WNBA player rankings: The top 50 players heading into 2026 - ESPN

Before the WNBA tips its 30th season with a new collective bargaining agreement in place and new franchises in Portland and Toronto, we're ranking the top 50 players heading into the 2026 season.

There's no suspense about No. 1: Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces stays in the top spot where she finished last year.

Rookies are not included in these rankings but will be considered for subsequent updates throughout the season. Players who are currently unsigned by a WNBA team are not eligible. But players who are expected to start this season injured but are projected to return within the first two months are included.

The New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream lead the way with six players each, and the Aces, Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks have five players apiece.

Center | 6-foot-4
2025 stats: 23.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.3 BPG

Last season, Wilson, 29, won an unprecedented fourth regular-season MVP award and then was WNBA Finals MVP as the Aces won their third title. She was also co-defensive player of the year and for the second season in a row averaged a double-double in scoring and rebounding. She shot 50.5% from the field, which included making 42.4% of her 3-point attempts (25 of 59). And for the fifth consecutive season, she shot better than 80% from the free throw line. — Michael Voepel

Forward | 6-foot-1
2025 stats: 15.4 PPG, 9.2 APG, 8.8 RPG

Thomas had an MVP-caliber season in her first year with the Mercury, finishing third in award voting. One of the league's best playmakers, she led the WNBA in assists per game and broke the league's single-season assists record (357), finishing with at least 300 for the third straight season. Thomas also recorded eight triple-doubles — more than the