24 Top WNBA Athletes Making Waves This Year
The 2026 WNBA season is officially here, and it feels like a completely different league. With expansion teams like the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo making their debut, the talent pool has never been deeper. Roster shakeups from the offseason have created new “superteams,” while the arrival of a highly-anticipated rookie class is shifting the power balance. Here’s who is making headlines as the 2026 season kicks off.
A’ja Wilson Signs on for More Titles
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After leading the Aces to their third title in four years, the four-time MVP officially re-signed with Las Vegas this April. She remains the league’s most unstoppable force, coming off a season where she averaged nearly 27 points and 3 blocks in the playoffs. With 90% of the Aces’ scoring power returning, Wilson is the centerpiece of a team looking to cement the greatest dynasty in WNBA history.
Napheesa Collier Sets the Defensive Standard
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The reigning Defensive Player of the Year continues to lead the Minnesota Lynx with her elite two-way play. Collier finished second in MVP voting last season and has become one of the most efficient players in the league. Her ability to impact the game without needing to dominate the ball makes her the ultimate teammate.
Breanna Stewart Aims for a New York Repeat
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After leading the New York Liberty to their first-ever franchise title in 2025, “Stewie” is back to defend the crown. Known for her late-game composure and versatile scoring, she remains the focal point of a Liberty team that has successfully kept its star-studded core together for the 2026 campaign.
Caitlin Clark Returns to Gainbridge Fieldhouse
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After an injury-riddled 2025 that limited her to just 13 games, Clark is back at full strength for her third season. To preserve her health, she’s shifting to a more “off-ball” role this year, allowing her to thrive in transition and catch her breath between her trademark logo threes. Fans are eager to see if this adjusted approach leads Indiana back to the postseason.
Alyssa Thomas Anchors the Phoenix Frontcourt
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Thomas has fully embraced her role with the Phoenix Mercury, serving as a triple-double threat every night. Her unique ability to facilitate the offense as a forward while locking down multiple positions on defense has helped Phoenix stay relevant during a significant transition period for the franchise.
Jonquel Jones Thrives When It Counts
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Jones earned WNBA Finals MVP with 17.8 points per game on 56% shooting, helping deliver New York’s first title. She re-established herself as a postseason force and worked seamlessly with Stewart in the frontcourt.
Sabrina Ionescu Is Recalibrating Her Efficiency
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The stats don’t tell the full story, though 18.2 points a night is nothing to scoff at. Ionescu came out hot last season, then cooled off after a leg injury. Since there’s more room to operate in New York’s galaxy of stars and her legs back under her, Sabrina’s got a comeback arc written all over her.
Nneka Ogwumike Brings Stability to Seattle
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After a long L.A. chapter, Ogwumike brought her savvy to Seattle and raised the bar right away. Her 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds reflect her consistency, but her impact extended to leadership and defense. She was named to the All-WNBA second team and played in her ninth All-Star Game last season.
Jackie Young Adjusts After a Title Run
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Though her shooting dipped, especially from beyond the arc, Young remained a key part of Las Vegas’s core. Yes, her scoring (15.8) and assists (5.3) still impress, but it’s her perimeter defense and adaptability that keep Las Vegas balanced. She’s the kind of player you trust in any system, any moment.
Kelsey Plum Becomes the Face of a New Team
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Plum with the Sparks enters a leadership role for the first time in her pro career. She averaged 17.8 points with the Aces in 2024 and led the league in made threes per game. The Sparks are younger, faster, and now have a veteran who knows how to win.
Kahleah Copper Leads the New-Look Mercury
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Copper has officially taken the reins in Phoenix as the primary scoring option. Coming off a career-high scoring average and an Olympic gold medal, she provides the veteran leadership and “bucket-getter” mentality required for a team integrating several new pieces into their rotation.
Satou Sabally Is Back to Prove a Point
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Last season felt like a teaser, only 15 games, but still 17.9 points, 6.4 boards, five assists. If she stays on the court, the Sabally-Thomas-Copper trio in Phoenix might be one of the toughest puzzles for defenses all season.
Kelsey Mitchell Finds Rhythm in Indiana’s Offense
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While the headlines followed Clark, Mitchell just kept drilling shots. She averaged 19.2 points and shot over 40% from deep, all while building serious chemistry with her new backcourt partner. Indiana knew exactly what it was doing when it made her re-signing the offseason priority.
Arike Ogunbowale Prepares for a Scoring Explosion
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Ogunbowale remains one of the most electric scorers in the WNBA. While she led the league in free-throw percentage and scoring for much of last year, the addition of top-tier talent in Dallas means she finally has the support needed to turn her high-volume scoring into consistent team wins.
Kayla McBride Steps Up in Big Moments
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McBride’s regular season numbers were modest, but her playoff production told a different story. She averaged 17.8 points in the Finals and was instrumental in pushing the series to five games. In Unrivaled play, she stayed hot, making the first team and proving her playoff heater wasn’t just a fluke.
Chelsea Gray Looks Ready Again
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After injuries sidelined her for much of last year, Gray came back in Unrivaled and announced her return, 22.3 points per game and Finals MVP honors. And since she’s back with the Aces, healthy and locked in, she’s ready to resume her role as the league’s best floor general.
Brittney Griner Begins a New Chapter in Atlanta
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After 11 seasons with Phoenix, Griner joins the Dream and pairs with Brionna Jones in the post. Her fit in Karl Smesko’s system will be something to watch. She averaged 17.8 points and 6.6 rebounds last year and remains one of the few true centers who can still shape a game inside.
Skylar Diggins Is Finding Late-Season Form
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Coming back from maternity leave, Diggins took her time ramping up. But post-Olympics, she looked like herself again. She was able to score 18.5 points, 6.3 assists, and a near-50% field goal clip. It’s safe to say that with Seattle, she’s in position to lead one of the league’s smartest, most dangerous backouts.
Jewell Loyd Joins a Contender
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The Aces didn’t waste time replacing Plum with Jewell Loyd, who dropped nearly 20 a night last season. With Wilson, Young, and Gray around, she won’t have to force shots, and that could be scary. If she regains her shooting touch, the Aces will stay in the title race.
Rhyne Howard Could Take the Next Leap
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Midseason injury slowed her down, but when Howard came back, Atlanta’s offense found rhythm. She averaged 19 down the stretch and helped guide the Dream into the playoffs. She’s freed up to focus, score, and ascend because Griner and Brionna Jones flank her.
Aliyah Boston Powers the Fever Interior
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Boston remains the most consistent post presence for Indiana. Her partnership with Caitlin Clark has evolved into one of the league’s most dangerous inside-out combinations. As they enter their second full season together, Boston’s efficiency and rebounding will be critical to the Fever’s postseason aspirations.
Dearica Hamby Makes Her Case With Production
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Last season, Hamby was one of the lone bright spots for L.A. She averaged 17.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and posted 16 double-doubles. She’s got a shot to turn that production into wins with Kelsey Plum joining her in L.A.
Angel Reese Joins a New Frontcourt in Atlanta
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Angel Reese brings rebounding instincts and physical play wherever she lands, and a move to Atlanta would shake up the frontcourt dynamic. She thrives on second-chance points and hustle plays that shift momentum. Pairing that energy with a new roster could open up fresh opportunities for her to expand her offensive game.
Rickea Jackson Looks to Build on Her Rookie Success
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Rickea Jackson showed flashes of scoring confidence during her rookie season, especially when given space to create her own shot. She has the tools to take on a bigger role this year, with smoother decision-making and stronger defensive reads. If that progression holds, she could become a consistent scoring option.