The WNBA is celebrating its 30th season with the anniversary of its first game, between the Los Angeles Sparks and the New York Liberty on Sunday, a game the Sparks won 67-57.

The opening tip in that matchup was won by Lisa Leslie, who went on to have one of the most illustrious WNBA careers. As we commemorate the league reaching its 30th season, Leslie is one of the 30 players who defined this first era of the WNBA. Here are the rest:

1. Tamika CatchingsIndiana Fever │ 15 years of service (2002-2016)

Accolades: MVP, champion, finals MVP, 5-time DPOY, 12-time all-WNBA, 10-time All-Star

A five-time Defensive Player of the Year and one-time MVP, Catchings is the best player to suit up for the Indiana Fever as she led the franchise to its lone WNBA title in 2012. Catchings is one of the most complete players in the league’s existence: an ace defender and a high-level scorer, rebounder and playmaker all wrapped into one.
Catchings earns the top spot in this exercise for the combination of her longevity, consistency, two-way excellence and peak performance. She has the most win shares in league history, and the gap between first and second in win shares is greater than the gap between second and 13th in that important stat category.

2. Diana TaurasiPhoenix Mercury │ 20 YOS (2004-2014, 2016-2024)

Accolades: MVP, 3-time champion, 2-time finals MVP, 14-time all-WNBA, 11-time All-Star

The WNBA recognized Taurasi as the GOAT in 2021 during its 25th season, when she led the Phoenix Mercury to the finals. In 2023, she became the first WNBA player to clear 10,000 points. Although only a one-time MVP, Taurasi has long been the most devastating scorer in league history, a title that has only recently been challenged by Aces star A’ja Wilson.

OTD: Diana Taurasi became the WNBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer surpassing Tina Thompson’s previous mark (7,488) on June 18, 2017 pic.twitter.com/hpmJOP6JCs

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 18, 2026

3. Cynthia CooperHouston Comets │ 5 YOS (1997-2000, 2003)

Accolades: 2-time MVP, 4-time champion, 4-time finals MVP, 4-time all-WNBA, 3-time All-Star

The first chapter of WNBA history cannot be told without Cooper. Although her prime years were spent in Italy before the inauguration of the league — leading to Cooper being overlooked for the Los Angeles Sparks despite being a two-time NCAA champion at USC — she still had enough gas in the tank at the age of 34 to lead the Houston Comets to the first WNBA title — and then helped them win the next three. Cooper was the WNBA Finals MVP on all four of those teams and led the league in scoring during its first three seasons. She has the second-highest scoring average (21 points per game) in league history.

4. A’ja WilsonLas Vegas Aces│8 YOS (2018-present)

Accolades: 4-time MVP, 3-time champion, 2-time finals MVP, 3-time DPOY, 6-time all-WNBA, 7-time All-Star

Wilson is the most accomplished player among the modern generation of the WNBA and could very well end her career as the best the league has seen. In eight seasons, she has won three championships, four MVPs (the most of any player) and three Defensive Player of the Year trophies. She is regarded throughout the league as the best active player and arguably hasn’t even hit her prime.

5. Breanna StewartSeattle Storm, New York Liberty│9 YOS (2017-present)

Accolades: 2-time MVP, 3-time champion, 2-time finals MVP, 7-time all-WNBA, 7-time All-Star

A three-time champion, two-time MVP, two-time finals MVP, Rookie of the Year, seven-time All-Star and seven-time All-WNBA selection, Stewart is one of the most decorated players in league history, and she’s still playing at an elite level. Offensively, Stewart is one of the most dynamic bigs to ever compete because of her position-less style with a top-10 efficiency rating on the WNBA’s all-time leaderboard. Defensively, her 7-foot-1 wingspan has terrorized opponents throughout her 11-year career. Stewart will go down as one of the greatest players, but the next few years will determine how high on the list she’ll sit.

Maya Moore, left, and Lindsay Whalen (another player on our list) celebrate after winning the 2015 WNBA Finals. (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images)

6. Maya MooreMinnesota Lynx │ 8 YOS (2011-2018)

Accolades: MVP, 4-time champion, 7-time all-WNBA, 6-time All-Star

Prolific is the best way to summarize Moore’s eight-year career, in which she won four WNBA titles with the Minnesota Lynx, was a finals MVP, league MVP and six-time All-Star. Moore stepped away from the game in 2019 to dedicate her life to criminal justice reform, leaving basketball fans speculating about what else she could have accomplished. Her Hall of Fame accomplishments in such a short window speaks to GOAT status.

