WNBA Player Rankings: The Top 50 Players Heading Into 2026 As the WNBA prepares to kick off its 30th season with a new collective bargaining agreement in place and the addition of new franchises in Portland and Toronto, a comprehensive ranking of the league’s top 50 players has been released. The list, which excludes rookies and unsigned players but includes those expected to return from injuries within the first two months of the season, highlights the league’s most impactful athletes ahead of the 2026 campaign. The New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream lead the rankings with six players each, while the Las Vegas Aces, Chicago Sky, and Los Angeles Sparks each have five representatives. The rankings open with A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, who remains the league’s dominant force. The four-time MVP and defending champion secured her fourth regular-season MVP award in 2025, leading the Aces to their third WNBA title. Wilson’s 23.4 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 2025 underscore her continued excellence, including a 50.5% shooting efficiency from the field and an 80% free-throw accuracy. Her performance solidified her position as the league’s most consistent player. Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury follows in second place, showcasing her elite playmaking abilities. The forward led the WNBA in assists per game in 2025, breaking the league’s single-season record with 357 assists. Her 15.4 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game reflect her role as a dual threat, while her eight triple-doubles—more than the rest of the league combined—highlight her dominance. Thomas’s ability to elevate her team’s offense while maintaining defensive impact makes her a key figure in the rankings.#las_vegas_aces #wnba #phoenix_mercury #new_york_liberty #atlanta_dream
WNBA Celebrates 30th Season With Retro Throwback Jerseys and Court Origins Program The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is commemorating its 30th season with a nostalgic tribute to its inaugural year, 1997, through its Court Origins initiative. The program, announced on April 24, features retro-inspired basketballs and jerseys for the league’s three surviving founding franchises—the Los Angeles Sparks, the New York Liberty, and the Phoenix Mercury—as well as special courts and game schedules designed to honor the league’s legacy. The Court Origins Wilson EVO NXT basketball, which is identical to the model currently used by the WNBA, has been retrofitted with vintage aesthetics. The ball retains its alternating panel design but features lighter panels in vintage white or cream tones. Two panels bear retro league logos, while the third panel displays the WNBA’s 30th season logo alongside a modern player silhouette. This design bridges the gap between past and present, reflecting the league’s evolution over three decades. Each of the three original franchises will don custom jerseys that replicate their 1997 looks. The Sparks’ jersey is predominantly yellow with purple side panels extending to the shoulders and white panels over the shoulders. A retro wordmark for the team, featuring a teal-accented palm tree, runs across the chest, paired with an offset purple number. The Liberty’s jersey is mostly black, with seafoam green side panels outlined in orange and silver over the shoulders. The team’s original wordmark, which replaces the “I” in “LIBERTY” with a torch, is arched across the chest. The Mercury’s jersey is red with purple side panels and yellow over the shoulders, featuring a slanted wordmark and a white number outlined in purple.#los_angeles_sparks #las_vegas_aces #wnba #phoenix_mercury #new_york_liberty
Las Vegas Aces Re-Sign Three-Time World Champion A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces president and general manager Nikki Fargas announced on April 15, 2026, that the team has re-signed four-time WNBA Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson, a pivotal figure in the Aces’ three WNBA championships over the past four seasons. The re-signing ensures the Aces retain 90% of their scoring power, with Wilson contributing 75.5 points per game out of the team’s total 83.6 points per game in 2025. Fargas praised Wilson’s impact, stating, “A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today. Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity and grace. We look forward to continuing to see her thrive in an Aces uniform.” Wilson, who closed the 2025 season as the only player in WNBA history to earn M’VP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals M’VP, and lead the league in scoring in the same season, expressed her commitment with a cryptic message: “YKWTFGO.” Her 2025 season was marked by historic achievements, including becoming the only player in league history to secure a fourth WNBA M’VP honor. She previously won the award in 2020, 2022, and 2024, while also claiming two WNBA Finals M’VP titles, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven All-Star selections, six All-WNBA honors, and five All-Defensive Team nods. Wilson’s 2025 season with the Aces was a masterclass in dominance. She averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks during the regular season, and 26.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals, and 2.5 blocks in the playoffs.#las_vegas_aces #wnba #aja_wilson #nika_fargas #wnba_championships
