WNBA player rankings: The top 50 players in the league

As we shut in on the break in the WNBA regular-season schedule for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, it is time once more for ESPN’s rating of the top 50 players in the league.

Our replace marks the third version this season, following our preseason and midseason lists. There are some massive variations involving accidents, with some players returning and coming into the rankings whereas others go away. And some have moved up or down primarily based on their roles evolving or adjustments in the personnel round them.

The top 50 is not a measurement of profession achievements; we rank a players’ standing proper now in the 2026 season. For some, there may be nonetheless quite a bit to look ahead to as the eight playoff groups have been determined. For others, the subsequent month is about making the most of the regular-season video games left and searching ahead to subsequent 12 months.

(All stats are via Tuesday’s video games.)

Center | 6-foot-4
July rank: 1
2026 stats: 26.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG

Wilson leads the WNBA in scoring and blocks, and ranks third in rebounding. She can be first in win shares at 7.7 and player effectivity score (PER) at 31.8. Statistically, she has performed all the pieces wanted to be on observe to win her fifth MVP award. The defending champion Aces aren’t the top staff in the league proper now, however Wilson remains to be the top player. — Michael Voepel

Guard | 6-foot
July rank: 3
2026 stats: 22.1 PPG, 8.3 APG, 3.8 RPG

Clark ranks No. 3 in the league in factors per recreation, No. 1 in assists (tied with Alyssa Thomas) and her gravity has helped Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston have profession seasons. The streak ended over the weekend, however Clark just lately tied her personal WNBA document with six consecutive video games of 20-plus factors and five-plus assists. She additionally set a profession excessive with eight 3-pointers in a recreation final week, shifting previous Diana Taurasi into second place in WNBA historical past for many profession 3-point area objectives throughout a player’s first three seasons. — Kareem Copeland

Forward | 6-foot-4
July rank: 5
2026 stats: 20.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG

The Liberty have underachieved as an entire this season, however not from an absence of excellence from Stewart, who might end top-five in MVP voting. The three-time WNBA champion continues to do all of it for New York, averaging her highest factors per recreation since her final MVP season and rating fifth in the league in scoring. Though her 3-point shot continues to be inconsistent, Stewart has been elite at getting inside the lane (a career-high 56% of her factors come from the paint) and to the free throw line (27.8%). — Alexa Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-10
July rank: 6
2026 stats: 19.7 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.6 RPG

The No. 2 draft choose continues to get higher as the season progresses regardless of an already improbable begin. She ranks No. 8 in the league in factors per recreation and No. 7 in assists whereas taking pictures 49.5% from the area and 39.7% from 3-point vary. She has scored the fifth-most factors by a rookie in league historical past and has 17 20-point video games this season for the No. 1 staff in the league. — Copeland

Guard | 6-foot
July rank: 4
2026 stats: 20.6 PPG, 5.9 APG, 39.8% 3FG

Bueckers has come into her personal as one in every of the greatest guards in the league this season. Her numbers have dipped a contact since getting back from the All-Star break, however she had a pair of standout performances just lately with 32 factors in three quarters on Sunday versus Seattle and a 22-point, 11-assist double-double Tuesday in opposition to Portland. With fellow No. 1 choose Azzi Fudd out for the season, much more will relaxation on Bueckers’ shoulders as Dallas seems to place the ending touches on its greatest common season because it prepares for its first playoff look since 2023. — Philippou

Guard | 6-foot
July rank: 9
2026 stats: 18.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.6 APG

The Aces have misplaced solely three video games when Young has scored 20 or extra factors. When she has scored fewer than 20, they’ve misplaced 9 video games. And in the 26-13 Aces’ different loss, Young rested and did not play. That provides you a good suggestion how essential she is to Las Vegas’ success. Her averages for scoring and assists are profession highs, and her rebounding common ties her profession greatest. — Voepel

Forward | 6-foot-1
July rank: Not ranked (injured)
2026 stats: 18.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 50.7% FG

Collier is coming off main surgical procedures on each ankles, however you would not comprehend it; she has been completely dominant in the 11 video games since making her season debut on July 22. She has been environment friendly, taking pictures higher than 50% from the area and 47% from 3, the fifth-best taking pictures mark since her return amongst players who’ve tried 35 treys in that span. The scariest half? Collier advised ESPN she nonetheless is not at 100% and has one other degree to get to earlier than the postseason. — Kendra Andrews

