WNBA 2022 – Rating the highest 25 gamers within the league

The power to battle inside and in addition hit the mid-range-and-beyond bounce shot has change into the definition of nice publish play in skilled basketball, and the WNBA presently has a few of the greatest to ever do it. So it isn’t stunning that three league MVPs of their mid-to-late 20s with that ability set cleared the path in ESPN’s 2022 preseason rating of the highest 25 gamers within the WNBA.

However longevity can be a defining attribute within the WNBA, and a few of the league’s most revered veterans are nonetheless hanging powerful among the many elite.

Because the WNBA will get set to start out its 26th season on Might 6, our rating comes with a few caveats. Phoenix Mercury heart Brittney Griner (detained in Russia) and Minnesota Lynx ahead Napheesa Collier (being pregnant) are two gamers who would have made the checklist however will not be in motion to start out the season, so they’re left off. Additionally, we’ll re-rank gamers all through the season, so gamers who present they’ve elevated their video games or — like Washington Mystics ahead Alysha Clark — are getting back from accidents, would possibly make it into the highest 25.

In a 12-team league, a participant already must be among the many better of the most effective simply to get a roster spot. However listed below are the easiest.

---

Ahead | 6-foot-4
2021 stats: 20.Three PPG, 9.6 RPG

After reestablishing herself as the most effective participant on the earth with a dominant efficiency within the 2020 WNBA Finals, averaging 28.Three PPG because the Storm swept the Aces for a second title in three years, Stewart was a powerful contender for MVP earlier than harm ended her 2021 marketing campaign late within the common season. Again wholesome after offseason Achilles surgery, Stewart might be trying to choose up the place she left off within the playoffs. Seattle has gained the final 10 postseason video games Stewart has performed, in addition to final 12 months’s inaugural Commissioner’s Cup — the place Stewart gained one other MVP. — Pelton

Ahead | 6-foot-6
2021 stats: 19.Four PPG, 11.2 RPG

Recent off sitting out the 2020 season, Jones took her sport to a different stage in 2021, propelling the Solar to a league-best 26-6 regular-season document and incomes MVP honors alongside the best way, making her the primary WNBA participant to win each Most Improved Participant and MVP of their profession. It isn’t simply Jones’ constant dominance that stands out, however her versatility (she’s a 6-foot-6 ahead/heart who shoots 3s!) and talent to influence each ends of the ground make her a headache for opposing groups. Nonetheless, Jones is not one to relaxation on her laurels, particularly after the Solar’s championship objectives had been foiled by red-hot Chicago within the semifinals; she might be again, now reunited with former teammate Courtney Williams, hungrier than ever to steer the Solar to a franchise-first title. — Philippou

Ahead | 6-foot-4
2021 stats: 18.Three PPG, 9.Three RPG, 1.Three BPG

Wilson has a WNBA MVP award, an Olympic gold medal and a statue of herself at her alma mater, South Carolina, however continues to be simply 25 years previous. The Aces are getting into a unique period, with new coach Becky Hammon and new basic supervisor Natalie Williams, however Wilson stays the inspiration of the group on the court docket. She was crushed by the Aces’ semifinal loss to Phoenix final season; Wilson desires so badly to win a title for a franchise that has not accomplished so in any of its three incarnations in Utah, San Antonio and Las Vegas. However with Wilson as their centerpiece, the Aces stay strongly within the hunt. — Voepel

Middle | 6-foot-6
2021 stats: 16.Zero PPG, 10.1 RPG

The 2022 season would be the final trip for two-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP and the league’s all-time main rebounder, who has stated she’s going to retire following this season. Lastly wholesome in 2021 after enjoying simply seven regular-season video games in 2020, Fowles, 36, has managed to play at an extremely excessive stage within the twilight of her profession, incomes the league’s defensive participant of the 12 months award final season, the fourth time she has gained the award. Her 64% taking pictures in 2021 was the second-best of her profession, and he or she was No. Four within the league in win shares (6.3), based on Her Hoops Stats. The Lynx would possibly face extra questions than certainties heading into the summer time, however search for Minnesota to do all it may possibly to ship Fowles out with a bang. — Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-9
2021 stats: 17.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.Three APG

