Sports

WNBA Player Rankings 2026: A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark Lead Top 30

Ahead of its 30th season, the WNBA's top 30 players have been ranked, featuring stars like A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark.

CBS Sports·May 7, 2026·via CBS Sports

WNBA Player Rankings 2026: A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark Lead Top 30

2026 WNBA Player Rankings: How A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, more stack up entering league's 30th season

As the WNBA's 30th season begins, we're ranking the top 30 players in the league right now

By Jack Maloney

May 7, 2026 at 12:45 pm ET • 17 min read

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A lot has changed in the WNBA over the last few months. There's a new collective bargaining agreement, which brought with it the first million-dollar salaries in league history, two new expansion teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo , officially entered the fray and dozens of players changed teams during the busiest and most expensive free agency period ever.

Now, finally, it's time for the league's 30th anniversary season to begin. Opening night is set for Friday, and from there it will be a five-month sprint to crown a champion. Can the Las Vegas Aces go back-to-back again and win their fourth title in five years, or will a challenger -- perhaps the New York Liberty , Indiana Fever or Atlanta Dream -- knock them off their spot?

That question will be decided by the players, and so before the action gets underway, it's time for our annual player rankings exercise. This year, for the league's 30th anniversary, we've expanded the list from 25 to 30.

Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson tops the list for the third year in a row, but that should be no surprise. She has clearly established herself as the best player in the world, and is coming off another historic campaign.

Who comes after Wilson is up for debate, and won't be spoiled here. Here are some hints, though: the New York Liberty, Atlanta Dream and Los Angeles Sparks lead the way with four players on the list, while the Aces, Indiana Fever, Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings all have three. Four teams, the Connecticut Sun , Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo and Seattle Storm were not represented.

No rookies made the cut, but there are 10 former No. 1 overall picks on the list and four former MVPs.

Without further ado, here are CBS Sports' top 30 players for the 2026 WNBA season.

30. Brionna Jones -- C, Dream

Jones, who made her fourth All-Star appearance last season and is one of the most consistent and efficient bigs in the league, would be higher on this list if she were healthy. However, she tore her meniscus while playing overseas in Prague in February, and it's unclear when she'll return to action. The Dream have not provided a timeline for her recovery but have made it clear that she will play this season. Once she gets back, it will be interesting to see how Jones fits next to Angel Reese in the Dream's new-look frontcourt as they look to compete for a title.

29. Arike Ogunbowale -- G, Wings

Ogunbowale was a mess last season, along with the entire Wings organization. She struggled to adjust to a lesser, and more off-ball role alongside 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers , could not buy a shot from behind the arc and missed 15 games due to injury. Despite her struggles, the Wings were not willing to give up on the four-time All-Star's talent, and brought her back in free agency despite plenty of questions about her future. This is now Bueckers' team, but Ogunbowale's shot creation and playmaking still make her a valuable player, especially if she's more comfortable with her role this season.

28. Sonia Citron -- G, Mystics

Citron, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, immediately shattered the high-floor, low-ceiling expectations for her career with a brilliant rookie season. She was an All-Star, the runner-up for Rookie of the Year behind Paige Bueckers, led the league in 3-point percentage and finished 18th in scoring. Her efficiency and the outside threat she provides are extremely valuable for a Mystics team that's still short on 3-point shooting, and she's already proven herself a capable defender. Citron is one of the primary reasons the Mystics have such a bright future.

27. Ariel Atkins -- G, Sparks

Atkins doesn't put up huge numbers or make highlight-reel plays, but while she may not be the most well-known player among casual fans, front offices and coaches love her because she's versatile on both sides of the ball and contributes to winning. For the second offseason in a row, a team traded a lottery pick to acquire her; this time, it was the Sparks, who sent Rickea Jackson to the Sky in exchange. Atkins, a former two-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive honoree, should be a perfect backcourt partner for Kelsey Plum , and will be a big part of the Sparks' playoff push.

26. Alanna Smith -- F, Wings

After a shaky start to her WNBA career, Smith found a home in Minnesota, where Cheryl Reeve helped her grow into one of the league's best defenders and most versatile bigs. Last season she finished third in blocks, was named co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. Her ability to protect the paint and knock down 3s made her a valuable target in free agency, and the Wings gave her a max deal to anchor their frontcourt. If all goes to plan in Dallas, Smith will help the Wings get back to the playoffs.

25. Veronica Burton -- G, Valkyries

Burton's first three seasons were so forgettable that the Wings didn't even protect her in the Valkyries ' expansion draft last offseason. That turned out to be a blessing for Golden State. Under the guidance of Natalie Nakase, who gave her the reins as the team's starting point guard, Burton had a career season. She was named Most Improved Player, earned All-Defensive Second Team honors and even received MVP votes. Burton still needs to become more efficient, especially at the rim and from behind the arc, but she's an elite defender and high-level playmaker who should only keep improving.