Guard | 5-foot-8
July rank: 11
2026 stats: 24.9 PPG, 2.8 APG, 51.0% FG

Mitchell has grabbed the mantle for the greatest scoring guard in the league this season as nobody has been capable of keep in entrance of her. Her 23 consecutive video games of 20-plus factors broke Wilson’s document for the longest streak in WNBA historical past. Not solely is Mitchell practically unattainable to maintain from attending to the basket, however her 45.5 3-point proportion is the highest amongst the top 50 scorers in the league. — Copeland

Guard | 6-foot
July rank: 7
2026 stats: 19.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG

Gray’s profession season continues. She’s taking pictures 46.1% from the area, her third-most environment friendly season. The All-Star can be making an attempt over yet another shot per recreation than ever earlier than. — Andrews

Forward/middle | 6-foot-5
July rank: 15
2026 stats: 17.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.0 APG

Often missed due to her flashier teammates in Clark and Mitchell, Boston is the regular, constant basis for the Fever and the anchor of the protection. Her factors per recreation are a profession excessive and he or she has grow to be a reliable 3-point risk, taking pictures 41.7%. The four-time All-Star ranks No. 4 in the league in effectivity (22.3). — Copeland

Forward | 6-foot-1
July rank: 10
2026 stats: 14.8 PPG, 8.3 APG, 7.7 RPG

Thomas’ two-way recreation stays one in every of the most elite in the WNBA. She’s tied with Caitlin Clark for first in the league in assists, and in addition averages 7.7 rebounds — 6.0 of which come on the defensive finish — and 1.4 steals. Both of these rank in the top 10 amongst forwards. — Andrews

Guard | 6-foot-2
July rank: 8
2026 stats: 18.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 SPG

Already one in every of the sharpest shooters in the league, Howard is averaging profession highs each from the area (41.2%) and from the 3-point line (36.7%). But her enchancment on protection has turned her right into a two-way risk. She has practically doubled her earlier profession excessive in steals, whereas additionally tallying practically one block per recreation. — Andrews

Guard | 5-foot-8
July rank: 2
2026 stats: 21.5 PPG, 5.4 APG, 51.9 FG%

Plum is the hardest player to rank. She had a superb first 12 video games of the season for Los Angeles, averaging 23.9 factors and 6.4 assists. But she was sidelined six weeks by a leg harm after which traded to Phoenix on Aug. 2. She performed 4 video games with the Mercury, sat out three (leg) after which returned once more Tuesday. She has averaged 15.8 factors and a pair of.8 assists in 5 video games with Phoenix. When wholesome, Plum is a top-10 player. But well being has been her greatest problem in 2026. — Voepel

Forward | 6-foot-3
July rank: 13
2026 stats: 16.1 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG

The top rebounder in the league, Reese is one in every of solely two players averaging a double-double this season. She made historical past on Aug. 20 as the first player in WNBA historical past to have a recreation with no less than 20 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and three steals with out lacking a shot from the area (9-of-9). Then Reese broke two data Tuesday in Atlanta’s win over Los Angeles: a WNBA single-game document 26 rebounds, which gave her 458 rebounds on the season, seven greater than A’ja Wilson’s single-season mark set in 2024. — Andrews

Center | 6-foot-5
July rank: 29
2026 stats: 16.9 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.4 BPG

Austin is firmly in the dialogue for the Most Improved Player award, placing up profession numbers throughout the board. The Mystics put their religion in her with a three-year, $3.57 million deal this previous offseason, and he or she has rewarded them with 17 double-doubles and rating fifteenth in scoring, third (with A’ja Wilson) in rebounds and ninth (with Breanna Stewart) in blocks. Austin has been capable of showcase a flexible offensive recreation, including 3-point vary (34.7%) whereas making an argument for all-defensive consideration as properly. She posted a career-high 31 factors final week for the first 30-point, 10-rebound recreation of her profession. — Copeland

Forward | 6-foot-4
July rank: 17
2026 stats: 14.4 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 5.0 APG