7. Sylvia FowlesChicago Sky, Minnesota Lynx │ 15 YOS (2008-2022)

Accolades: MVP, 2-time champion, 4-time DPOY, 8-time all-WNBA, 8-time All-Star

“Sweet Syl” was anything but sweet to opposing players when they entered the paint. A four-time Defensive Player of the Year — one behind the record set by Catchings — Fowles was the dominant defensive center of her generation, and her ability to control the glass helped extend the Lynx dynasty for two more titles after she arrived in Minnesota in 2015. She has the highest rebounding average (9.8) in league history.

8. Candace ParkerLos Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces │ 16 YOS (2008-2023)

Accolades: 2-time MVP, 3-time champion, finals MVP, DPOY, 10-time all-WNBA, 7-time All-Star

The first and only combo MVP and Rookie of the Year winner in WNBA history, Parker revolutionized the way bigs play. At 6-foot-4, Parker had guard-like skills, a credit to skills her father began instilling in her when she was a kid. She is one of the most decorated players in WNBA history, winning three titles with three franchises, including her hometown team, the Chicago Sky, in 2021. She ranks in the top 10 on the WNBA’s all-time leaderboards in points, rebounds and blocks.

9. Lauren JacksonSeattle Storm │ 12 YOS (2001-2012)

Accolades: 3-time MVP, 2-time champion, finals MVP, DPOY, 8-time all-WNBA, 7-time All-Star

Jackson was the first great international player to thrive in the WNBA. To date, she is the only MVP who didn’t attend a U.S. college. Jackson and Sue Bird formed a dynamic inside-outside duo for the Seattle Storm en route to two titles. The Australian center averaged 18.9 points for her career, the sixth-highest mark in league history.

10. Yolanda GriffithSacramento Monarchs, Seattle Storm, Indiana Fever │ 11 YOS (1999-2009)

Accolades: MVP, champion, finals MVP, DPOY, 5-time all-WNBA, 7-time All-Star

Griffith’s nine-year run with the Sacramento Monarchs was a paragon of consistent excellence. She was a true back-to-the-basket big who walked into 15 points and 10 rebounds with regularity. An MVP, a DPOY and a five-time all-WNBA honoree, Griffith was the finals MVP when the Monarchs won their lone title in 2005.

11. Lisa LeslieLos Angeles Sparks │ 12 YOS (1997-2006, 2008-09)

Accolades: 3-time MVP, 2-time champion, 2-time finals MVP, 2-time DPOY, 12-time all-WNBA, 8-time All-Star

Leslie’s stardom made the Sparks one of the league’s premier franchises upon its inception. As she and Lauren competed for the title of the WNBA’s best center, Leslie matched her Australian counterpart with three MVPs and two titles. Her consistency never wavered as she averaged at least 15 points every year of her career and seamlessly passed the dominant frontcourt player torch in Los Angeles to Parker.

Sheryl Swoopes was one of the first WNBA stars as the league launched 30 years ago. (Ronald Martinez / Allsport)

12. Sheryl SwoopesHouston Comets, Seattle Storm, Tulsa Shock │ 12 YOS (1997-2000, 2002-08, 2011)

Accolades: 3-time MVP, 4-time champion, 3-time DPOY, 7-time all-WNBA, 6-time All-Star

The first three-time MVP in league history, Swoopes excelled on both ends as a multi-time scoring champ and steals leader. She also played a pivotal role in the Comets’ four-peat despite missing much of the WNBA’s inaugural season on maternity leave. She was one of the smoothest scorers but had an all-around game as the first WNBA player to post both a regular-season and playoff triple-double.

13. Elena Delle DonneChicago Sky, Washington Mystics │ 10 YOS (2013-19, 2021-23)

Accolades: 2-time MVP, champion, 5-time all-WNBA, 7-time All-Star

The first player to post a 50-40-90 season in WNBA history, Delle Donne was one of the league’s premier shooters during the prime of her career. More than that, Delle Donne was an elite leader and scorer and memorably gutted through a back injury to propel the Washington Mystics to their only WNBA title, in 2019.

14. Nneka OgwumikeLos Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm │ 14 YOS (2012-present)

Accolades: MVP, champion, 8-time all-WNBA, 10-time All-Star

Ogwumike led two CBA negotiations as the president of the WNBA players’ association, but that shouldn’t overshadow one of the league’s most consistently excellent careers on the court. Ogwumike is currently second all-time in win shares, fourth in points and fourth in rebounds. MVP in the Sparks’ 2016 championship season, Ogwumike had arguably the most efficient season in WNBA history in 2016; her 66.5 field-goal percentage was the highest of any player who averaged double-digit field-goal attempts.