24. Kayla McBride -- G, Mystics

There may not be a less flashy player in the league than McBride, but the veteran shooting guard is as consistent and reliable as they come. An elite 3-point shooter and hard-working perimeter defender, she made her fifth All-Star appearance last season and will have to take on extra responsibility early this season while Napheesa Collier remains sidelined after double ankle surgery. McBride is only 27 3-pointers away from moving into fifth place on the all-time list and 108 from passing her former teammate Becky Hammon for fourth. McBride has hit at least 100 3s in each of the last two seasons, but her career-high is 105.

23. Dearica Hamby -- F, Sparks

The former two-time Sixth Woman of the Year has become a full-time starter in Los Angeles and is coming off the most efficient and highest-scoring season of her career. When the Sparks decided to go all-in this offseason to try and get back to the playoffs, they made Hamby a priority and gave her a three-year deal to ensure she remains part of their core long-term. Hamby's numbers are going to drop this season now that she's playing alongside Nneka Ogwumike , but the former MVP's arrival should only make her life easier on both ends.

22. Courtney Williams -- G, Lynx

Williams made her second All-Star appearance last season and took over Indianapolis alongside Natisha Hiedeman during their iconic 72-hour StudBudz stream. The Lynx, who lost six rotation players in the offseason, including Hiedeman, and will be without Napheesa Collier until at least June, will need another All-Star caliber campaign from Williams to remain competitive. She has the talent and confidence to make that happen, and won't have to handle as much playmaking responsibility this season after the team drafted Olivia Miles with the No. 2 pick.

21. Angel Reese -- F, Dream

Reese's 2025 season started and ended on horrible notes in Chicago, but some of the strides she made in between en route to an All-Star appearance were very encouraging. She was more efficient than her rookie season and more comfortable with the ball in her hands on the perimeter, and she'll have a chance to grow even more as an offensive player under Karl Smesko after the Dream acquired her in a blockbuster trade from the Sky. At the very least, Reese is the best rebounder in the league and a strong defender with a relentless motor.

20. Chelsea Gray -- G, Aces

The six-time All-Star and four-time champion is one of the best point guards in WNBA history, but she hasn't been the same player since breaking her foot in the 2023 Finals. She's less efficient, less consistent and more turnover prone, especially over the course of a 44-game regular season. But come playoff time, there are few players you'd rather have on your side, as she showed again last fall when she helped the Aces win their third title in four years. Gray's savvy, competitiveness and clutch shot-making still matter.

19. Gabby Williams -- F, Valkyries

After playing just 22 games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to injury and overseas commitments, Williams had a breakout campaign in 2025 for the Storm. She averaged career-highs in scoring, assists and steals, and led the league in the latter category en route to her first All-Star nod. Arguably the most versatile defender in the league thanks to her size and athleticism, she was not only a member of the All-Defensive First Team, but finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. She signed a max deal with the Valkyries in free agency, and will only strengthen their elite defense.

18. Skylar Diggins -- G, Sky

After two frustrating seasons in Seattle, Diggins decided to return to the Midwest, where she grew up and went to college, to play for the Sky. She was the franchise's headline addition during a busy offseason, and will be tasked with leading this new-look group, both on the court and in the locker room. Diggins, who made her seventh All-Star appearance last season, is entering her 12th season, but is still one of the top point guards and fiercest competitors around. In addition to providing scoring, playmaking and perimeter defense, she'll set a high standard for her new teammates.

17. Rhyne Howard -- G, Dream

Howard excelled last season under new Dream coach Karl Smesko, who gave her the ultimate green light to fire away from behind the arc – she led the league in 3-point attempts – and more opportunities as a playmaker. She also grew as a defender and made the All-Defensive Second Team for the first time in her career, along with her third All-Star appearance. Howard was a driving force behind the Dream's franchise-record 30 win season, and is talented enough to be a top-10 player in the league – but only if she can start making shots more consistently. Her efficiency needs to improve.

16. Satou Sabally -- F, Liberty

Sabally was traded to the Mercury last season and was an All-Star and the team's leading scorer in both the regular season and playoffs en route to the Finals, but suffered a devastating concussion in Game 3 of the championship series, which prematurely ended her campaign. That was an ironic blow considering she had been healthy all season and played more than 17 games for just the second time in her career. One of the most talented and versatile forwards in the league, the question with Sabally, who signed with the Liberty in a stunning free agency move, has always been health.

15. Kahleah Copper -- G, Mercury

Days before opening night last season, Copper had to undergo surgery on her left knee, which kept her out for the first month. Between that injury and the arrival of Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally , Copper never fully got on track. She didn't receive a single accolade for the first time since 2020, and averaged her fewest points since 2021. In the playoffs, though, she returned to her dynamic best as a slasher and scorer and helped lead the Mercury to the Finals. Now that Sabally is gone, Copper will step back into a bigger role and have a chance to remind everyone why she's a former All-WNBA performer.