Ranking the highest 25 WNBA gamers: Wilson is No. 1, however the place do Collier, Stewart, Clark land?

The 2025 WNBA season is right here, with preseason video games underway and the steady season set to tip May 16.

Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces have somewhat of a brand new appearance however stay assured of their core. Breanna Stewart is out to lend a hand the New York Liberty shield their championship. Napheesa Collier, who is coming off a stellar Unrivaled season, seeks to avenge the Minnesota Lynx‘s WNBA Finals defeat. And in her sophomore season, Caitlin Clark is taking a look to steer the Indiana Fever into identify rivalry.

All 4 headline ESPN’s preseason score of the highest 25 gamers within the WNBA.

The height 9 spots on our listing got here in combination briefly as consensus dominated. But the center of the pack were given tough. Offseason efficiency, comparable to how neatly gamers competed at Unrivaled, factored into the balloting. And freshmen weren’t eligible, despite the fact that they are able to smash into the listing as we proceed to replace it all the way through the season.

Here is a take a look at our preseason height 25, as made up our minds via ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Kevin Pelton, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel.

Center | 6-foot-4
2024 stats: 26.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.6 BPG

Wilson, 28, had one of the vital splendid particular person seasons in WNBA historical past. She received her 3rd MVP award with career-high averages in issues, rebounds, blocks and steals (1.8 consistent with recreation). Her scoring moderate was once the best possible for any season in league historical past, breaking the mark of 25.3 PPG set via Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi in 2006. For the 3rd consecutive season, Wilson shot higher than 50% from the sector and made each the All-WNBA and all-defensive first groups. — Michael Voepel

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Forward | 6-foot-1
2024 stats: 20.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.9 SPG

A exceptional 12 months noticed Collier, ranked 5th presently final yr, cement her standing as the highest challenger to Wilson for MVP. After averaging profession highs in rebounds, assists and blocks whilst incomes Defensive Player of the Year honors and an MVP runner-up end, Collier led the Lynx to their first Finals look since 2017. Arguably the most productive participant within the sequence, Collier scored the go-ahead basket within the past due phases of Game 5’s fourth quarter earlier than the New York Liberty pressured OT and received. Collier adopted that up via profitable MVP honors within the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league she co-founded. — Kevin Pelton

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Forward | 6-foot-4
2024 stats: 20.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.5 APG

After the All-Star smash, Stewart took her recreation up a notch, averaging over 22 issues and capturing 46% from 3-point vary. In the similar stretch, she ranked within the height 15 in each offensive and defensive ranking amongst WNBA gamers averaging a minimum of 25 mins consistent with recreation, and was once fourth in issues within the paint consistent with recreation at 10.9. All of that culminated in a Finals efficiency that helped lead the Liberty to their first identify after falling to the Aces within the 2023 Finals. Stewart capped her season with 3 consecutive double-doubles, serving to New York win its first identify in WNBA historical past. — Kendra Andrews

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Guard | 6-foot
2024 stats: 19.2 PPG, 8.4 APG, 5.7 RPG

Clark dazzled as a rookie, in particular in the second one part of the season, on her option to incomes first-team All-WNBA honors and completing fourth in MVP balloting. Now, with an actual offseason beneath her belt to paintings on her recreation and a few time to mentally recharge, she seems poised to have a memorable sophomore marketing campaign. With a brand new trainer and a few key unfastened company additions, Clark should regulate to enjoying in a brand new device and with new teammates, however spending all offseason coaching in Indianapolis with Fever trainer Stephanie White and her group of workers must lend a hand ease the transition. — Alexa Philippou

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Forward | 6-foot-2
2024 stats: 10.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 7.9 APG

For the primary time in her WNBA profession, Thomas won’t swimsuit up for the Connecticut Sun, getting a recent get started this season with the Phoenix Mercury. It shall be interesting to peer how Mercury trainer Nate Tibbetts makes use of a participant as uniquely flexible as Thomas — final season she completed No. 2 within the league in assists and No. 9 in rebounds. Because of shoulder problems, the majority of her photographs come within the paint. Earlier in camp, Tibbetts referred to as Thomas a “basketball wizard” for her basketball IQ and stated she is going to play level guard, energy ahead and middle for the Mercury. — Philippou

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Forward | 6-foot-6
2024 stats: 14.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.3 BPG

Jones’ moment yr with the Liberty was once simply what the franchise was once hoping for because it received its first WNBA identify. Jones was once WNBA Finals MVP after averaging 17.8 issues — capturing 56.1% — and 7.6 rebounds within the five-game sequence in opposition to Minnesota. She was once additionally at the All-WNBA and all-defensive moment groups final season. The chemistry between Jones and fellow publish megastar Breanna Stewart actually clicked of their moment season in combination. — Voepel

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Guard | 5-foot-11
2024 stats: 18.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.4 RPG

Ionescu put in combination an early MVP candidacy in the beginning of final season earlier than a leg damage ended in a decline in manufacturing. While she averaged a career-high 18.2 issues consistent with recreation, she completed the season capturing 39.4% from the sector and 33.3% on 3-pointers. Expect Ionescu to get again to the extent of potency she shot with two seasons in the past (42.3% and 44.8%) because the Liberty search to shield their identify. — Andrews