The transfer to play for Phoenix in 2020 has been superb for Diggins-Smith, who helped the Mercury make the WNBA Finals final 12 months and in addition gained gold with the U.S. Olympic group. Her consistency has been an indicator of her play, even going again to her years in Tulsa and Dallas. Diggins-Smith was within the prime 10 in participant effectivity ranking (PER) and win shares final season. She has clicked nicely with Mercury teammate Diana Taurasi; now each might be enjoying for a brand new coach in Vanessa Nygaard. — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-10
2021 stats: 17.9 PPG, 3.Eight APG

Loyd is coming off the most effective season of her profession, having set profession highs in each scoring and assists to earn All-WNBA First Crew honors for the primary time. Tasked with extra accountability at each ends after the departure of starters Alysha Clark and Natasha Howard earlier than final season, Loyd responded with extra playmaking and improved particular person protection. The additions of Briann January and Gabby Williams ought to take Loyd out of that stopper position, giving her extra power for what she does greatest: getting buckets. — Pelton

Guard | 5-foot-8
2021 stats: 10.5 PPG, 8.6 APG

Chicago broke by to win the primary title in franchise historical past largely because of the arrival of legendary Candace Parker and development of Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, however make no mistake: Vandersloot stays the Sky’s greatest participant. Sloot led the WNBA in assists per sport for a sixth consecutive season, and he or she’s all however sure to cross Lindsay Whalen for third all-time in assists this season if she stays wholesome. With extra assist, Vandersloot posted historic Finals help numbers, handing out double-digits in all 4 video games. — Pelton

Middle | 6-foot-4
2021 stats: 23.Four PPG, 9.6 RPG

Charles’ two-year stint in Washington, which concluded with the previous MVP coming away with the best utilization fee within the league final season (31.8%) and placing up a career-high 23.Four factors per sport, went fairly awry, to say the least. She opted out of the 2020 season on account of well being considerations, earlier than the Mystics had been hit with a slew of accidents to Elena Delle Donne, Alysha Clark and others in 2021, leading to them lacking the postseason. Now, she’ll begin contemporary in Phoenix, her third group in 4 seasons, as she chases the final honor she has but to safe throughout her embellished collegiate and professional profession: a WNBA title. The Phoenix frontcourt will look completely different than anticipated with Griner nonetheless detained in Russia, however Charles might be surrounded by a plethora of stars who determine to make the Mercury championship contenders as soon as extra. — Philippou

Ahead/heart | 6-foot-4
2021 stats: 13.Three PPG, 8.Four RPG, 4.Zero APG

This previous 12 months has been magical for Parker. She made the daring transfer as a free agent to go to her hometown of Chicago and helped carry the Sky their first WNBA championship. She and her spouse welcomed a child son, and her star continues to rise within the broadcasting world. Parker turned 36 on April 19 and continues to hone her craft on court docket. Former teammate Lisa Leslie stated she thought Parker’s management was the most effective it has ever been in 2021. That is one thing Parker brings once more to the Sky as they search to repeat their title. — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-8
2021 stats: 18.7 PPG, 3.Three APG

Ogunbowale has completed within the prime 5 in scoring in every of her first three seasons within the league, together with final 12 months, when she earned her first All-Star choice and took dwelling All-Star Sport MVP following a 26-point outing that helped Crew WNBA greatest the U.S. Olympic group. Although she recorded a career-low 2-point discipline objective proportion in 2021 (38.8%), she took and made extra 3s than some other time of her profession (37.6%). The Wings broke by to make their first playoff look since Ogunbowale was drafted, dropping to the eventual champion Sky, however expectations stay excessive for the fourth-year star after she signed a supermax deal that may preserve her in Dallas by 2025. — Philippou

Middle | 6-foot-8
2021 stats: 14.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.6 BPG

Eleven years after being drafted into the WNBA as a 19-year-old, Cambage is ultimately enjoying for the franchise she stated she all the time wished to be with. The Sparks had a uncommon playoff miss final season, so acquiring an elite heart like Cambage was a key acquisition. Cambage says she hopes to be extra of an inside-outside scoring menace for Los Angeles, which is okay. However her power and measurement on the low block make her such an enormous weapon there each offensively and defensively. — Voepel

