The W25
Women's National Basketball Associationawards and honors |
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Championship |
Commissioner's Cup Champions |
Individual awards |
Honors |
The W25are theWomen's National Basketball Association's Top 25 Players of All Time, chosen in2021on the occasion of the 25th season of the W NBA from amongst 72 nominees compiled by the league. The group, selected by a panel consisting of media members and pioneering women's basketball figures, was to comprise the 25 best and most influential players of the first 25 years of the W NBA, with consideration also accorded tosportsmanship,community service,leadership,and contribution to the growth ofwomen's basketball.To be considered, players had to have competed in the W NBA for at least two seasons, and fit at least four of seven criteria:
- Winning a major individual playing award.
- Selection to at least oneAll-W NBA Teamat any level.
- Selection to at least oneW NBA All-Defensive Teamat any level.
- Selection for at least oneW NBA All-Star Game.
- Member of at least one W NBA championship team.
- A ranking among the top 40 career leaders in any major statistical category, as of the start of the 2021 season.
- Winner of the W NBA 's season-longCommunity Assist Award.
The W25 were announced on September 5, 2021 at halftime of theLas Vegas Aces–Chicago Skygame, televised in the U.S. byABC.[1]
The announcement of The W25 was immediately followed by "Vote for the GOAT". From September 5–19, fans voted on the W NBA 's official website, the W NBA 's mobile app, and Twitter to determine which member of The W25 they considered to be the league's greatest of all time. Before Game 1 of the2021 W NBA Finalson October 10 atFootprint CenterinPhoenix, Arizona,Diana Taurasiwas announced as the fans' "GOAT".[2]
Players selected
[edit]- Notes
- All information only pertains to the first 25 years of the league's existence.
- No awards or honors that were presented after the 2021 regular season are included. The 2021 All-Star Game is included because it took place before the final announcement of The W25.
^ | Denotes player who was still active in the W NBA at this time |
~ | Inducted into theWomen's Basketball Hall of Fame |
Inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
Player | Nationality | Position | Team(s) | League titles | League awards | All-Star Games | All-Decade Team | Top 15 Team | Top 20 Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seimone Augustus | United States | SF | Minnesota Lynx(2006–2019) Los Angeles Sparks(2020) |
2011,2013,2015,2017 | Finals MVP(2011) ROY(2006) 6×All-W NBA |
2006–2007, 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018 | — | Nominated | Yes |
Sue Bird | United States | PG | Seattle Storm(2002–2012, 2014–2018, 2020–2022; entire career) | 2004,2010,2018,2020 | KPSA(2011, 2017, 2018) 8×All-W NBA |
2002, 2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Swin Cash | 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) 2×All-W NBA |
2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 | Nominated | Nominated | Yes |
Tamika Catchings | 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-W NBA 12×All-Defensive |
2002–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tina Charles^ | United States | C | Connecticut Sun(2010–2013) New York Liberty(2014–2019) Washington Mystics(2021–) Phoenix Mercury(2022) Seattle Storm(2022) Atlanta Dream(2024–) |
None | MVP(2012) ROY(2010) 9×All-W NBA 4×All-Defensive |
2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021 | — | — | Nominated |
Cynthia Cooper | United States | SG | Houston Comets(1997–2000, 2003; entire career) | 1997–2000 | MVP(1997, 1998) Finals MVP(1997–2000) 4×All-W NBA |
1999, 2000, 2003 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Elena Delle Donne | United States | F/G | Chicago Sky(2013–2016) Washington Mystics(2017–2023) |
2019 | 2xMVP(2015, 2019) ROY(2013) 5×All-W NBA |
2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2023 | — | — | Nominated |
Sylvia Fowles | United States | C | Chicago Sky(2008–2014) Minnesota Lynx(2015–2022) |
2015,2017 | MVP(2017) Finals MVP(2015, 2017) 4xDPOY(2011, 2013, 2016, 2021) 8×All-W NBA 11×All-Defensive |
2009, 2011, 2013, 2017–2019, 2021, 2022 | — | — | Nominated |
Yolanda Griffith | United States | C | Sacramento Monarchs(1999–2007) Seattle Storm(2008) Indiana Fever(2009) |
2005 | MVP(1999) Finals MVP(2005) DPOY(1999) ASG MVP(2004) 5×All-W NBA |
1999–2001, 2003, 2005–2007 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Brittney Griner^ | United States | C | Phoenix Mercury(2013–; entire career to date) | 2014 | DPOY(2014, 2015) 5×All-W NBA 6×All-Defensive |
2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021 | — | — | Nominated |
Becky Hammon | United States Russia |
PG | New York Liberty(1999–2006) San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars(2007–2014) |
None | KPSA(2014) 4×All-W NBA |
2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011 | Nominated | Yes | Yes |
