WNBA power rankings: The best player for every franchise
· Yahoo Sports
The Minnesota Lynx are at the top of the standings with a two-game lead after a win over the Seattle Storm on July 20.
The Golden State Valkyries, on the other hand, had their nine-game winning streak stopped by the Washington Mystics on Monday, and dropped from the top spot in USA TODAY Sports' WNBA power rankings. The Las Vegas Aces round out the top three, also two games back of the Lynx.
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With the 2026 WNBA All-Star break rapidly approaching amid the league's 30th anniversary season, we're feeling nostalgic. Let's take a look at each franchise's all-time best player in this week's USA TODAY Sports' WNBA power rankings, released every Tuesday this season:
1. Minnesota Lynx (21-6)
Previous rank: 2 (⬆1)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? F Maya Moore
Olivia Miles' journey at Minnesota started with a history lesson from Cheryl Reeve, the all-time winningest coach in WNBA history. Reeve showed off the four championship banners and five jerseys hanging from the rafters at Target Center, belonging to Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson and Lindsay Whalen.
"I'm here to be a sponge and to hopefully have a banner hung up one day," Miles, who leads all rookies in scoring (19.1 points) and assists (5.9 assists per game), told USA TODAY Sports on May. 12.
Miles is well on her way of winning Rookie of the Year, like Moore did in 2011. After a standout career at UConn, Moore played eight WNBA seasons before retiring at the age of 29 to pursue criminal justice reform, eventually exonerating her now-husband Jonathan Irons. Still, that was plenty of time for Moore to make her mark in the league, helping the Lynx win four championships. The 6-foot forward from Jefferson City, Missouri leads the franchise in career points per game (18.1) and total steals (451). Moore was a seven-time All-WNBA selection and six-time All-Star. She was also 2014 MVP and scoring champion. Moore finished in the top 10 of MVP voting in seven of her eight seasons.
2. Golden State Valkyries (19-8)
Previous rank: 1 (⬇1)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? G Veronica Burton
We know, it's early. But, for this exercise, every team has to have a GOAT. The Golden State Valkyries drafted Veronica Burton from the Connecticut Sun with the No. 3 overall pick of its expansion draft. Burton's selection has helped shape the Valkyries' identity across two seasons. Through 26 starts this season, Veronica Burton is averaging a career-high 11.9 points and a team-high 28.4 minutes per game. The Valkyries rank top five in the league in both offensive and defensive ranking, which fueled a nine-game win streak that included five wins on the road. Burton recorded a 11-point, 11-assist double-double in Valkyries' 74-69 win over the Washington Mystics on July 18.
3. Las Vegas Aces (18-7)
Previous rank: 3 (⬌)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? C A'ja Wilson
A'ja Wilson turned in arguably one of the greatest seasons in WNBA history last year, becoming the first WNBA or NBA player to win the scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in one season. She cemented a Las Vegas Aces dynasty with her third WNBA title in five years, made possible by Wilson's game-winning jumper with 0.9 left in Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals.
Wilson hasn't slowed down. The 6-foot-4 center leads the league in scoring (25.5 points per game) and blocks (2.0 per game), averaging 9.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 22 games. Wilson has recorded double-digit points in every game this season, including a 45-point performance against the Connecticut Sun on May 15. She's recorded a double-double in four consecutive games and earned her eighth All-Star nod.
"There's greatness in A'ja Wilson," All-Star general manager Teresa Weatherspoon said. "The desire to always be great every single night in the paint, she gets it done. The emotion she plays with. She has a midrange shot that she knocks down consistently, and she's also added deep … from behind the arc, she does it as well, but she brings her team along every single night. She demands greatness from her team."
4. Dallas Wings (17-9)
Previous rank: 4 (⬌)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? G Arike Ogunbowale
The Wings' win streak ended at six games after suffering a 99-98 overtime loss to the New York Liberty on July 20. Dallas had an opportunity to win late after Ogunbowale knocked down a 3-pointer with 27.5 remaining in overtime, something Ogunbowale has done consistently throughout her career. The Notre Dame product ranks first in franchise history in points (4,804) and field goals (1,622.) Ogunbowale has earned four All-Star nods.
5. Indiana Fever (16-10)
Previous rank: 6 (⬆1)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? F Tamika Catchings
Catchings, a 6-foot-1 forward from New Jersey, honed her skills at Tennessee under coach Pat Summitt. She was named Defensive Player of the Year five times and an All-Defense selection 12 times — more than any other player. Catchings led the WNBA in steals seven times and is the league’s all-time career leader with 1,074. On the offensive end, she’s sixth all-time in scoring and second all-time in free throws made. Catchings was the Rookie of the Year in 2002, MVP in 2011 and led the Fever to a championship in 2012. She finished in the top 10 of MVP voting 12 times and also owns four Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
6. Atlanta Dream (16-10)
Previous rank: 7 (⬆1)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? F Angel McCoughtry
McCoughtry put the Atlanta Dream on the map. The Baltimore native was the No. 1 overall pick out of Louisville in 2009 and won the Rookie of the Year before leading the Dream to three trips to the Finals. McCoughtry was a five-time All-Star, six-time All-WNBA selection, seven time All-Defense member, twice led the league in scoring and steals, and was named as one of the WNBA’s 25 Greatest Players of All-Time. No. 1 all-time in career usage percentage, she also owns a pair of Olympic gold medals.