A'ja Wilson Signs Historic 3-Year, $5M Supermax Contract with Las Vegas Aces A'ja Wilson, the WNBA’s first four-time MVP, has agreed to a landmark three-year, $5 million supermax contract with the Las Vegas Aces, sources confirmed to ESPN. The deal, the largest in WNBA history and fully guaranteed for Wilson, was negotiated by her agent, Jade-Li English of Klutch Sports Group. While the Aces publicly announced the re-signing, they did not disclose the specifics of the agreement. Under the next WNBA collective bargaining agreement, Wilson will earn $1.4 million for the upcoming season, with her salary increasing over the next two years based on her receiving 20% of the team’s salary cap. This structure is supported by the league’s new revenue share model, which aims to distribute financial resources more evenly across teams. The Aces’ president and general manager, Nikki Fargas, praised Wilson’s contributions to the franchise, stating, “A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today. Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity, and grace. We look forward to continuing to see her thrive in an Aces uniform.” Wilson’s re-signing solidifies the Aces’ roster, as the team will retain 90% of its scoring power from the 2025 championship squad, which averaged 75.5 points per game out of a possible 83.6. Wilson, 29, has been a cornerstone of the Aces’ success since being drafted first overall by Las Vegas in 2018. She helped the team secure its first WNBA title in franchise history in 2022, then repeated the feat in 2023 while earning Finals MVP honors.#las_vegas_aces #wnba #aja_wilson #jade_li_english #nikki_fargas
Marta Suarez Projected to Seattle Storm in Final WNBA Mock Draft at No. 14 The 2026 WNBA Draft, a highly anticipated event in the basketball calendar, is set to take place on Monday, April 13, at The Shed in New York. This year’s draft has generated significant buzz, particularly around the first overall pick, which has remained uncertain despite the league’s competitive landscape. After a dynamic first week of WNBA free agency, the Dallas Wings have emerged as the clear frontrunner to select UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd at No. 1. Other names in the mix for the top spot include Spanish forward Awa Fam, UCLA center Lauren Betts, and TCU guard Olivia Miles. However, the focus of USA TODAY’s final mock draft centers on TCU standout Marta Suarez, who is projected to be selected by the Seattle Storm at No. 14 overall. The draft order, which factors in potential trades and protections, has been meticulously analyzed by USA TODAY’s sports team. According to their projections, the Seattle Storm will use their No. 14 pick (acquired from the Las Vegas Aces) to select Marta Suarez. The Storm’s strategy for this selection highlights their long-term development approach. While the team is not seeking an immediate star, they aim to acquire a player who can contribute meaningfully to their roster. The Storm’s head coach, Karl Smesko, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Suarez’s growth, particularly in refining her defensive skills and expanding her shooting range from beyond the arc. Marta Suarez, a standout guard from TCU, has been a dominant force in college basketball this season. As of April 9, her statistical contributions include an average of 17.1 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game. Her shooting efficiency is also notable, with a 45.3% field goal percentage and a 37.#tcu #las_vegas_aces #dallas_wings #seattle_storm #marta_suarez
Kelsey Plum Signs One-Year Deal to Return to Los Angeles Sparks Four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time champion Kelsey Plum has signed a one-year, $999,999 contract to return to the Los Angeles Sparks, according to sources who shared the details with ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday. The deal marks Plum’s return to the Sparks after a single season with the San Antonio Stars/Las Vegas Aces franchise, where she spent her entire career prior to this move. The decision to accept a discounted rate instead of the projected $1.4 million supermax was made to provide the Sparks with financial flexibility to construct a roster capable of competing for a championship. Plum, a 5-foot-8 guard, averaged 19.5 points and 5.7 assists during her first season with the Sparks in 2024. Her arrival in Los Angeles was significant, as she became the team’s clear-cut star and a key figure in the effort to revive the franchise. The Sparks, one of the WNBA’s original teams, have not advanced past the playoffs since 2020, marking the longest active playoff drought in the league. Plum’s return aims to help the organization reclaim its storied status and end this extended dry spell. Prior to joining the Sparks, Plum was a cornerstone of the Las Vegas Aces’ core that secured consecutive WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023. She was drafted No. 1 overall in 2017 by the Aces, who later rebranded as the Sparks in 2024. Her tenure with the Aces included holding the NCAA scoring record (3,527 points) before Caitlin Clark surpassed it in 2024. Plum’s contributions to the Aces’ success were pivotal, but her decision to pivot to the Sparks reflects her desire to challenge for titles in a new environment. Plum’s career is defined by accolades and versatility.#shams_charania #los_angeles_sparks #las_vegas_aces #kelsey_plum #san_antonio_stars