15. Tina ThompsonHouston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm │ 17 YOS (1997-2013)

Accolades: 4-time champion, 8-time all-WNBA, 9-time All-Star

Thompson was part of the iconic trio, alongside Cooper and Swoopes, who helped the Houston Comets form the WNBA’s first dynasty. The youngest of the group, she remained a high-volume scorer for another decade after the Comets’ last championship and became the league’s all-time leading scorer in 2010 before being surpassed by Taurasi.

16. Seimone AugustusMinnesota Lynx, Los Angeles Sparks │ 15 YOS (2006-20)

Accolades: 4-time champion, finals MVP, 6-time all-WNBA, 8-time All-Star

The 2006 Rookie of the Year was a consistent bucket-getter for the four-time champion Minnesota Lynx. She averaged at least 16 points for nine consecutive seasons to begin her WNBA career, earning six all-WNBA honors and eight All-Star berths as part of the Lynx’s dynastic run.

Sue Bird became a WNBA icon for her drive to win. (Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)

17. Sue BirdSeattle Storm │ 19 YOS (2002-2012, 2014-18, 2020-22)

Accolades: 4-time champion, 8-time all-WNBA, 13-time All-Star

Bird is the standard-bearer for WNBA point guards. She is all-time assist leader and the winningest player in league history, spending her entire career with the Seattle Storm and helping lead the team to four championships. Although Bird was never the best player on the Storm’s title teams and had only three top-five MVP finishes in her 19-year career, she was the connecting thread on and off the court.

18. Tina CharlesConnecticut Sun, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, Atlanta Dream │ 14 YOS (2010-19, 2021-22, 2024-25) 

Accolades: MVP, 9-time all-WNBA, 8-time All-Star

Charles retired as the most decorated player to never win an WNBA title, but her individual accolades are near unparalleled. An MVP, eight-time All-Star and nine-time all-WNBA selection, Charles ended her career as the league leader in rebounds and second in points behind Taurasi. At her peak, she was unstoppable getting the ball in the basket.

19. Brittney GrinerPhoenix Mercury, Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun │ 12 YOS (2013-21, 2023-25) 

Accolades: Champion, 2-time DPOY, 6-time all-WNBA, 9-time All-Star

Griner came into the WNBA as her authentic self, wearing a suit to draft night and prompting the league to embrace Pride events when it had previously been reluctant. She commanded attention and change because she was so dominant with the Phoenix Mercury. She averaged at least three blocks in her first four seasons and then led the WNBA in scoring twice. She helped the Mercury win the title in 2014, her second season. Griner’s physical presence changed the prototype for WNBA centers, and she’s six blocks away from breaking Margo Dydek’s all-time record.

20. Lindsay WhalenConnecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx │ 15 YOS (2004-18)

Accolades: 4-time champion, 5-time all-WNBA, 5-time All-Star

The pride of Minnesota basketball, Whalen’s arrival helped the Lynx win four championships in seven seasons. Whalen was a five-time All-Star and five-time all-WNBA selection. She is the all-time leader in postseason assists and led the league in assists three times.

21. Katie SmithMinnesota Lynx, Detroit Shock, Washington Mystics, Seattle Storm, New York Liberty │ 15 YOS (1999-2013)

Accolades: 2-time champion, finals MVP, 4-time all-WNBA, 7-time All-Star

Smith was one of the toughest shooting guards to play in the WNBA. She was an excellent shooter who proved herself as a No. 1 option, leading the league in scoring in 2001. Upon moving to Detroit, Smith leaned into defense, helping the Shock to two titles and earned the finals MVP trophy in 2008.

22. Ticha PenicheiroSacramento Monarchs, Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky │ 15 YOS (1998-2012)

Accolades: Champion, 3-time all-WNBA, 4-time All-Star

Third on the WNBA’s all-time assist leaderboard, Penicheiro is first in flash. She was selected No. 2 in the 1998 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs and went on to play 12 of her 15 WNBA seasons in Sactown. In 2005, she helped lead the franchise to its first and only WNBA title. A seven-time assist champ, Penicheiro’s highlights still rival those of the stars who have come after her.