7. New York Liberty (14-12)
Previous rank: 4 (⬇3)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? F Breanna Stewart
The New York Liberty made five WNBA Finals, but walked away empty handed each time. That changed in 2024 when Breanna Stewart led the Liberty to the franchise's first championship. Stewart signed with the Liberty in 2023 and scored 45 points in her debut, a signal of Stewart's bright future in New York. Stewart went on to win league MVP in 2023 and has been named an All-Star for six consecutive seasons.
Stewart, the 2026 WNBA Commissioner's Cup MVP, is leading the Liberty in points (20.6), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.3) in her tenth season in the league, while ranking second in rebounds (8.4). Stewart has scored double-digits in all but one game this season and her seven double-doubles ranks top 10 in the league.
But the Liberty have some major issues to work out if they want to win their second championship in three years. The Liberty had dropped four consecutive games, including six of their last seven before a 83-81 win over the Dallas Wings.
8. Washington Mystics (13-12)
Previous rank: 8 (⬌)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? F Elena Delle Donne
The 6-foot-5 unicorn talent from Delaware redefined the position with her guard skills, elite shooting touch and versatility. An Olympic gold medalist and two-time league MVP, Elena Delle Donne was the first WNBA player to achieve a 50-40-90 season. When she forced a trade from the Chicago Sky to the Washington Mystics in 2017, it set a new precedent for player empowerment in the WNBA. Two years later, she fueled the Mystics championship run while playing with herniated discs in her back. Delle Donne, who will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame this year, also battled Lyme disease throughout her career. She still holds the WNBA career record for free-throw percentage at 93.7%.
9. Portland Fire (11-15)
Previous rank: 11 (⬆2)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? G Carla Leite
Although the Fire's history has been brief, Carla Leite has emerged as Portland's brightest star in the franchise's inaugural season. Portland nabbed the French native from the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft earlier this year and she's leading the team in scoring (15.5) and assists (5.8). Leite has recorded three double-doubles and scored double-digits in all but two of the 24 games she's appeared in.
10. Toronto Tempo (10-16)
Previous rank: 10 (⬌)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? G Marina Mabrey
Mabrey earned the first All-Star nod in Toronto Tempo history, which also marked the first All-Star selection in her eighth season after unlocking another level in Toronto. The 6-foot-1 guard is averaging career highs in points (21.1) and field-goal percentage (45.5%) and her 81 made 3-pointers leads the league. Mabrey tied the single-game scoring record with 53 points, joining A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage.
11. Los Angeles Sparks (10-15)
Previous rank: 9 (⬇2)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? C Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie is, without question, one of the greatest WNBA players ever, so much so that the Los Angeles Sparks are honoring her with her owns statue outside of their home at Crypto.com. Leslie spent her entire 12-year career in Los Angeles, where she won two WNBA titles and Finals MVP honors. The 6-foot-5 USC product ranks sixth all-time in rebounding, third in blocks and first in career defensive rating. Leslie is one of four players to win at least three MVP awards and was twice named Defensive Player of the Year.
12. Chicago Sky (9-17)
Previous rank: 13 (⬆1)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? F Candance Parker
It could be argued Courtney Vandersloot should be here, but without hometown hero Candace Parker the Sky don't win their lone championship. Selected No. 1 overall in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, Parker won titles with the Sparks (2016), Sky (2021) and Las Vegas Aces (2023). She won two MVPs and was selected an All-Star seven times.
13. Phoenix Mercury (9-18)
Previous rank: 12 (⬇1)
Who's the franchise's all-time best player? G Diana Taurasi
Diana Taurasi spent a WNBA-record 20 seasons in purple and orange in Phoenix and is one of the greatest WNBA players to ever play the game. Nicknamed the White Mamba, Taurasi was known for her unmatched, relentless scoring ability and fierce competitive drive. The UConn product led the Mercury to three WNBA championships and became the WNBA all-time leading scorer with 10,646 career points, having averaged 22.1 points on 42% shooting across her decades-long career. Taurasi was 2009 WNBA MVP and was a first-team All-WNBA pick 10 times and All-Star 11 times.
14. Connecticut Sun (7-19)
Previous rank: 15 (⬆1)
Who is the franchise's all-time best player? F Alyssa Thomas
After opening the season 2-15, the Sun have won five of their last 10 games, including a 96-83 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Alyssa Thomas, who was traded to the Mercury in 2025, is the greatest Sun player of all-time.
Thomas spent the first 11 seasons of her career in Connecticut (2014-2024). Thomas is Connecticut's all-time franchise leader in points (3,889), minutes (9,754), field goals (1,503), rebounds (2,395), assists (1,462) and steals (494), while ranking second overall in points (3,892). Thomas led the Sun to the WNBA Finals twice (2019, 2022) and is the only player in Sun history to record a triple-double, which she did 11 times at Connecticut.
15. Seattle Storm (6-22)
Previous rank: 14 (⬇1)
Who is the franchise's all-time best player? G Sue Bird
Sue Bird spent the entirety of her 19-year WNBA career in Seattle and she easily lands on the Mount Rushmore of point guards. Bird is the league's all-time assists leader (3,234), averaging 5.6 assists and 2.4 turnovers across her career. She led the league in assists three times (2005, 2009, 2016). Her 13 All-Star selections and nine All-Star starts is second to none and her four WNBA championships (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020) is tied for the second most in WNBA history. Bird is the only player to win three championships in three different decades, highlighting not only her longevity, but her dominance.
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at [email protected] and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: WNBA power rankings: The best player for every franchise