Recognizing the 30 greatest basketball players of all time is paying tribute to the female legends who not only dominated the sport, but also shaped its course over the decades.
These exceptional women have left a lasting legacy with their extraordinary achievements, exemplary leadership and transformative impact on and off the court.
So how about taking a look at these remarkable players? Here, we highlight not only their sporting achievements, but also their inspiring trajectories and contributions to the advancement of women’s basketball around the world.
From the pioneering spirit of players like Cheryl Miller and Nancy Lieberman, to the contemporary dominance of stars like Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart, each of these athletes has left their mark on the history of the sport. It’s no coincidence, then, that they make the list of the 30 greatest basketball players of all time.
They inspire future generations of women athletes, motivating them to pursue their dreams with passion and dedication. Their achievements on the court and their impact off it reaffirm the vital role of women in the world of basketball and on the global sports scene.
So let’s take a look at the list of the 30 greatest basketball players of all time?
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See who the 30 greatest basketball players of all time are
1. Lisa Leslie
- Titles: Two-time Olympic champion, three-time WNBA champion.
- Team: Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA).
- Fun fact: First WNBA player to dunk in a game.
- Life story: Born in 1972 in California, she was one of the pioneers in popularizing women’s basketball.
2. Diana Taurasi
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, three-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Phoenix Mercury (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Holds the record for the most points in WNBA history.
- Life story: Born in 1982 in California, she is known for her shooting ability and leadership on the court.
3. Tamika Catchings
- Titles: One-time WNBA champion, four-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Indiana Fever (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Leader in steals in WNBA history.
- Life story: Born in 1979 in New York, she overcame personal challenges to become one of the great stars of women’s basketball.
4. Cheryl Miller
- Titles: Olympic champion.
- Team: USC Trojans (university).
- Fun fact: Older sister of famous basketball player Reggie Miller.
- Life story: Born in 1964 in California, she is considered one of the best college players of all time.
5. Sue Bird
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, four-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Seattle Storm (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Player with the most assists in WNBA history.
- Life story: Born in 1980 in New York, she is one of the most respected and skilled players in the WNBA.
6. Sheryl Swoopes
- Titles: Three-time WNBA champion, four-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Houston Comets (WNBA).
- Fun fact: First player to sign a WNBA contract.
- Life story: Born in 1971 in Texas, she is known for her exceptional offensive and defensive skills.
7. Cynthia Cooper
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Houston Comets (WNBA).
- Fun fact: He was WNBA MVP in his first two seasons in the league.
- Life story: Born in 1963 in California, he had a remarkable career in the WNBA after playing professionally in Europe.
8. Tina Thompson
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Houston Comets e Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA).
- Fun fact: First player to score 7,000 points in the WNBA.
- Life story: Born in 1975 in California, she was one of the leading scorers in the history of the league.
9. Maya Moore
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Minnesota Lynx (WNBA).
- Fun fact: He left basketball temporarily to devote himself to social justice issues.
- Life story: Born in 1989 in Missouri, she is known for her versatility and impact on and off the court.
10. Candace Parker
- Titles: Two-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA).
- Fun fact: First WNBA player to win the Dunk Contest.
- Life story: Born in 1986 in Illinois, she is recognized for her versatile ability as a wing-pivot.
11. Elena Delle Donne
- Titles: One-time WNBA champion.
- Team: Washington Mystics (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Holds the record for the highest free throw percentage in WNBA history.
- Life story: Born in 1989 in Delaware, he overcame health obstacles to become a basketball star.
12. Breanna Stewart
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Seattle Storm (WNBA).
- Fun fact: MVP of the WNBA Finals in his first two seasons.
- Life story: Born in 1994 in New York, she is one of today’s most dominant players.
13. Teresa Edwards
- Titles: Four-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Several professional teams in the USA and Europe.
- Fun fact: He played in five Olympic Games, winning medals in all of them.
- Life story: Born in Georgia in 1964, she is one of the most decorated players in Olympic history.
14. Seimone Augustus
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, four-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Minnesota Lynx (WNBA).
- Fun fact: She was named WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2006.
- Life story: Born in Louisiana in 1984, she is one of the best scorers in the WNBA.
15. Sylvia Fowles
- Titles: Two-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Minnesota Lynx (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Leading rebounder in WNBA history.
- Life story: Born in Miami in 1985, she is one of today’s most dominant pivots.
16. Dawn Staley
- Titles: Three-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Several professional teams in the USA.
