March is Women’s History Month! The annual observance is used to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. In celebration, we put together a gallery showcasing 25 of the women that helped make the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) the league it is today.

In 2021, the WNBA celebrated its 25th year in existence. For the occasion, the league compiled a list of 72 nominees with the intention of comprising the 25 best and most influential players of the first 25 years of the league’s history. A panel consisting of media members and pioneering women’s basketball figures selected the group. In addition to their on court dominance, other things that were taken into consideration were sportsmanship, community service, leadership and overall contribution to the growth of women’s basketball. To be considered, players had to have competed in the WNBA for at least two seasons, and fit at least four of seven criteria:

These women have been exemplary role models to women worldwide. They’ve not only shown that they can be fierce competitors on the hardwood, but they’ve also displayed that the same tenacity can be shown in every other field. These ladies are established business women, respected community leaders and so many other things. In an effort to give them the flowers they rightfully deserve, we put together a gallery of the W25. Get to know these extraordinary women below!

1. Seimone Augustus


Source:moneymone33

Teams: Minnesota Lynx (2006-2019); Los Angeles Sparks (2020)

League Titles: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017

League Awards: Finals MVP (2011), Rookie Of The Year (2006), 6x All-WNBA

All-Star Games: 2006-2007, 2011, 2013-2015, 2017, 2018 

2. Sue Bird


Source:sbird10

Teams: Seattle Storm (2002-2012, 2014-2018, 2020-2022)

League Titles: 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020

League Awards: Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2011, 2017, 2018), 8x All-WNBA

All-Star Games: 2002-2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011, 2014-2015, 2017, 2018, 2021

3. Swin Cash


Source:swincash

Teams: Detroit Shock (2002-2007), Seattle Storm (2008-2011), Chicago Sky (2012-2013), Atlanta Dream (2014), New York Liberty (2014-2016)

League Titles: 2003, 2006, 2010

League Awards: All-Star Game MVP (2009, 2011), Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2013), 2x All-WNBA 

All-Star Games: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 

4. Tamika Catchings


Source:catchin24

Teams: Indiana Fever (2002-2016; entire career)

League Titles: 2012

League Awards: MVP (2011), Finals MVP (2012), Rookie Of The Year (2002), Defensive Player Of The Year (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012), Kim Perrot Sportmanship Award (2010, 2013), 12x All-WNBA, 12x All-Defensive

All-Star Games: 2002-2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011

5. Tina Charles


Source:tina31charles

Teams: Connecticut Sun (2010–2013), New York Liberty (2014–2019), Washington Mystics (2021–)

League Titles:

League Awards: MVP (2012) Rookie Of The Year (2010), 9x All-WNBA, 4x All-Defensive

All-Star Games: 2011, 2013-2015, 2017-2019, 2021

6. Cynthia Cooper


Source:ccooper14

Teams: Houston Comets (1997-2000, 2003; entire career)

League Titles: 1997-2000

League Awards: MVP (1997, 1998), Finals MVP (1997-2000), 4x All-WNBA

All-Star Games: 1999, 2000, 2003 

7. Elena Delle Donne


Source:de11edonne

Teams: Chicago Sky (2013-2016), Washington Mystics (2017-2019, 2021-)

League Titles: 2019

League Awards: MVP (2015, 2019), Rookie Of The Year (2013), 5x All-WNBA

All-Star Games: 2013-2015, 2017-2019

8. Sylvia Fowles


Source:sylvia_fowles

Teams: Chicago Sky (2008-2014), Minnesota Lynx (2015-2022)

League Titles: 2015, 2017

League Awards: MVP (2017), Finals MVP (2015, 2017), Defensive Player Of The Year (2011, 2013, 2016), 6x All-WNBA, 9x All-Defensive 

All-Star Games:

9. Brittney Griner


Source:brittneyyevettegriner

Teams: Phoenix Mercury (2013-; entire career to date)

League Titles: 2014

League Awards: Defensive Player Of The Year (2014, 2015), 5x All-WNBA, 6x All-Defensive

All-Star Games: 2013-2015, 2017-2019, 2021

10. Becky Hammon


Source:officialbeckyhammon

Teams: New York Liberty (1999-2006), San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars (2007-2014)

League Titles:

League Awards: Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2014), 4x All-WNBA

All-Star Games: 2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011

11. Lauren Jackson


Source:laurenelizabethjackson

Teams: Seattle Storm (2001-2012; entire career)

League Titles: 2004, 2010

League Awards: MVP (2003, 2007, 2010) Finals MVP (2010), Defensive Player Of The Year (2007), 8x All-WNBA

All-Star Games: 2001-2003, 2005-2007, 2009

12. Lisa Leslie


Source:lisaleslie

Teams: Los Angeles Sparks (1997-2009; entire career)

League Titles: 2001, 2002

League Awards: MVP (2001, 2004, 2006), Finals MVP (2001, 2002), All-Star Game MVP (1999, 2001, 2002), Defensive Player Of The Year (2004, 2008), 12x All-WNBA