Lauren Jackson | Australia | C | Seattle Storm(2001–2012; entire career) | 2004,2010 | MVP(2003, 2007, 2010) Finals MVP(2010) DPOY(2007) 8×All-W NBA |
2001–2003, 2005–2007, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lisa Leslie | 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-W NBA |
1999–2003, 2005–2006, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Angel McCoughtry | United States | F/G | Atlanta Dream(2009–2018) Las Vegas Aces(2020–2021) Minnesota Lynx(2022) |
None | ROY(2009) 6×All-W NBA 8×All-Defensive |
2011, 2013–2015, 2018 | — | — | Nominated |
Maya Moore~ | United States | SF | Minnesota Lynx(2011–2018; entire career)[a] | 2011,2013,2015,2017 | MVP(2014) Finals MVP(2013) ASG MVP(2015, 2017, 2018) ROY(2011) 7×All-W NBA 2×All-Defensive |
2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018 | — | — | Yes |
Nneka Ogwumike^ | United States | PF | Los Angeles Sparks(2012–2023) Seattle Storm(2024-) |
2016 | MVP(2016) ROY(2012) KPSA(2019, 2020) 6×All-W NBA 6×All-Defensive |
2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2022, 2023 | — | — | Nominated |
Candace Parker | United States | PF | Los Angeles Sparks(2008–2020) Chicago Sky(2021–2022) Las Vegas Aces(2023–) |
2016,2021,2023 | MVP(2008, 2013) DPOY(2020) ASG MVP(2013) Finals MVP(2016) ROY(2008) 10×All-W NBA 2×All-Defensive |
2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 | — | Nominated | Yes |
Ticha Penicheiro~ | Portugal | PG | Sacramento Monarchs(1998–2009) Los Angeles Sparks(2010–2011) Chicago Sky(2012) |
2005 | 3×All-W NBA 1×All-Defensive |
1999–2002 | Honorable mention | Yes | Yes |
Cappie Pondexter | 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) 4×All-W NBA 1×All-Defensive |
2006–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2015 | — | Yes | Yes |
Katie Smith | 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) 4×All-W NBA |
2000–2003, 2005–2006, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Breanna Stewart^ | United States | PF | Seattle Storm(2016–2022) New York Liberty(2023-) |
2018,2020 | MVP(2018, 2023) Finals MVP(2018, 2020) ROY(2016) 6×All-W NBA 5×All-Defensive |
2017, 2018, 2021-2023 | — | — | — |
Sheryl Swoopes | United States | SF | Houston Comets(1997–2000, 2002–2007) Seattle Storm(2008) Tulsa Shock(2011) |
1997–2000 | MVP(2000, 2002, 2005) DPOY(2000, 2002, 2003) ASG MVP(2005) 7×All-W NBA 2×All-Defensive |
1999, 2000, 2002–2003, 2005–2006 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Diana Taurasi^ | United States | SG | Phoenix Mercury(2004–2014, 2016–; entire career to date) | 2007,2009,2014 | MVP(2009) Finals MVP(2009, 2014) ROY(2004) 14×All-W NBA |
2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2014, 2017–2018, 2021 | Honorable mention | Yes | Yes |
Tina Thompson | United States | SF | Houston Comets(1997–2008) Los Angeles Sparks(2009–2011) Seattle Storm(2012–2013) |
1997–2000 | ASG MVP(2000) 8×All-W NBA |
1999–2003, 2006, 2007, 2009 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lindsay Whalen | United States | PG | Connecticut Sun(2004-2009) Minnesota Lynx(2010–2018) |
2011,2013,2015,2017 | 5×All-W NBA | 2006, 2011, 2013–2015 | No | No | Yes |
- The inaugural W NBA All-Star Game took place during the 1999 season, and the game has been contested yearly since, with the following exceptions:
- From 2004 through 2016, no All-Star Game was held in any Olympic year. The 2004 edition was supplanted bya gamebetween W NBA players from both conferences and the 2004 United States Olympic team, and the 2010 edition was replaced bya gamebetween W NBA players from both conferences and Team USA, but the W NBA does not consider either to have been an All-Star Game.
- No All-Star Game was scheduled in 2020, accommodating the original scheduling of that year's Summer Olympics. The Olympics were delayed to 2021 due toCOVID-19issues.
- With the Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for 2021, the W NBA held a pre-Olympic game between W NBA players from both conferences and the 2021 US Olympic team. Unlike the 2004 and 2010 editions, the 2021 edition was officially classified as an All-Star Game.
- Players who were voted to start in All-Star Games but were unable to play due to injury are nevertheless considered to have been starters; players voted as reserves who started in place of other injured players are nevertheless considered to have been reserves.
- Three players included in previous lists,Dawn Staley(All-Decade and 15 Years Team),Teresa Weatherspoon(15 Years and 20@20) andDeanna Nolan(20@20) missed the W25.
Footnotes
[edit]- ^Moore last played in the W NBA in 2018, but did not officially announce her retirement until January 2023.
References
[edit]- ^"W NBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History," The W25 ""(Press release). W NBA. September 5, 2021.RetrievedOctober 18,2021.
- ^"Diana Taurasi Voted By Fans As W NBA 's Greatest Player of All Time"(Press release). W NBA. October 10, 2021.RetrievedOctober 20,2021.