23. Cappie PondexterPhoenix Mercury, New York Liberty, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever │ 13 YOS (2006-18)

Accolades: 2-time champion, finals MVP, 4-time all-WNBA, 7-time All-Star

Pondexter defined the word crafty during her 13-year career. Between her handles and her ability to create for herself and get her teammates involved, Pondexter is one of the greatest dual-threat guards in basketball, period. She won two titles with the Phoenix Mercury, the team that drafted her second in 2006, was a seven-time All-Star and a finals MVP. Beyond her Hall of Fame accomplishments on the court, Pondexter revolutionized style and authenticity for players off the court.

Becky Hammon is known these days for her coaching prowess, but she was one of the league’s best guards. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

24. Becky HammonNew York Liberty, San Antonio Stars │ 16 YOS (1999-2014)

Accolades: 4-time all-WNBA, 6-time All-Star

She’s more decorated now as a coach than a player, but Hammon was one of the best guards during the WNBA’s first years. Hammon really hit her stride during her San Antonio tenure, averaging 15.6 points and 5.1 assists for the Silver Stars. She ended her career top-five all-time in assists.

25. Deanna NolanDetroit Shock │ 9 YOS (2001-09)

Accolades: 3-time champion, finals MVP, 5-time all-WNBA, 4-time All-Star

Nolan will always be remembered for the beauty of her midrange jumper, a spiritual precursor to Courtney Williams. Although her time in the WNBA ended after the Detroit Shock moved to Tulsa, “Tweety” Nolan was still a five-time all-WNBA selection, five-time all-defense honoree and three-time champion, packing a full career’s worth of accolades by age 30.

26. Jonquel JonesConnecticut Sun, New York Liberty │ 9 YOS (2016-19, 2021-present)

Accolades: MVP, champion, finals MVP, 5-time all-WNBA, 5-time All-Star

The arc of Jones’ career is unlike any other. She has been a Most Improved Player, Sixth Woman of the Year, MVP, Commissioner’s Cup MVP and finals MVP — the only player to capture four of those honors. At her peak, Jones rivals any player who has stepped foot on a WNBA court, and despite bouts of inconsistency, Jones is 24th all time in total win shares. She is the gold standard of stretch centers and rivaled only by Delle Donne in terms of shooting bigs.

27. Alana BeardWashington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks │ 14 YOS (2004-09, 2012-19)

Accolades: Champion, 2-time DPOY, all-WNBA, 4-time All-Star

One of the greatest perimeter defenders in league history, Beard had two distinct acts to her Hall of Fame career. The first was as a do-it-all four-time All-Star wing for the Washington Mystics, building on the promise of her program-defining tenure at Duke. After losing two seasons to lower leg injuries, Beard redefined herself as the best perimeter stopper in the league, winning two Defensive Player of the Year awards (the last guard to do so) and one title for the Los Angeles Sparks.

28. Rebekkah BrunsonSacramento Monarchs, Minnesota Lynx │ 15 YOS (2004-18)

Accolades: 5-time champion, 5-time All-Star

The only five-time champion in WNBA history. Brunson was a consistent defensive backstop throughout her time with the Sacramento Monarchs — where she was part of their lone title — and in Minnesota, where she remains as an assistant coach after anchoring four Lynx championships. Brunson retired as the league’s leading rebounder before being passed by Sylvia Fowles in 2020.

Angel McCoughtry, one of the league’s best two-way wings, helped establish the Atlanta Dream. (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images)

29. Angel McCoughtryAtlanta Dream, Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx │ 13 YOS (2009-16, 2018, 2020-2022)

Accolades: 6-time all-WNBA, 5-time All-Star

One of the game’s great two-way wings, McCoughtry built the Atlanta Dream franchise from the ground up, immediately launching the team into championship contention after being drafted. McCoughtry was an elite scorer and defender who brought a new level of physicality for WNBA wings.

30. Chelsea GrayConnecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces │ 11 YOS (2015- present)

Accolades: 4-time champion, finals MVP, 3-time all-WNBA, 6-time All-Star

The “Point Gawd” redefined clutch with her 2022 postseason run, when she averaged 21.7 points and shot 61 percent from the field to lead the Las Vegas Aces to their first championship and seemingly patented her end-of-game elbow jumper. The only active four-time champion, Gray’s a consummate winner who hasn’t missed the playoffs for the last 10 years. She also brought flash back to the point guard position, the connecting piece between Penicheiro and the new generation of elite guards such as Olivia Miles.

— Annie Costabile contributed to this report.