Shepard has been a revelation for the Wings, having fun with a profession season and sporting 21 double-doubles (second in the league), to not point out a league-best 4 triple-doubles. August was a bit up and down, although it did not assist she sat out a while due to an ankle harm. Nevertheless, her offensive manufacturing — together with her facilitating prowess — will likely be essential for Dallas to complete the common season sturdy. — Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-11
July rank: 22
2026 stats: 12.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.8 APG

Gray, who turns 34 in October, remains to be going sturdy. She leads the Aces in minutes per recreation (33.0) and has appeared in each recreation however one. Her present assists common is the second better of her profession, as is her free throw proportion (93.3%). Though Gray’s playmaking stays her most deadly weapon, she additionally nonetheless can hit dagger photographs to win video games. — Voepel

Center | 6-foot-6
July rank: 16
2026 stats: 14.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.1 BPG

An assertive Jones — the MVP of New York’s 2024 WNBA title run — traditionally bodes properly for the Liberty: Last outing, Saturday in opposition to the Fever, the 6-foot-6 middle set the tone for New York on each ends with 17 factors and 7 rebounds in 15 first-half minutes, a very welcomed sight after she exited the first quarter of the earlier recreation due to a tweaked ankle. She has 16 double-doubles on the season, rating sixth in the league, and continues to be a matchup nightmare along with her 38.5% 3-point taking pictures. — Philippou

Guard | 6-foot-1
July rank: 18
2026 stats: 16.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.3 APG

There has been no sophomore droop for the two-time All-Star that has developed into one in every of the top perimeter defenders in the league. Unselfish nearly to a fault, Citron has bumped up her scoring and assists in Year 2 and has been the tip of the spear on a defensive unit that ranks No. 2 in scoring protection and defensive score. She is one in every of solely two players in the league to common 16.0-plus factors, 4.0-plus assists, 1.0-plus steals per and fewer than 3.0 turnovers per recreation. — Copeland

Guard | 5-foot-11
July rank: 23
2026 stats: 18.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.1 APG

McBride is in the dialog for her first all-WNBA choice with career-high averages in factors and FG% (46.6). She’s the No. 11 scorer in the WNBA this season. The five-time All-Star’s 2.9 3-point area objectives is No. 4 in the league and a 41.9% 3-point taking pictures ranks in the top 5 amongst these averaging greater than two 3-point area objectives per recreation. McBride scored a career-high 43 factors on Aug. 9 and set the single-game WNBA document with 10 3-point area objectives. — Copeland

Forward | 5-foot-11
July rank: 26
2026 stats: 14.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.7 SPG

Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase described Williams’ defensive talents as “cat-like,” in the means she strikes swiftly and exactly to swipe and deflect the ball from opponents. Williams ranks seventh in the league in steals, fourth in defensive win shares per 40 minutes and fourth in particular person player defensive score. Improved offense has taken Williams’ recreation to the subsequent degree this 12 months: her factors common is profession and staff excessive. — Andrews

Guard | 6-foot-1
July rank: 12
2026 stats: 20.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.9 APG

Copper is in the midst of one in every of the greatest scoring seasons of her profession — simply 0.2 from matching her profession excessive. Even after Phoenix acquired Kelsey Plum at the commerce deadline, and regardless of the Mercury being eradicated from playoff rivalry, Copper’s effectivity and influence have remained excessive. — Andrews

Guard | 6-foot
July rank: Not ranked
2026 stats: 15.9 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.0 RPG

Ionescu had a troublesome begin to the 12 months when accidents sidelined her for all however one recreation the first month of the season. Even as soon as she returned, she advised ESPN just lately, she was nonetheless in ache and attempting to determine how she match into New York’s new system. She discovered extra of a groove all through July however is in a little bit of a taking pictures droop as of late, hitting 20% or fewer of her 3-pointers in six consecutive video games. For the Liberty to make a deep postseason run after such a rocky common season, they will want a productive Ionescu. — Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-8
July rank: 14
2026 stats: 14.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.3 APG

Williams did not actually fall in the rankings since midseason as a lot as another players individually surged previous her. But from a staff perspective, Williams is doing what the Lynx want. She hasn’t scored at fairly the identical tempo in July and August as she did in May and June. But she has had some massive scoring video games — comparable to 27 factors in a win over Indiana on Aug. 2 — together with being second on the Lynx in assists and third in rebounds. Her worth additionally confirmed in how the Lynx struggled to attain in a loss to Golden State when she was out Aug. 24 due to a foot harm. It was the first recreation she had sat out in three seasons with Minnesota. — Voepel

