Rating the highest 25 WNBA gamers for the 2025 preseason

Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces have a little bit of a brand new look however stay assured of their core. Breanna Stewart is out to assist the New York Liberty defend their championship. Napheesa Collier, who’s coming off a stellar Unmatched season, seeks to avenge the Minnesota Lynx’s WNBA Finals defeat. And in her sophomore season, Caitlin Clark is seeking to lead the Indiana Fever into title competition.

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

The highest 9 spots on our record got here collectively rapidly as consensus dominated. However the center of the pack acquired tough. Offseason efficiency, comparable to how nicely gamers competed at Unmatched, factored into the voting. And rookies weren’t eligible, although they will break into the record as we proceed to replace it all through the season.

Here’s a take a look at our preseason prime 25, as decided by ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Kevin Pelton, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel.

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

Wilson, 28, had among the best particular person seasons in WNBA historical past. She gained her third MVP award with career-high averages in factors, rebounds, blocks and steals (1.8 per recreation). Her scoring common was the best for any season in league historical past, breaking the mark of 25.3 PPG set by Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi in 2006. For the third consecutive season, Wilson shot higher than 50% from the sphere and made each the All-WNBA and all-defensive first groups. — Michael Voepel

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

A outstanding 12 months noticed Collier, ranked fifth at the moment final yr, cement her standing as the highest challenger to Wilson for MVP. After averaging profession highs in rebounds, assists and blocks whereas incomes Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors and an MVP runner-up end, Collier led the Lynx to their first Finals look since 2017. Arguably the very best participant within the collection, Collier scored the go-ahead basket within the late phases of Sport 5’s fourth quarter earlier than the New York Liberty pressured OT and gained. Collier adopted that up by profitable MVP honors within the Unmatched 3-on-3 league she co-founded. — Kevin Pelton

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

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

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

Clark dazzled as a rookie, notably within the second half of the season, on her technique to incomes first-team All-WNBA honors and ending fourth in MVP voting. Now, with an actual offseason below her belt to work on her recreation and a while to mentally recharge, she appears poised to have a memorable sophomore marketing campaign. With a brand new coach and a few key free company additions, Clark must regulate to enjoying in a brand new system and with new teammates, however spending all offseason coaching in Indianapolis with Fever coach Stephanie White and her workers ought to assist ease the transition. — Alexa Philippou

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Caitlin Clark on her 36-foot 3: “I am all the time additional again than I really assume”

Caitlin Clark tells Holly Rowe how particular it’s to share enjoying a preseason recreation at Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment along with her Fever teammates and discusses her 36-foot 3-pointer.

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

For the primary time in her WNBA profession, Thomas is not going to swimsuit up for the Connecticut Solar, getting a recent begin this season with the Phoenix Mercury. Will probably be fascinating to see how Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts makes use of a participant as uniquely versatile as Thomas — final season she completed No. 2 within the league in assists and No. 9 in rebounds. Due to shoulder points, the overwhelming majority of her pictures come within the paint. Earlier in camp, Tibbetts referred to as Thomas a “basketball wizard” for her basketball IQ and mentioned she is going to play level guard, energy ahead and heart for the Mercury. — Philippou

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

Jones’ second yr with the Liberty was simply what the franchise hoped for because it gained its first WNBA title. Jones was WNBA Finals MVP after averaging 17.8 factors — capturing 56.1% — and seven.6 rebounds within the five-game collection in opposition to Minnesota. She was additionally on the All-WNBA and all-defensive second groups final season. The chemistry between Jones and fellow submit star Breanna Stewart actually clicked of their second season collectively. — Voepel

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

Ionescu put collectively an early MVP candidacy at the beginning of final season earlier than a leg harm led to a decline in manufacturing. Whereas she averaged a career-high 18.2 factors per recreation, she completed the season capturing 39.4% from the sphere and 33.3% on 3-pointers. Anticipate Ionescu to get again to the extent of effectivity she shot with two seasons in the past (42.3% and 44.8%) because the Liberty search to defend their title. — Andrews

Which workforce needs to be favorites to win the 2025 WNBA title? 🤔 @Andraya_Carter and @chiney look forward to the common season ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/Tx6Ni8JIDN

— espnW (@espnW) Might 6, 2025

Ahead | 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 a giant enhance to the Storm, who returned to the postseason after lacking it in 2023. Ogwumike has been a mannequin of consistency since she entered the league because the No. 1 choose in 2012. That continued final season as her numbers have been practically similar to her profession averages. She made the All-WNBA and all-defensive second groups and competed in her ninth All-Star Sport. — Voepel

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

Younger’s capturing numbers took a dip final season, hitting 33.7% from past the arc after capturing near 45% in 2023. Her 2024 postseason averages dipped off her regular-season manufacturing: 13.8 factors, 5.8 boards and three.0 assists over six playoff video games — because the Aces got here up brief of their quest to three-peat. — Andrews

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

Having performed her total profession with the identical franchise, albeit cut up between a rebuilding period in San Antonio and title competition with the Aces, Plum embarks on a brand new period after a sign-and-trade despatched her residence to SoCal. One in all a number of stars in Las Vegas, Plum would be the go-to participant for the Sparks, presenting a possibility to enhance on the 19 PPG she averaged with the Aces. However she’ll even be challenged to make use of her playmaking to assist 2024 lottery picks Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson take the subsequent steps of their growth. — Pelton

