basketball icon Sheryl Swoopes, who was actually the first WNBA signing, once the competition was officially announced on October 23, 1996. Swoopes went on to win three MVP awards during her illustrious career, fondly remembered for her exceptional range of skills and athleticism, plus an impressive level of dominance at both ends of the court.
The second signing of the WNBA was Rebecca Lobo, announced on the same day as Swoops, joining the league after being named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for 1995. Lobo enjoyed an impressive career in the competition, which included featuring in the 1999 WNBA All-Star team, prior to retiring as a player in 2003 and her addition to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Forming part of an unforgettable trio, the third player to join the WNBA was Lisa Leslie, announced alongside Swoops and Lobo when the competition launched. Leslie will always be remembered for scoring the first dunk in WNBA history, alongside her many collective and individual achievements. These included three MVP awards and eight WNBA All-Star team selections.
Legends
Truth be told, any of the aforementioned WNBA pioneers can also be referred to as legends, given their contributions to the sport of basketball. However, the term legend itself is typically reserved for those who register the greatest achievements, whether individually or collectively. These are players who set new benchmarks for success, establish personal records that often stand the test of time, and gain recognition for their greatness on the court.
One who certainly classifies as a legend of the WNBA is Diana Taurasi, fondly known as the “White Mamba” for her outstanding basketball abilities. Taurasi boasts numerous scoring records, including benchmarks for most career points, most points in a season, highest points per game average, and many more. Based on her personal achievements, ESPN journalists regard Taurasi as the greatest WNBA player of all time.
While the greatest offensive player is clearly Taurasi, arguably the most complete WNBA player of all time is Tamika Catchings, making her more than worthy of legendary status. Most notably, Catchings is the only WNBA player who ranks in the career top 10 for steals, points, rebounds, and assists. Just as impressive, she is the only player to finish any season in the top 10 for points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Catchings did that twice.
Following a remarkable career spanning 19 years and representing just one team, fans of the Seattle Storm will have absolutely no doubts whatsoever. Sue Bird will always be considered an absolute legend, especially having contributed to four championships during that time. One of the greatest point guards to grace the WNBA, and catching her all-time WNBA record of 580 game appearances will take some doing.
Rising Stars
Although the WNBA boasts a rich history, the depth of quality and talent joining the competition is exceptional, which certainly bodes well for the future. Likewise, this also makes wagering on the competition all the more intriguing, particularly when checking the latest Betway review covering the American sporting scene. As for the players, opinions about rising stars can vary from one media outlet to the next.
Nevertheless, there is a general consensus of opinions regarding several top women’s basketball talents, all of whom are already demonstrating their amazing skills and abilities in the WNBA. Topping the list for many journalists is Breanna Stewart of New York Liberty, having made a name for herself with Seattle Storm. The 28-year-old forward was the 2018 MVP and won two championships with her former team, and is hungry for more accolades.
Featuring as the number one overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, 26-year-old A’ja Wilson has certainly made great strides with Las Vegas Aces, living up to the hype surrounding her early career. Already boasting one MVP award and two championships, Wilson certainly has the tools and the talent to achieve plenty more success, making her one of the top individual players to watch over the coming years.
Often considered to be one of the most versatile and talented players, regardless of whichever end of the floor she’s covering, 29-year-old Jonquel Jones was the 2021 MVP with Connecticut Sun, but endured a disappointing 2022 season. However, if anyone is capable of bouncing back and becoming a rising star once again, it’s Jones, having now switched to New York Liberty. Great things are expected once again and she will be keen to deliver.
