The W25 are the Women's National Basketball Association's Top 25 Players of All Time, chosen in 2021 on the occasion of the 25th season of the WNBA from amongst 72 nominees compiled by the league. The group, selected by a panel consisting of media members and pioneering women's basketball figures, was to comprise the 25 best and most influential players of the first 25 years of the WNBA, with consideration also accorded to sportsmanship, community service, leadership, and contribution to the growth of women's basketball. To be considered, players had to have competed in the WNBA for at least two seasons, and fit at least four of seven criteria: Winning a major individual playing award. Selection to at least one All-WNBA Team at any level. Selection to at least one WNBA All-Defensive Team at any level. Selection for at least one WNBA All-Star Game. Member of at least one WNBA championship team. A ranking among the top 40 career leaders in any major statistical category, as of the start of the 2021 season. Winner of the WNBA's season-long Community Assist Award.
The W25 were announced on September 5, 2021 at halftime of the Las Vegas Aces–Chicago Sky game, televised in the U.S. by ABC.
The announcement of The W25 was immediately followed by "Vote for the GOAT". From September 5–19, fans voted on the WNBA's official website, the WNBA's mobile app, and Twitter to determine which member of The W25 they considered to be the league's greatest of all time. Before Game 1 of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10 at Footprint Center (now Mortgage Matchup Center) in Phoenix, Arizona, Diana Taurasi was announced as the fans' "GOAT".
Players selected Notes All information only pertains to the first 25 years of the league's existence. No awards or honors that were presented after the 2021 regular season are included. The 2021 All-Star Game is included because it took place before the final announcement of The W25.
^ Denotes player who was still active in the WNBA at time of award~Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Player Nationality Position Team(s) League titles League awards All-Star Games All-Decade Team Top 15 Team Top 20 Team SF Minnesota Lynx (2006–2019)Los Angeles Sparks (2020) 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 Finals MVP (2011)ROY (2006)6× All-WNBA 2006–2007, 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018 ^ PG Seattle Storm (2002–2022; entire career) 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 KPSA (2011, 2017, 2018)8× All-WNBA 2002, 2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 PF Detroit Shock (2002–2007)Seattle Storm (2008–2011)Chicago Sky (2012–2013)Atlanta Dream (2014)New York Liberty (2014–2016) 2003, 2006, 2010 ASG MVP (2009, 2011)KPSA (2013)2× All-WNBA 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 SF Indiana Fever (2002–2016; entire career) 2012 MVP (2011)Finals MVP (2012)ROY (2002)DPOY (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012)KPSA (2010, 2013)12× All-WNBA12× All-Defensive 2002–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011 ^ C Connecticut Sun (2010–2013)New York Liberty (2014–2019)Washington Mystics (2021)Phoenix Mercury (2022)Seattle Storm (2022)Atlanta Dream (2024)Connecticut Sun (2025–) None MVP (2012)ROY (2010)9× All-WNBA4× All-Defensive 2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021 SG Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2003; entire career) 1997–2000 MVP (1997, 1998)Finals MVP (1997–2000)4× All-WNBA 1999, 2000, 2003 ^ F/G Chicago Sky (2013–2016)Washington Mystics (2017–2023) 2019 2x MVP (2015, 2019)ROY (2013)5× All-WNBA 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2023 ^ C Chicago Sky (2008–2014)Minnesota Lynx (2015–2022) 2015, 2017 MVP (2017)Finals MVP (2015, 2017)4x DPOY (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021)8× All-WNBA11× All-Defensive 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017–2019, 2021, 2022 C Sacramento Monarchs (1999–2007)Seattle Storm (2008)Indiana Fever (2009) 2005 MVP (1999)Finals MVP (2005)DPOY (1999)ASG MVP (2004)5×All-WNBA 1999–2001, 2003, 2005–2007 ^ C Phoenix Mercury (2013–2024)Atlanta Dream (2025–) 2014 DPOY (2014, 2015)5× All-WNBA6× All-Defensive 