Forward | 6-foot-2
July rank: 20
2026 stats: 16.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.9 APG

Ogwumike introduced on Aug. 19 she’s going to retire from the WNBA at season’s finish, so there may be simply a short while left to look at her play as the Sparks have been eradicated from the playoffs. But we have seen 15 seasons of excellence from the 2012 No. 1 choose. She is ending her profession nonetheless enjoying at an All-Star degree at age 36, main the Sparks in scoring and rebounding. — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-11
July rank: 21
2026 stats: 20.8 PPG, 3.7 APG, 38.5% 3FG

Mabrey has been a vibrant spot for a staff ravaged by accidents that just lately ended a 12-game shedding streak. With the guard averaging a profession greatest in scoring (tied for fifth most in the league), she earned her first All-Star nod and inserted her identify into the Most Improved Player dialog. But the harm bug received to her too, and Mabrey will likely be out for no less than just a few weeks due to an adductor harm, with Tempo coach Sandy Brondello saying it is potential she will not return this season. — Philippou

Forward | 6-foot-2
July rank: 24
2026 stats: 15.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 59.0% FG

Howard continues to have one in every of the greatest seasons of her profession on each ends of the courtroom, and earned her first All-Star choice since 2022. Her rebounding common is the second highest of her profession and ranks No. 13 in the league. Howard is in the Defensive Player of the Year dialog, rating fifth in steals (1.7) and defensive win shares (2.5) as she’s the top put up defender on a top-three protection. — Copeland

Forward | 6-foot-3
July rank: 25
2026 stats: 15.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 50.6% FG

Iriafen is the third player in league historical past to put up no less than 20 point-rebound double-doubles earlier than her twenty third birthday, becoming a member of Tina Charles and Lauren Jackson. The two-time All-Star ranks No. 21 in factors per recreation, No. 5 in rebounds per recreation and is 0.7 rebounds shy of being the third player in the league to common a double-double. Her 50.6% area aim taking pictures ranks No. 4 amongst the top 22 scorers in the league. — Copeland

Guard | 5-foot-9
July rank: 35
2026 stats: 12.5 PPG, 5.6 APG. 3.5 RPG

Burton is averaging nearly one level greater than she did in her breakout season (2025), and doing it on career-best taking pictures: 43.1% general and 37.0% from 3, all whereas taking 0.6 extra photographs per recreation (9.4 area aim makes an attempt per recreation). — Andrews

Center | 6-foot-6
July rank: 39
2026 stats: 17.0 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.5 BPG

Malonga, the No. 2 choose in the 2025 draft, was an All-Star in July and has been one in every of the vibrant spots in a difficult season for the Storm. The 20-year-old is a large a part of their future, having made massive strides from her rookie season. Despite sitting out eight video games between May 20-June 3 due to concussion protocol, Malonga has grow to be the Storm’s chief in factors, rebounds and blocks, and is a contender for Most Improved Player. — Voepel

Forward | 6-foot-3
July rank: 31
2026 stats: 15.8 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 6.3 APG

Leite was the No. 9 choose by Dallas in the 2024 draft however did not play in the WNBA that season. She went to Golden State in the 2025 growth draft, then to Portland in the 2026 growth draft. She has been the Fire’s greatest player this season, main Portland in scoring and assists. The 22-year-old from France is one other contender for Most Improved Player. — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-8
July rank: 28
2026 stats: 15.2 PPG, 3.2 APG, 1.0 SPG

If the Wings wish to make some noise in the playoffs, particularly now that Fudd is out, it might assist to have a productive, hot-shooting Ogunbowale. Take, for example, her 25-point second half that helped the Wings take down the Fever at house final week. Her effectivity has improved over the course of the season (46.6% put up All-Star versus 36.9% earlier than), although she is taking pictures simply 26.0% on 3s in August. — Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-6
July rank: 36
2026 stats: 11.5 PPG, 7.4 APG, 3.8 RPG

Canada ranks No. 2 in the league with 2.0 steals per recreation and is one in every of the top defensive level guards with two all-defensive staff choices on her résumé. She has an opportunity to guide the league in steals per recreation for the third time in her profession. The two-time champion’s assists rank No. 3 and he or she’s taking pictures a career-high 43.1% from the area. Canada’s 3-point taking pictures has even ticked as much as the second highest of her profession (29.2). — Copeland

