Leaders, Powerful Voices: WNBA Names The W25, Top Players In League History

By Barry Janoff

September 6, 2021: As part of its season-long 25th anniversary events, the WNBA has named “The W25,” a roster of the 25 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history.

The W25” includes ten current players: Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles, Brittney Griner, Angel McCoughtry, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi.

Fifteen retired players are also among the honorees: Seimone Augustus, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, Yolanda Griffith, Becky Hammon, Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie, Maya Moore, Ticha Penicheiro, Cappie Pondexter, Katie Smith, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson and Lindsay Whalen.

Among those in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame are Catchings, Cooper, Griffith, Jackson, Leslie, Smith, Swoopes and Thompson.

“These athletes have played the game at the highest level on the court — they are scorers and rebounders, assist makers and defensive stoppers, leaders and mentors,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said via the league.

“In the community, they have powerful voices, individually and collectively, speaking out on important issues in our society. Together, they have transformed the way the game is played, changed the way athletes are viewed, become incredible role models, and inspired generations of young, diverse athletes.”

The WNBA was founded on April 22, 1996, and officially began play June 21, 1997 when the New York Liberty faced the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles, shown on NBC.

Four of The W25 played in the WNBA’s inaugural season: Cooper, Leslie, Swoopes and Thompson.

According to the WNBA, the selection of “The W25” began with a list of 72 nominees chosen based on factors such as on-court performance and ability, leadership, sportsmanship and community service, and contributions to team success.

A select panel of media members and women’s basketball pioneers and advocates then cast the votes that determined “The W25.”

In the next phase, the league is asking the public-at-large to vote for the G.O.A.T., the greatest WNBA player of all time from among The W25. (Details here).

The GOAT will be unveiled during the WNBA Finals 2021 presented by YouTube TV.

Among the highlights of The W25:

Ten have won a WNBA championship, an NCAA title and an Olympic gold medal: Bird, Cash, Catchings, Cooper, Griner, Moore, Parker, Stewart, Swoopes and Taurasi.

Twenty-two have won a total of 53 WNBA championships:

• Four each by Augustus, Bird, Cooper, Moore, Swoopes, Thompson and Whalen

• Three each by Cash and Taurasi

• Two each by Fowles, Jackson, Leslie, Pondexter, Smith and Stewart.

• One each by Catchings, Delle Donne, Griffith, Griner, Ogwumike, Parker and Penicheiro

Vote for the WNBA GOAT.

WNBA Unveils All-Time 25, GOAT Vote Details

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