WNBA’s Offseason Intensifies as Free Agency Unfolds The WNBA’s free agency period has entered its fourth day, with significant movements shaping the league’s landscape. Free agent forward Satou Sabally confirmed she is not returning to the Phoenix Mercury after a single season with the franchise, leaving her future uncertain. Meanwhile, Nneka Ogwumike’s tenure with the Seattle Storm has concluded after two seasons, marking the end of a transformative chapter for the team. Ogwumike, a 10-time All-Star, revitalized the Storm, leading them to playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025 despite a first-round exit in the latter. Her departure follows the firing of head coach Noelle Quinn after the 2025 season. The Las Vegas Aces have solidified their roster by re-signing defending champion Kierstan Bell, who averaged 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 35 games last season. Bell expressed excitement about returning to the team, emphasizing her commitment to the franchise’s success. Meanwhile, Aces superstar A’ja Wilson has confirmed her intent to stay in Las Vegas, with reports indicating she will re-sign on a $1.4 million supermax contract. Wilson’s decision underscores her role in the Aces’ recent dynasty, including their 2025 championship run. Other notable signings include free agent guard Breanna Stewart, who has chosen to remain with the New York Liberty, and Jackie Young, who is expected to return to the Aces on a one-year $1.19 million deal. Young’s return is critical to the Aces’ continued dominance, as she played a pivotal role in their 2025 championship series against the Phoenix Mercury. Trade activity has also intensified. The Dallas Wings traded forward Diamond Miller to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for center/forward Rayah Marshall.#las_vegas_aces #nneka_ogwumike #wnba #satou_sabally #seattle_storm
The WNBA Players' Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2026 Sets New Salary Standards The WNBA players and league reached a historic agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which will significantly boost player salaries starting in 2026. The terms, ratified by the league’s board of governors and unanimously approved by players, mark a major shift in the league’s financial structure, offering substantial raises across all levels of play. With the 2026 season approaching, the new CBA outlines detailed salary structures for veterans, rookies, and draft picks, reflecting the league’s commitment to improving player compensation. The salary cap for 2026 will rise to $7 million per team, a dramatic increase from the $1.5 million cap in 2025. This expansion comes as the league prepares for its first season with two new franchises, Toronto and Portland, which will participate in expansion drafts scheduled for April 6. The free agency period, set to begin April 7, and the collegiate/overseas draft on April 13, will shape team rosters under the new financial framework. For veteran players, the CBA introduces tiered salary structures based on experience and performance. Elite veterans like A’ja Wilson, a 29-year-old center with eight WNBA seasons, will see their 2026 salary jump from $200,000 in 2025 to an estimated $1.4 million, a supermax deal. Wilson, who won her third WNBA title and fourth MVP award in 2025, is expected to be among the highest-paid players due to her value to the Las Vegas Aces. Her 2026 salary will also include increased award payouts, such as a potential $60,000 for a fifth MVP win, compared to $15,450 in 2025. Average veterans, such as Alanna Smith, a 29-year-old forward with seven WNBA seasons, will also benefit from the new CBA.#las_vegas_aces #wnba_players #wnba_league #a_ja_wilson #minnesota_lynx
Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller's Divorce: A Tale of Two Careers and Emotional Struggles The marriage between Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum and NFL tight end Darren Waller ended abruptly after just 13 months. The couple finalized their divorce in April 2024, following a private ceremony in Las Vegas on March 4, 2023. Their split coincided with significant career milestones, as Plum led her team to consecutive WNBA championships while Waller transitioned to a new NFL team. The divorce process became public, with Plum describing the experience as emotionally devastating. She revealed that the breakdown of their marriage felt like a "nightmare" that left her "broken." In a statement, Plum admitted she had not anticipated the public nature of the divorce, which she said exposed her vulnerabilities. "Going through a very public divorce is something I was not expecting," she said, adding that the experience left her feeling "like the rug got taken out from under me." To cope, she deleted social media, switched to a new phone, and turned to reading her Bible, acknowledging that the emotional impact would linger. Waller’s personal struggles also played a role in the split. In November 2023, he was hospitalized for a life-threatening emergency, which prompted him to reflect on his relationship patterns and self-identity. During an interview with "The Breakfast Club," he discussed his feelings of inadequacy in relationships, stating that he often tied his worth to the success of his partnerships. "I feel like I got to dance or do a certain thing to keep this person around," he said, explaining how this mindset led to a loss of self. He admitted that the relationship had become a source of emotional baggage, preventing him from making authentic decisions about his life.#miami_dolphins #new_york_giants #kelsey_plum #darren_waller #las_vegas_aces