Forward | 6-foot-3
July rank: 33
2026 stats: 14.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.5 APG

In her twelfth WNBA season and fourth with the Sparks, Hamby has been a reliable and sturdy player. If she finishes at 55% from the area, it will likely be the second-highest taking pictures proportion of her profession, following final season’s 57.2%. Hamby is signed with the Sparks for the subsequent two years, so her veteran presence ought to be essential as the franchise rebuilds following Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement at the finish of this season. — Voepel

Forward | 6-foot-2
July rank: 37
2026 stats: 13.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG. 1.3 APG

Salaun is making an attempt practically two extra 3-pointers per recreation than she did final 12 months, along with her 6.2 makes an attempt in the top 10 in the WNBA. Her sharpshooting has grow to be a vital key to the Valkyries’ offense: She shoots a team-best 39% from 3 amongst players making an attempt a couple of trey a recreation, and is second on the staff in scoring. — Andrews

Guard | 5-foot-8
July rank: 44
2026 stats: 15.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.8 APG

After being a reserve the previous two seasons in Minnesota, Hiedeman moved to a beginning function in Seattle and is averaging profession highs in factors, rebounds and assists. She has been coping with a shoulder harm late in August, and the Storm have the league’s worst document. But Hiedeman could possibly be a veteran a part of an improved staff subsequent 12 months with all of Seattle’s younger expertise. — Voepel

Center | 6-foot-7
July rank: 40
2026 stats: 14.9 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.5 BPG

Cardoso’s upward trajectory has continued with career-high averages in factors, rebounds, blocks, area aim proportion and free throw proportion. The blocks rank No. 4 in the league and the rebounds No. 8. She ranks No. 14 in effectivity and her play is the greatest indicator of the Sky’s success. Cardoso set a league document for the most area objectives (13) with no miss as she scored a career-high 30 factors in late June. — Copeland

Forward | 6-foot-4
July rank: Not ranked (injured)
2026 stats: 10.7 PPG, 1.2 SPG, 44.6% 3FG

New York sorely missed Fiebich throughout her seven weeks sidelined by a foot harm. She confirmed in her return Saturday precisely the kind of influence she will be able to have, ending with 20 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and slowing down Caitlin Clark down (5 factors on 2-for-7 taking pictures) when she was the Indiana guard’s major defender. It appears as if any kind of deep playoff run for the Liberty would necessitate Fiebich’s availability; they’re 11-4 when she performs and 12-11 with out her. — Philippou

Forward | 6-foot-4
July rank: 32
2026 stats: 11.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 63.8 FG%

With guard Chennedy Carter departing after solely 13 video games, the Aces wanted one other dependable double-digit scorer. Smith has supplied that. She has constructed on final season, when she averaged 8.2 factors and 5.3 rebounds in 27 video games for Las Vegas after being traded from Dallas on June 30, 2025. The concern now, although, is that Smith was injured Sunday and her standing going ahead is unknown. — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-9
July rank: Not ranked
2026 stats: 13.8 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.8 APG

The undrafted guard could be in the Rookie of the Year dialog if Olivia Miles wasn’t the far-and-away chief for the award. Among rookies, Taylor trails solely Miles in factors per recreation regardless of being No. 12 in minutes per recreation. Taylor has developed into the top isolation player on the Sky roster and has grow to be adept at late-game conditions, together with successful photographs in opposition to the Valkyries and Aces. — Copeland

Forward | 6-foot-2
July rank: 48
2026 stats: 14.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.1 APG

After seven seasons in Minnesota, Carleton was the No. 1 choose in the growth draft by Portland. Though that saved the native Canadian from going to the different 2026 growth staff in Toronto, Carleton has made the most of her time with the Fire. She ranks second on the staff in scoring and rebounding, plus is Portland’s top 3-point shooter with a career-high 102 (2.8 per recreation). — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-11
July rank: 38
2026 stats: 9.3 PPG, 3.4 APG, 54.9 FG%

