Amid the excitement of the WNBA world as the playoffs loom closer, ESPN insiders ranked the 25 best players who are under 25 years old.
With six All-Stars under the age of 25, it marks the highest count since the 2011 season. It appears to just be the beginning of this new wave of talent taking over the WNBA, as some of the league’s brightest stars also happen to be among the youngest.
More news: Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga Saga Receives Major Update
Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen, this year’s No. 4 overall pick, takes the 10th spot on the list, averaging 12.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game on her way to an All-Star selection.
Following her are forwards Cameron Brink (No. 9) and Rickea Jackson (No. 8) of the Sparks. Brink played just 11 games last season before suffering an ACL tear, but has been solid in the 15 games since her return this season.
Jackson took on a much larger role last season after Brink went down, dropping 13.4 points per game on 45.6 percent shooting, and has upped her production to 14.9 points per contest, increasing her 3-point percentage to 36.1 percent this year.
More news: Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade? Bucks Receive Unfortunate Prediction From NBA Insiders
No. 7 on the list is Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, who upped her production from 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game last year to 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Her field goal percentage rose from 52.1 percent as a rookie to 53 percent in her sophomore campaign so far.
Sonia Citron of the Mystics takes the No. 6 spot as the All-Star rookie is putting up 15.2 points per game, along with averaging 1.2 steals. Next up is two-time All-Star and last season’s rebounds champion, Angel Reese.
She is having an up year in points (14.3), assists (3.7), and steals (1.4) per game, all while averaging 12.4 boards. Her field goal percentage has skyrocketed from 39.1 percent last year to 45.8 percent this season.
Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga, fourth overall on this list, is having a productive year off the bench, but at just 19 years old, the future looks bright for this year’s No. 2 overall pick, shooting 53.8 percent from the field off 13.8 minutes per game.
Fever center Aliyah Boston rightfully takes the No. 3 spot as the three-time All-Star is having another fantastic season. She is putting up 15.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, one steal, and one block per game.
Then comes the question for the top two spots: Paige Bueckers or Caitlin Clark?
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies react in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on…
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies react in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
More
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
The honor of the No. 2 spot on the list goes to Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers.
Another rookie All-Star this season, Bueckers is dazzling the court with 19 points, 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. She recently dropped 44 points against the Sparks earlier this month while shooting 81 percent from the field, becoming the first player in WNBA history to score 40 or more points on 80 percent or higher from the field.
However, ESPN’s top-ranked player under 25 years old is none other than Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Although injuries have limited her to just 13 games this season, she was on pace to notch career-highs in assists (8.8) and steals (1.6) per game. It is unsurprising to see her at the top of most lists, as when she can get back to the court — which is likely before the playoffs — she’s expected to once again show why she is regarded as such an impactful player.
For all the latest WNBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.