All-Star Games: 1999-2003, 2005-2006, 2009 

13. Nneka Ogwumike


Source:nnekaogwumike

Teams: Los Angeles Sparks (2012-; entire career to date) 

League Titles: 2016

League Awards: MVP (2016), Finals MVP (2016), Rookie Of The Year (2012), Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2019, 2020), 4x All-WNBA, 5x All-Defensive 

All-Star Games: 2013-2015, 2017-2019

14. Maya Moore


Source:mooremaya

Teams: Minnesota Lynx (2011-2018; entire career)

League Titles: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017

League Awards: MVP (2014), Finals MVP (2013), All-Star Game MVP (2015, 2017, 2018), Rookie Of The Year (2011), 7x All-WNBA, 2x All-Defensive

All-Star Games: 2011, 2013-2015, 2017, 2018 

15. Candace Parker


Source:candaceparker

Teams: Los Angeles Sparks (2008-2020), Chicago Sky (2021-)

League Titles: 2016

League Awards: MVP (2008, 2013), Defensive Player Of The Year (2020), All-Star Game MVP (2013), FInals MVP (2016), Rookie Of The Year (2008), 9x All-WNBA, 2x All-Defensive 

All-Star Games: 2011, 2013-2014, 2017-2018

16. Ticha Penicheiro


Source:tichapenicheiro

Teams:Sacramento Monarchs (1998-2009), Los Angeles Sparks (2010-2011), Chicago Sky (2012)

League Titles: 2005

League Awards: 3x All-WNBA, 1x All-Defensive 

All-Star Games:1999-2002

17. Cappie Pondexter


Source:cappa23

Teams: Phoenix Mercury (2006-2009), New York Liberty (2010-2014), Chicago Sky (2015-2017), Los Angeles Sparks (2018), Indiana Fever (2018)

League Titles: 2007, 2009

League Awards: Finals MVP (2007), 4x All-WNBA, 1x All-Defensive

All-Star Games: 2006-2007, 2009, 2011, 2013-2015

18. Katie Smith


Source:Getty

Teams: Minnesota Lynx (1999-2005), Detroit Shock (2005-2009), Washington Mystics (2010), Seattle Storm (2011-2012), New York Libety (2013) League Titles: 2006, 2008 League Awards: Finals MVP (2008), 4x All-WNBA All-Star Games: 2000-2003, 2005-2006, 2009

19. Breanna Stewart


Source:breannastewart30

Teams: Seattle Storm (2016-2022), New York Liberty (2023-) League Titles: 2018, 2020 League Awards: MVP (2018), Finals MVP (2018, 2020), Rookie Of The Year (2016), 3x All-WNBA, 2x All-Defensive All-Star Games: 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022

20. Sheryl Swoopes


Source:airswoopes22

Teams: Houston Comets (1997-2000, 2002-2007), Seattle Storm (2008), Tulsa Shock (2011) League Titles: 1997-2000 League Awards: MVP (2000, 2002, 2005), Defensive Player Of The Year (2000, 2002, 2003), All-Star Game MVP (2005), 7x All-WNBA, 2x All-Defensive All-Star Games: 1999, 2000, 2002-2003, 2005-2006

21. Diana Taurasi


Source:dianataurasi

Teams: Phoenix Mercury (2004-2014, 2016-; entire career to date) League Titles: 2007, 2009, 2014 League Awards: MVP (2009), Finals MVP (2009, 2014), Rookie Of The Year (2004), 14x All-WNBA All-Star Games: 2005-2007, 2009, 2011, 2013-2014, 2017-2018, 2021

22. Tina Thompson


Source:iamtinathompson

Teams: Houston Comets (1997-2008), Los Angeles Sparks (2009-2011), Seattle Storm (2012-2013) League Titles: 1997-2000 League Awards: All-Star Gane MVP (2000), 8x All-WNBA All-Star Games: 1999-2003, 2006, 2007, 2009

23. Lindsay Whalen


Source:lindsaywhalen

Teams: Connecticut Sun (2004-2009), Minnesota Lynx (2010-2018) League Titles: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 League Awards: 5x All-WNBA All-Star Games: 2006, 2011, 2013-2015

24. Angel McCoughtry


Source:mccoughtry

Teams: Atlanta Dream (2009-2018), Las Vegas Aces (2020-)

League Titles:

League Awards: Rookie Of The Year (2009), 5x All-WNBA, 8x All-Defensive

All-Star Games: 2011, 2013-2015, 2018

25. Yolanda Griffith

2021 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony

Source:Getty

Teams: Sacramento Monarchs (1999-2007), Seattle Storm (2008), Indiana Fever (2009)

League Titles: 2005 

League Awards: MVP (1999), Finals MVP (2005), Defensive Player Of The Year (1999), All-Star Game MVP (2004), 5x All-WNBA

All-Star Games: 1999-2001, 2003, 2005-2007