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021 PG New York Liberty (1999–2006)San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars (2007–2014) None KPSA (2014)4×All-WNBA 2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2011 C Seattle Storm (2001–2012; entire career) 2004, 2010 MVP (2003, 2007, 2010)Finals MVP (2010)DPOY (2007)8×All-WNBA 2001–2003, 2005–2007, 2009 C Los Angeles Sparks (1997–2009) (entire career) 2001, 2002 MVP (2001, 2004, 2006)Finals MVP (2001, 2002)ASG MVP (1999, 2001, 2002)DPOY (2004, 2008)12×All-WNBA 1999–2003, 2005–2006, 2009 ^ F/G Atlanta Dream (2009–2018)Las Vegas Aces (2020–2021)Minnesota Lynx (2022) None ROY (2009)6× All-WNBA8× All-Defensive 2011, 2013–2015, 2018 ~ SF Minnesota Lynx (2011–2018; entire career) 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 MVP (2014)Finals MVP (2013)ASG MVP (2015, 2017, 2018)ROY (2011)7× All-WNBA2× All-Defensive 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018 ^ PF Los Angeles Sparks (2012–2023)Seattle Storm (2024–) 2016 MVP (2016)ROY (2012)KPSA (2019, 2020)6× All-WNBA6× All-Defensive 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2022, 2023 ^ PF Los Angeles Sparks (2008–2020)Chicago Sky (2021–2022)Las Vegas Aces (2023) 2016, 2021, 2023 MVP (2008, 2013)DPOY (2020)ASG MVP (2013)Finals MVP (2016)ROY (2008)10× All-WNBA2× All-Defensive 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 ~ PG Sacramento Monarchs (1998–2009)Los Angeles Sparks (2010–2011)Chicago Sky (2012) 2005 3× All-WNBA1× All-Defensive 1999–2002 SG Phoenix Mercury (2006–2009)New York Liberty (2010–2014)Chicago Sky (2015–2017)Los Angeles Sparks (2018)Indiana Fever (2018) 2007, 2009 Finals MVP (2007)4× All-WNBA1× All-Defensive 2006–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2015 SG Minnesota Lynx (1999–2005)Detroit Shock (2005–2009)Washington Mystics (2010)Seattle Storm (2011–2012) New York Liberty (2013) 2006, 2008 Finals MVP (2008)4×All-WNBA 2000–2003, 2005–2006, 2009 ^ PF Seattle Storm (2016–2022)New York Liberty (2023–) 2018, 2020, 2024 MVP (2018, 2023)Finals MVP (2018, 2020)ROY (2016)6× All-WNBA6× All-Defensive 2017, 2018, 2021-2024 SF Houston Comets (1997–2000, 2002–2007)Seattle Storm (2008)Tulsa Shock (2011) 1997–2000 MVP (2000, 2002, 2005)DPOY (2000, 2002, 2003)ASG MVP (2005)7× All-WNBA2× All-Defensive 1999, 2000, 2002–2003, 2005–2006 ^ SG Phoenix Mercury (2004–2014, 2016–2024; entire WNBA career) 2007, 2009, 2014 MVP (2009)Finals MVP (2009, 2014)ROY (2004)14× All-WNBA 2005–2007, 2009, 2011, 2013–2014, 2017–2018, 2021 SF Houston Comets (1997–2008)Los Angeles Sparks (2009–2011) Seattle Storm (2012–2013) 1997–2000 ASG MVP (2000)8× All-WNBA 1999–2003, 2006, 2007, 2009 PG Connecticut Sun (2004-2009)Minnesota Lynx (2010–2018) 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 5× All-WNBA 2006, 2011, 2013–2015
The inaugural WNBA All-Star Game took place during the 1999 season, and the game has been contested yearly since, with the following exceptions: From 2004 through 2016, no All-Star Game was held in any Olympic year. The 2004 edition was supplanted by a game between WNBA players from both conferences and the 2004 United States Olympic team, and the 2010 edition was replaced by a game between WNBA players from both conferences and Team USA, but the WNBA does not consider either to have been an All-Star Game. No All-Star Game was scheduled in 2020, accommodating the original scheduling of that year's Summer Olympics. The Olympics were delayed to 2021 due to COVID-19 issues. With the Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for 2021, the WNBA held a pre-Olympic game between WNBA players from both conferences and the 2021 US Olympic team. Unlike the 2004 and 2010 editions, the 2021 edition was officially classified as an All-Star Game. Players who were voted to start in All-Star Games but were unable to play due to injury are nevertheless considered to have been starters; players voted as reserves who started in place of other injured players are nevertheless considered to have been reserves. Three players included in previous lists, Dawn Staley (All-Decade and 15 Years Team), Teresa Weatherspoon (15 Years and 20@20) and Deanna Nolan (20@20) missed the W25.
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