- Fun fact: Olympic medalist as a player and coach.
- Life story: Born in 1970 in Virginia, she is one of the greatest point guards in basketball history.
17. Nancy Lieberman
- Titles: WNBA champion.
- Team: Phoenix Mercury (WNBA).
- Fun fact: She was the first woman to play in a professional men’s league.
- Life story: Born in 1958 in New York, she is a pioneer of women’s basketball.
18. Ticha Penicheiro
- Titles: WNBA champion.
- Team: Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Leader in assists in WNBA history.
- Life story: Born in 1974 in Portugal, she was one of the best point guards in the WNBA.
19. Yolanda Griffith
- Titles: Two-time WNBA champion, one-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA).
- Fun fact: WNBA MVP in 1999.
- Life story: Born in 1970 in the United States, she is considered one of the WNBA’s best forwards.
20. Lindsay Whalen
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Minnesota Lynx (WNBA).
- Fun fact: She became a coach after ending her playing career.
- Life story: Born in 1982 in Minnesota, she was one of the leaders of the WNBA championship teams.
21. Candice Dupree
- Titles: None in the WNBA, but one of the league’s most consistent players.
- Team: Phoenix Mercury and others (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Known for her versatile and long-lasting skills in the WNBA.
- Life story: Born in 1984 in Oklahoma, she is a respected veteran in the league.
22. Rebecca Lobo
- Titles: WNBA champion.
- Team: New York Liberty (WNBA).
- Fun fact: She was one of the first WNBA stars and also an Olympic medalist.
- Life story: Born in Connecticut in 1973, she is one of the pioneers of professional women’s basketball.
23. Angel McCoughtry
- Titles: WNBA champion.
- Team: Atlanta Dream (WNBA).
- Fun fact: He was a two-time WNBA MVP.
- Life story: Born in 1986 in Baltimore, she is known for her explosive attacking ability.
24. Diana Taurasi
- Titles: WNBA champion.
- Team: Phoenix Mercury (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Holds the record for the most points in WNBA history.
- Life story: Born in 1982 in California, she is considered one of the best pitchers of all time.
25. Swin Cash
- Titles: Three-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Detroit Shock, Seattle Storm e outros (WNBA).
- Fun fact: He won NCAA and WNBA titles.
- Life story: Born in 1979 in Pennsylvania, she is a leader on and off the court.
26. Nneka Ogwumike
- Titles: One-time WNBA champion.
- Team: Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA).
- Fun fact: WNBA MVP in 2016.
- Life story: Born in 1990 in Texas, she is one of the best wing-pivots in the league.
27. Tina Charles
- Titles: One-time WNBA champion.
- Team: New York Liberty and others (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Leading rebounder in the WNBA.
- Life story: Born in 1988 in New York, she is one of the most dominant players in the pivot position.
28. Lindsay Whalen
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Minnesota Lynx (WNBA).
- Fun fact: She became a coach after ending her playing career.
- Life story: Born in 1982 in Minnesota, she was one of the leaders of the WNBA championship teams.
29. Sue Bird
- Titles: Four-time WNBA champion, four-time Olympic champion.
- Team: Seattle Storm (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Player with the most assists in WNBA history.
- Life story: Born in 1980 in New York, she is one of the most respected and skilled players in the WNBA.
30. Brittney Griner
- Titles: One-time WNBA champion.
- Team: Phoenix Mercury (WNBA).
- Fun fact: Known for her height and defensive skills.
- Life story: Born in 1990 in Texas, she is one of the most dominant center forwards in WNBA history.
Greatest basketball players of all time:
- Lisa Leslie
- Diana Taurasi
- Tamika Catchings
- Cheryl Miller
- Sue Bird
- Sheryl Swoopes
- Cynthia Cooper
- Tina Thompson
- Maya Moore
- Candace Parker
- Elena Delle Donne
- Breanna Stewart
- Teresa Edwards
- Seimone Augustus
- Sylvia Fowles
- Dawn Staley
- Nancy Lieberman
- Ticha Penicheiro
- Yolanda Griffith
- Lindsay Whalen
- Candice Dupree
- Rebecca Lobo
- Angel McCoughtry
- Diana Taurasi
- Swin Cash
- Nneka Ogwumike
- Tina Charles
- Lindsay Whalen
- Sue Bird
- Brittney Griner
These, then, are the 30 greatest female basketball players of all time. They represent the best in women’s sport, with extraordinary skills and significant contributions to basketball.
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