Even with Ionescu again in the lineup for the Liberty, Astier continues to be one in every of the extra impactful rookies in the league this season, showcasing poise with some well timed performs in New York’s massive win over the Fever on Saturday. She notably shines along with her skill to get downhill — about 63% of her factors come from the paint — and is taking pictures an environment friendly 60.5% from inside the 3-point arc. — Philippou

43. Rae Burrell, Los Angeles Sparks

Guard | 6-foot-2
July rank: Not ranked
2026 stats: 14.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.5 APG

Burrell is one in every of a number of contenders for Most Improved Player. The No. 9 choose in 2022, Burrell has spent her profession with the Sparks and is having her greatest season. She is averaging 10-plus minutes extra per recreation than in any earlier season, and for the first time is averaging double-figure scoring. Burrell is a restricted free agent in 2027, so we are going to see if she stays with the Sparks in their rebuilding course of. — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-10
July rank: 41
2026 stats: 9.0 PPG, 2.5 APG, 39.3% 3FG

Johannes had a robust begin to the season — in May she averaged 11.9 factors and shot 43.3% from the 3-point arc — although she has since been extra up and down. Still, that is one in every of the greatest seasons of her profession, and when she is hitting her photographs — the means she did earlier this month when she made seven 3s in the Liberty’s 40-point win over the shorthanded Aces — there aren’t many players who’re extra enjoyable to look at. — Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-11
July rank: Not ranked
2026 stats: 11.6 PPG, 4.6 APG, 1.7 SPG

Lacan is not the flashiest player, however along with her playmaking and two-way play, it is arduous to overstate how a lot she impacts issues on the courtroom — and it isn’t a coincidence that every one however one in every of the Sun’s wins this season got here as soon as she arrived from her abroad commitments. Lacan, who leads the Sun in MPG (28.4), may also be gone these subsequent 4 video games for Connecticut as she prepares with the French nationwide staff for the World Cup. — Philippou

(*50*)

Forward | 6-foot-5
July rank: Not ranked
2026 stats: 12.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.9 BPG

In the greatest function of her younger profession, Sabally has been productive for the Tempo when on the courtroom; her 12.3 factors per recreation are over twice her earlier greatest scoring common. Her availability is the situation — because it typically has been throughout her profession — as she has appeared in 24 of Toronto’s 37 video games. Sabally was coming off a 12-point, 12-rebound, four-steal and three-assist efficiency in opposition to Atlanta when she sustained a calf harm in opposition to Dallas earlier this month, and has now been dominated out for just a few weeks. — Philippou

Guard | 5-foot-10
July rank: Not ranked
2026 stats: 11.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.5 RPG

A late addition to the roster, Cloud has been one in every of the most precious players in Chicago each due to her play and veteran management for an injury-laden group. She stays one in every of the greatest defenders in the league and helped regular issues after Chicago misplaced Rickea Jackson and Skylar Diggins to harm. Her taking pictures percentages are amongst the greatest criticisms of the three-time all-defensive choice, Cloud has posted a profession excessive from the area (48.3%) and her second-best 3-point proportion (35.2%). — Copeland

Forward | 6-foot-2
July rank: 47
2026 stats: 9.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG

Hillmon has navigated accidents (shoulder and hamstring) for the first time in her professional profession, so there was a little bit of a drop in manufacturing. But the reigning Sixth Player of the Year additionally believes she’s enjoying with extra decisiveness. After engaged on her shot with coach Karl Smesko final season, she’s considering much less about what she’s alleged to be doing on the courtroom, which has allowed it to come back naturally. — Andrews

49. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo

Guard | 5-foot-11
July rank: 46
2026 stats: 12.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.0 APG

Rice, the No. 6 choose in April’s draft, had a robust begin with the growth Tempo. But an ankle sprain on June 3 sidelined her after 10 video games. She returned July 28 and has performed each recreation since. Rice has hit her season excessive of 19 factors 4 occasions and has had no less than 5 assists in 5 video games. She ought to be an essential a part of the Tempo as the franchise grows. — Voepel

Guard | 5-foot-10
July rank: 49
2026 stats: 13.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.9 APG

The No. 8 choose in the draft this 12 months, Johnson has had a stable rookie season, beginning each recreation in which she has performed. She is the Storm’s third-highest scorer and leads them in steals (1.4 per recreation). Two issues she will likely be engaged on for the 2027 season are her general (39.2%) and 3-point (28.3%) taking pictures. — Voepel