Ahead/guard | 6-foot-5
2021 stats: 41 factors, 13 rebounds in 52 minutes

It looks like an eternity in the past that the two-time MVP gained her first WNBA title in 2019 with the Mystics, the identical 12 months she grew to become the primary WNBA participant to affix the 50-40-90 membership. Since then, Delle Donne has performed in simply three WNBA video games, opting out of the 2020 “bubble” season on account of well being considerations, whereas lingering again points precluded her full return in 2021. An offseason that she has painted as restorative and transformative, although, has left Delle Donne feeling the most effective she has in years and the basketball world longing for her to retake the ground. There’s little doubt that if/when wholesome, she stays the most effective gamers on the earth. — Philippou

Ahead/guard | 6-foot-4
2021 stats: 15.2 PPG, 6.Four RPG

Like some others on this checklist, Bonner has extra seasons within the league behind her slightly than in entrance of her, however since becoming a member of the Solar in 2020, she has managed to be a stabilizing power because the group navigated surprising absences of key items in back-to-back seasons. Final 12 months, that entailed her being the second scoring possibility behind Jonquel Jones, however Bonner additionally did a bit little bit of all the things else, coming in third on the group in rebounding, second in assists and at instances being a extremely disruptive defender. There needs to be much less weight on her shoulders with a wholesome Alyssa Thomas and Courtney Williams included into the fold in 2022, however Bonner will nonetheless play an enormous half in figuring out how far the Solar go this summer time. — Philippou

Ahead | 6-foot-2
2021 stats: 14.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.7 APG

It was a difficult 2021 for Ogwumike, who handled a knee harm that restricted her to 18 video games, an infinite disappointment being left off the Olympic group regardless of her in depth USA Basketball historical past, and the Sparks’ failure to make the playoffs. That got here on the heels of a demanding 2020 season within the bubble, throughout which her position as president of the union’s government committee was a full-time job on prime of enjoying. Ogwumike, who turns 32 in July, appears due a much less stress-filled and extra joyful 2022 season. — Voepel

Ahead | 6-foot-2
2021 stats: 5.5 PPG, 5.Zero RPG, 2.Zero APG

Her numbers from final 12 months are deceiving, as a result of she missed many of the season after having surgical procedure in January 2021 to restore a torn Achilles tendon. That Thomas made it again in any respect to play in 2021 is a testomony to her work ethic. She performed in two regular-season video games and 4 playoff video games for the Solar, who misplaced within the semifinals to Chicago. Her 15.5 PPG, 9.Zero RPG and 4.Eight APG averages in 2020 extra precisely present Thomas’ potential, and coach Curt Miller additionally considers her one of many league’s greatest defensive gamers. A totally wholesome Thomas probably makes the Solar much more harmful this season than final, after they had the league’s greatest document at 26-6. — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-9
2021 stats: 10.Zero PPG, 5.Three APG

Storm followers chanting “One more year” to persuade Chook to return for a 19th season in Seattle wasn’t simply concerning the reminiscences. At age 41, Chook stays an indispensable participant. With former backup Jordin Canada slumping, Chook averaged her most MPG (27.7) since 2017 and didn’t miss a sport on account of harm. (She sat out two after the Olympics to relaxation.) Chook’s 6.9 assists per 36 minutes ranked sixth within the league, and simply three gamers averaged extra 3-pointers per 36 (2.9 on 42% accuracy) in a minimum of 400 minutes performed. — Pelton

Guard | 5-foot-11
2021 stats: 11.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.9 APG

Grey left Los Angeles as a free agent final season and slot in nicely with the Aces, who benefited from her abilities and mentality as a real level guard. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how she connects with new Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon, who like Grey actually understood as a participant how you can maximize the expertise round her. Grey tied her profession excessive in help common final season, and he or she gained an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. group. — Voepel

Ahead | 6-foot-2
2021 stats: 16.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.7 APG

A knee harm restricted Howard to simply 13 regular-season video games and one playoff sport final season, after being obtained by the Liberty through commerce in February 2021. When wholesome, Howard was a really efficient menace for New York, and is predicted to be a cornerstone for the Liberty going ahead underneath new coach Sandy Brondello. Howard is trying ahead to paring with 6-10 heart Han Xu, with whom she has performed abroad, and serving to the Liberty change into a greater defensive group. — Voepel