Which group must be favorites to win the 2025 WNBA identify? 🤔 @Andraya_Carter and @chiney stay up for the steady season ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/Tx6Ni8JIDN

— espnW (@espnW) May 6, 2025

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Forward | 6-foot-2
2024 stats: 16.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.3 APG

Ogwumike’s transfer to Seattle after 12 years with Los Angeles was once a large spice up to the Storm, who returned to the postseason after lacking it in 2023. Ogwumike has been a fashion of consistency since she entered the league because the No. 1 select in 2012. That persevered final season as her numbers had been just about similar to her profession averages. She made the All-WNBA and all-defensive moment groups and competed in her 9th All-Star Game. — Voepel

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Guard | 6-foot
2024 stats: 15.8 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.4 RPG

Young’s capturing numbers took a dip final season, hitting 33.7% from past the arc after capturing with reference to 45% in 2023. Her 2024 postseason averages dipped off her regular-season manufacturing: 13.8 issues, 5.8 forums and 3.0 assists over six playoff video games — because the Aces got here up brief of their quest to three-peat. — Andrews

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Guard | 5-foot-8
2024 stats: 17.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, 2.9 3-pointers consistent with recreation

Having performed her complete profession with the similar franchise, albeit cut up between a rebuilding technology in San Antonio and identify rivalry with the Aces, Plum embarks on a brand new technology after a sign-and-trade despatched her house to SoCal. One of a number of stars in Las Vegas, Plum would be the go-to participant for the Sparks, presenting a possibility to toughen at the 19 PPG she averaged with the Aces. But she’ll even be challenged to make use of her playmaking to lend a hand 2024 lottery selections Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson take the following steps of their building. — Pelton

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Guard/ahead | 6-foot-1
2024 stats: 21.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.3 APG

Copper had a career-best scoring moderate in her first season with the Mercury final yr and made the All-WNBA moment group. She competed in her fourth consecutive All-Star Game, this time as a part of Team USA, then performed within the Olympics for the primary time, profitable gold. With Diana Taurasi (retired) and Brittney Griner (unfastened agent transfer to Atlanta) long past, the Mercury have a brand new id this season, and Copper is a big a part of that. — Voepel

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Forward | 6-foot-4

2024 stats: 17.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.0 APG (15 video games)

Sabally wasn’t at her splendid in 2024, when a shoulder damage restricted her to 15 video games (all after the All-Star smash). But if she returns to the extent she performed at in 2023, when she earned her first All-WNBA first-team nod and lived as much as her “unicorn” moniker, she is going to catapult even upper in this listing. After Dallas drafted her No. 2 in 2020, this shall be Sabally’s first season with a brand new franchise, the place, along Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, she’ll have a starring function in a new-look Phoenix squad. — Philippou

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Guard | 5-foot-8
2024 stats:19.2 PPG, 40.2% 3FG, 1.8 APG

It’s no marvel that re-signing unfastened agent Mitchell was once Indiana’s No. 1 precedence within the offseason. After the franchise weathered a number of difficult seasons, Mitchell had a profession yr in 2024 and was once an enormous a part of the Fever’s go back to the playoffs for the primary time since 2016. Playing along Caitlin Clark helped open up issues much more for Mitchell, and with the remainder of the Fever’s unfastened company acquisitions, it will now be much more tough for opposing groups to key in on slowing her down within the backcourt. — Philippou

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Guard | 5-foot-8
2024 stats: 22.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.1 APG

Her 2024 scoring moderate was once the second one splendid of her profession. Her 2.7 SPG and her 92.1% unfastened throw capturing had been profession highs that led the WNBA final yr. Her assists moderate additionally was once a profession splendid and ranked 8th within the league. She was once MVP of the All-Star Game, plus made the All-WNBA moment group. However, the Wings completed moment to final at 9-31. No. 1 select Paige Bueckers brings extra lend a hand for Ogunbowale this season. — Voepel

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Guard | 5-foot-11
2024 stats: 5.0 PPG, 3.2 APG, 40.7% 3FG

McBride averaged extra issues all the way through her Las Vegas heyday, however 2024 was once probably the most impactful season of her WNBA profession. Ideally complementing Napheesa Collier’s within recreation, McBride had the most productive accuracy of the six gamers who made a minimum of 100 3-pointers final season. She boosted her scoring within the playoffs, averaging 17.8 PPG within the Finals, together with 21 issues within the deciding Game 5. McBride stayed sizzling in Unrivaled, score 3rd in scoring and becoming a member of Collier at the All-Unrivaled first group. — Pelton

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Guard | 5-foot-11
2024 stats: 8.6 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.3 SPG