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

Copper had a career-best scoring common in her first season with the Mercury final yr and made the All-WNBA second workforce. She competed in her fourth consecutive All-Star Sport, this time as a part of Workforce USA, then performed within the Olympics for the primary time, profitable gold. With Diana Taurasi (retired) and Brittney Griner (free agent transfer to Atlanta) gone, the Mercury have a brand new id this season, and Copper is a significant a part of that. — Voepel

Ahead | 6-foot-4

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

Sabally wasn’t at her finest in 2024, when a shoulder harm restricted her to fifteen video games (all after the All-Star break). But when 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 larger on this record. After Dallas drafted her No. 2 in 2020, this shall be Sabally’s first season with a brand new franchise, the place, alongside Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, she’ll have a starring function in a new-look Phoenix squad. — Philippou

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

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

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

Her 2024 scoring common was the second better of her profession. Her 2.7 SPG and her 92.1% free throw capturing have been profession highs that led the WNBA final yr. Her assists common additionally was a profession finest and ranked eighth within the league. She was MVP of the All-Star Sport, plus made the All-WNBA second workforce. Nevertheless, the Wings completed second to final at 9-31. No. 1 choose Paige Bueckers brings extra assist for Ogunbowale this season. — Voepel

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

McBride averaged extra factors throughout her Las Vegas heyday, however 2024 was essentially the most impactful season of her WNBA profession. Ideally complementing Napheesa Collier’s inside recreation, McBride had the very best 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 factors within the deciding Sport 5. McBride stayed sizzling in Unmatched, rating third in scoring and becoming a member of Collier on the All-Unmatched first workforce. — Pelton

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

If there may be one factor making Grey optimistic about her 2025 season, it is her well being. Final season was riddled with accidents, and it led to a drop in manufacturing. (She averaged a career-high 15.3 PPG and seven.3 assists in 2024.) However it additionally lit a hearth below Grey, which was evident in her efficiency at Unmatched. Grey was among the best gamers within the 3-on-3 offseason league, averaging 22.3 factors, 4.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per recreation. She additionally shot 45.7% from the ground and 45.3% from 3 on her technique to serving to the Rose win the title and being named finals MVP. Her play at Unmatched helped land her on this record, and it’ll assist propel the Aces if she will carry it over into the WNBA. — Andrews

Middle | 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 free agent. She now will workforce with one other new face for the Dream within the submit, Brionna Jones, for brand spanking new coach Karl Smesko. Griner was an All-Star and Olympian once more final season and stays one of many prime true facilities within the league. We are going to see how her recreation adapts in a unique setting. — Voepel

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 story. After giving start to her second baby and lacking your entire 2023 marketing campaign, Diggins wasn’t at peak efficiency in the course of the first two months of final season. However following the Olympic break, Diggins averaged 18.5 PPG and 6.3 APG, capturing 48% from the sphere — comparable manufacturing to her three seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, all of which earned her All-WNBA honors. Diggins additionally earned All-Unmatched first-team honors as a part of a Lunar Owls squad that had the league’s finest report. — Pelton

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

One other former franchise stalwart who left for a brand new workforce this offseason, Loyd’s arrival in Las Vegas helps make up for the lack of Kelsey Plum, firmly retaining the Aces within the championship competition dialog. In her closing season with the Seattle Storm, Loyd struggled with effectivity (capturing 27.4% from the 3-point arc) because the workforce fizzled after the Olympic break. However a recent begin might assist Loyd rediscover her kind, and with loads of assist round her in A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey and Jackie Younger, Loyd will not be requested to do all of it for the Aces. — Philippou

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

This could possibly be a breakout marketing campaign for Howard, who gained Rookie of the 12 months and has made two All-Star groups however has but to assist the Dream previous the primary spherical of the playoffs. Howard’s worth was evident by her absence final yr: Atlanta went 1-9 within the 10 video games Howard missed main as much as the Olympic break. She averaged 19.0 PPG after the Olympics because the Dream went 8-8 to succeed in the playoffs. Now, Atlanta has extra frontcourt expertise with the additions of Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, elevating expectations. — Pelton

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

Boston was an All-Star for the second yr in a row, and her stats have been much like her WNBA Rookie of the 12 months season in 2023 when she was the league’s prime choose. She teamed with 2024 No. 1 choose Caitlin Clark to assist lead the Fever again to the playoffs for the primary time since 2016. That inside-outside pairing needs to be a key for Indiana this yr, too. — Voepel

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

A vivid 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 technique to incomes her third All-Star nod. Now in her third season in L.A., Hamby may have extra assist enjoying alongside Kelsey Plum, her shut pal and former Aces teammate, because the Sparks look to return to the playoffs for the primary time since 2020. — Philippou

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

Grey might thrive below new coach Karl Smesko and his heavy emphasis on 3-point capturing. Final season, she shot 34.2% from past the arc, and with hopefully extra spacing and capturing threats with a wholesome roster alongside her, Grey will be capable of discover simpler pictures. — Andrews

Middle | 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 pair of second-team nods and ending third in Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting. 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 arrival of Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike. Magbegor bouncing again from 3-point vary shall be key to an All-Star return. After capturing 38.5% past the arc in 2023, Magbegor shot a career-low 24.5% final season. — Pelton

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

Regardless of her rookie season being reduce brief by a wrist harm, Reese is coming off an All-Star season and tallied a record-breaking 15 consecutive double-doubles and grabbed a WNBA single-season report 446 rebounds in 2024. The knock on Reese’s recreation final season was vary and her capability to complete on the rim. (She shot 39.1%.) She spent chunk of her offseason engaged on each with Lisa Leslie in Miami at Unmatched, and the outcomes ought to repay. — Andrews