Ahead | 6-foot-3
2021 stats: 14.7 PPG, 7.Three RPG

Jones adopted up a breakout 2020 through which she stepped up for the Jonquel Jones-less Solar within the bubble with a equally spectacular 2021 marketing campaign, the place she was as soon as once more requested to do extra with Alyssa Thomas out following an Achilles tear (and Jonquel overseas for a part of the summer time on account of EuroBasket). Brionna’s 14.7 factors per sport, which she achieved behind a 57.1% taking pictures clip, marked a profession excessive, and her consistency on the glass helped the Solar dominate the boards all season lengthy. Her 6.5 win shares had been third-most within the league, serving to her safe her first All-Star bid and the Most Improved Participant award. — Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-8
2021 stats: 16.2 PPG, 2.2 3PM

An All-Star for the primary time in her fourth season, Atkins continued the transformation from beneficial position participant into key offensive cog, boosting her utilization fee to a career-high 25% because the Mystics’ second-leading scorer. Atkins maintained an above-average true taking pictures proportion by advantage of quantity 3-point taking pictures (her 6.1 3-point makes an attempt per 36 ranked fourth within the league) and 83% accuracy on the foul line. She additionally earned All-Defensive Second Crew honors for a fourth consecutive season. Given Atkins will not flip 26 till the tip of July, there could be additional improvement forward. — Pelton

Ahead | 6-foot-3
2021 stats: 11.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG

Though Hamby misplaced out on the Sixth Participant Award to teammate Kelsey Plum after profitable in each 2019 and 2020, she remained as productive as ever in a reserve position. Actually, Hamby’s 17.1 factors per 36 minutes had been her most since 2018, when she noticed much less enjoying time. Hamby was rewarded with a primary All-Star look in entrance of dwelling followers in Las Vegas. With Liz Cambage‘s departure, Hamby might be in line for an excellent bigger position this season. — Pelton

Guard/ahead | 6-foot-1
2021 stats: 14.Four PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.Eight APG

The previous two seasons, Copper has actually blossomed as a professional participant. Then within the 2021 postseason, she took the following step as a go-to presence for the Sky throughout their title run. Copper averaged 17.7 factors, taking pictures 52% from the sector, and 5.Three rebounds in Chicago’s 10 playoff video games, and gained the WNBA Finals MVP award. — Voepel

Guard | 6-foot-0
2021 stats: 15.2 PPG, 4.9 APG in 16 video games

Accidents have considerably restricted Taurasi two of the final three seasons, together with in 2021, the place she handled a fractured sternum and sprained ankle whereas additionally navigating nationwide group duties for the Tokyo Olympics. However coming off Phoenix’s considerably stunning Finals run, the WNBA’s all-time main scorer is again for extra in 2022, her 18th season within the league, together with her 40th birthday in June quick approaching and no plans on retiring anytime quickly. With a brand new head coach and a slew of contemporary weapons in tow, Taurasi will look to bounce again in 2022 not simply with higher luck on the well being entrance, but additionally with higher productiveness after recording profession lows (for seasons the place she has appeared in a minimum of half the regular-season video games) in scoring (15.2 PPG) and discipline objective proportion (36.5%). — Philippou

Ahead | 6-foot-4
2021 stats: DNP

After a one-year absence because of the Olympics, Meesseman returns to the WNBA in a brand new spot after signing with the Sky as a free agent. The transfer reunites Meesseman with Belgium nationwide teammate Julie Allemand, with a 3rd Belgian star (Ann Wauters) on the Chicago teaching workers. Given the Sky’s depth, Meesseman would possibly discover herself in an analogous state of affairs to 2019, when she got here off the bench many of the season however sometimes completed video games — profitable Finals MVP honors within the course of. — Pelton

Guard | 5-foot-11
2021 stats: 13.7 PPG, 1.9 3PM

A change of surroundings helped McBride enhance her scoring common to the best level since 2018 with the Las Vegas Aces. McBride was extra environment friendly than ever after signing with Minnesota as a free agent, making a career-best 48.5% of her 2-point makes an attempt and 38% of her long-range makes an attempt. The consequence was a real taking pictures proportion (.586) that ranked 12th within the league amongst gamers who common double-figure scoring. With Napheesa Collier out of the lineup, McBride’s shot creation could be much more necessary for the 2022 Lynx. — Pelton