If there’s something making Gray positive about her 2025 season, it is her well being. Last season was once riddled with accidents, and it ended in a drop in manufacturing. (She averaged a career-high 15.3 PPG and 7.3 assists in 2024.) But it additionally lit a hearth beneath Gray, which was once obvious in her efficiency at Unrivaled. Gray was once one of the vital splendid gamers within the 3-on-3 offseason league, averaging 22.3 issues, 4.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists consistent with recreation. She additionally shot 45.7% from the ground and 45.3% from 3 on her option to serving to the Rose win the identify and being named finals MVP. Her play at Unrivaled helped land her in this listing, and it is going to lend a hand propel the Aces if she will be able to raise it over into the WNBA. — Andrews

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Center | 6-foot-9
2024 stats: 17.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.5 BPG

After 11 seasons with Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2013, Griner moved to Atlanta as a unfastened agent. She now will group with some other new face for the Dream within the publish, Brionna Jones, for brand spanking new trainer Karl Smesko. Griner was once an All-Star and Olympian once more final season and stays one of the vital height true facilities within the league. We will see how her recreation adapts in a unique atmosphere. — Voepel

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Guard | 5-foot-9
2024 stats: 15.1 PPG, 6.4 APG, 1.7 SPG

Diggins’ seasonlong stats from 2024 do not inform the entire tale. After giving beginning to her moment kid and lacking all the 2023 marketing campaign, Diggins wasn’t at top efficiency all the way through the primary two months of final season. But following the Olympic smash, Diggins averaged 18.5 PPG and 6.3 APG, capturing 48% from the sector — identical manufacturing to her 3 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, all of which earned her All-WNBA honors. Diggins additionally earned All-Unrivaled first-team honors as a part of a Lunar Owls squad that had the league’s splendid list. — Pelton

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Guard | 5-foot-11
2024 stats: 19.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.6 APG

Another former franchise stalwart who left for a brand new group this offseason, Loyd’s arrival in Las Vegas is helping make up for the lack of Kelsey Plum, firmly holding the Aces within the championship rivalry dialog. In her ultimate season with the Seattle Storm, Loyd struggled with potency (capturing 27.4% from the 3-point arc) because the group fizzled after the Olympic smash. But a recent get started may lend a hand Loyd rediscover her shape, and with quite a few lend a hand round her in A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, Loyd would possibly not be requested to do it excited by the Aces. — Philippou

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Guard | 6-foot-2
2024 stats: 17.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.2 APG

This is usually a breakout marketing campaign for Howard, who received Rookie of the Year and has made two All-Star groups however has but to lend a hand the Dream previous the primary spherical of the playoffs. Howard’s price was once obvious via her absence final yr: Atlanta went 1-9 within the 10 video games Howard ignored main as much as the Olympic smash. She averaged 19.0 PPG after the Olympics because the Dream went 8-8 to succeed in the playoffs. Now, Atlanta has extra frontcourt skill with the additions of Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, elevating expectancies. — Pelton

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Forward/middle | 6-foot-5
2024 stats: 14.0 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.2 APG

Boston was once an All-Star for the second one yr in a row, and her stats had been very similar to her WNBA Rookie of the Year season in 2023 when she was once the league’s height select. She teamed with 2024 No. 1 select Caitlin Clark to lend a hand lead the Fever again to the playoffs for the primary time since 2016. That inside-outside pairing must be a key for Indiana this yr, too. — Voepel

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Forward | 6-foot-3
2024 stats: 17.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.7 SPG

A vibrant spot of the Sparks’ last-place season, Hamby had a profession yr in 2024, averaging profession highs in scoring, rebounding, assists (3.5 APG) and double-doubles (16) on her option to incomes her 3rd All-Star nod. Now in her 3rd season in L.A., Hamby can have extra lend a hand enjoying along Kelsey Plum, her shut pal and previous Aces teammate, because the Sparks appearance to go back to the playoffs for the primary time since 2020. — Philippou

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Guard | 6-foot
2024 stats: 15.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.7 APG

Gray may thrive beneath new trainer Karl Smesko and his heavy emphasis on 3-point capturing. Last season, she shot 34.2% from past the arc, and with confidently extra spacing and capturing threats with a wholesome roster along her, Gray will be capable to in finding more uncomplicated photographs. — Andrews

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Center | 6-foot-4
2024 stats: 11.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.2 BPG

Magbegor anchored a top-four protection, incomes All-Defensive first-team honors for the primary time after a couple of second-team nods and completing 3rd in Defensive Player of the Year balloting. With Jewell Loyd’s departure, the Storm will ask extra of Magbegor offensively. She averaged a career-high 13.8 PPG in 2023, making her All-Star debut, however took a smaller function within the Storm’s offense following the arriving of Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike. Magbegor bouncing again from 3-point vary shall be key to an All-Star go back. After capturing 38.5% past the arc in 2023, Magbegor shot a career-low 24.5% final season. — Pelton

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Forward | 6-foot-3
2024 stats: 13.6 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.9 APG

Despite her rookie season being lower brief via a wrist damage, Reese is coming off an All-Star season and tallied a record-breaking 15 consecutive double-doubles and grabbed a WNBA single-season list 446 rebounds in 2024. The knock on Reese’s recreation final season was once vary and her talent to complete on the rim. (She shot 39.1%.) She spent a excellent bite of her offseason operating on each with Lisa Leslie in Miami at Unrivaled, and the consequences must repay. — Andrews