Look, if you’re still just looking at points per game to decide who the best hoopers in the world are, you’re basically watching the game through a straw. The 2025 season turned the league on its head. We saw legends moving to new cities, rookies like Paige Bueckers living up to the massive hype, and a certain superstar in Las Vegas somehow finding a whole new gear.
The conversation around WNBA player rankings 2025 isn't just about who scored the most. It's about who actually broke the game.
Honestly, the gap between the "very good" and the "untouchable" has never been wider. While everyone was busy arguing about rookie of the year races, the veterans were busy putting up numbers that look like they came out of a video game. Let’s get into what the landscape actually looks like now that the 2025 dust has settled.
The Unanimous Queen: A’ja Wilson
There is no debate here. Period.
A’ja Wilson didn't just win another MVP in 2025; she basically took the trophy home and locked the door behind her. She averaged 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds, but even those numbers feel like they're underselling it. According to the year-end stats from Basketball-Reference, she led the league in Win Shares at 9.5. That's essentially her saying, "I'm worth nearly 10 wins just by standing on the court."
She also shared the Defensive Player of the Year honors with Minnesota’s Alanna Smith. Think about that for a second. The person leading the league in scoring (937 total points) is also the one scaring everyone away from the paint. Her 2025 campaign was historic because she became the first player to win four MVP awards. She's officially in the GOAT conversation with Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie, and frankly, she might have already passed them.
Why A'ja is different now
In past years, teams would try to double-team her and hope for the best. By 2025, she developed a three-point shot that actually matters. She shot 42.4% from deep this season. A 6'4" center who can protect the rim and then go down the other end and splash a transition three? That's a cheat code.
💡 You might also like: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
The Battle for the Number Two Spot
If A’ja is in her own universe, the race for the second spot is a total fistfight.
Most people want to hand it to Breanna Stewart because, well, she’s Stewie. But if we’re being real about WNBA player rankings 2025, Napheesa Collier has a serious case for being the actual runner-up. "Phee" was a monster for the Minnesota Lynx this year. She averaged 22.9 points and shot over 53% from the floor.
The Lynx finished with a league-best 34-10 record, and while they fell short in the playoffs, Collier was the engine. She’s probably the most efficient high-volume scorer we’ve seen in a long time. She doesn't take bad shots. Ever.
The Stewart Factor
Breanna Stewart’s 2025 was "down" by her standards, which is hilarious because she still averaged 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. She’s the only player in the league who consistently averages more than one steal and one block per game. Her value isn't always in the box score; it's in the way she stretches the floor and makes the New York Liberty’s offense function. However, Collier’s raw efficiency and defensive impact this specific season probably nudge her ahead in a "right now" ranking.
The Playmaking Revolution: Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark
You can't talk about 2025 without mentioning the passing.
Alyssa Thomas is a walking triple-double. She’s now with the Phoenix Mercury, and she spent the 2025 season rewriting the record books for assists. She averaged 9.2 assists per game, a WNBA record. She's basically a point-center who plays with two torn labrums and still manages to out-rebound people three inches taller than her.
📖 Related: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
Then you've got Caitlin Clark.
The hype was loud, but the production was louder. In her second year, Clark’s scoring was solid at 16.5 PPG, but her passing is what’s keeping coaches awake at night. She averaged 8.8 assists, trailing only Thomas. The Indiana Fever became a legitimate threat because of her vision. People love the logo threes, but her ability to find Aliyah Boston in the pocket is what actually wins games.
The "New" Veterans and Rising Stars
The 2025 season saw some massive shifts in where players were suited up.
- Jewell Loyd: After a decade in Seattle, she moved to the Las Vegas Aces. It was a weird adjustment at first, but she still finished in the top 10 for total points.
- Kelsey Mitchell: She quietly had one of the best scoring seasons ever for a guard, averaging 20.2 PPG and hitting a league-leading 111 threes.
- Paige Bueckers: The Rookie of the Year lived up to the billing. She put up 19.2 points and 5.4 assists for Dallas. She plays with a smoothness that makes it look like she’s moving in slow motion while everyone else is sprinting.
What the Numbers Don't Tell You
The biggest mistake fans make is ignoring the "stocks" (steals + blocks).
In the 2025 rankings, players like Ezi Magbegor and Alanna Smith deserve way more love. Smith's defensive impact for the Lynx was the reason they had the best record in the league. When she was on the floor, opponents' shooting percentages at the rim plummeted.
Also, we have to talk about Angel Reese.
👉 See also: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
The "Double-Double Queen" led the league in rebounding with 12.6 per game. People criticize her shooting percentage, but you can't ignore someone who secures that many extra possessions. In any objective ranking, a player who guarantees you 12+ rebounds a night has to be in the top 15.
Actionable Insights for Following the League
If you’re trying to stay ahead of the curve on WNBA talent, don’t just watch the highlights.
First, look at On/Off splits. A’ja Wilson’s on/off numbers in 2025 were +29.5. That means the Aces were nearly 30 points better per 100 possessions when she was playing compared to when she was sitting. That’s the true definition of an MVP.
Second, pay attention to usage vs. efficiency. Caitlin Clark has a high turnover rate, but it’s because she has the ball constantly. When her usage rate drops slightly as the Fever add more talent, her efficiency will likely skyrocket.
Finally, watch the Golden State Valkyries. As the newest expansion team, they’ve scrambled the rosters. Players like Veronica Burton and Tiffany Hayes found new life there in 2025, and their rankings are going to fluctuate wildly as that chemistry develops.
The league is deeper than it’s ever been. There are probably 20 players right now who would have been the "best player in the world" in 2010. That's not hyperbole—that's just how fast the talent is growing. Keep an eye on the advanced defensive metrics if you want to know who the coaches actually fear.
Check the latest injury reports before the 2026 preseason starts, as players like Satou Sabally and Brittney Sykes are looking to bounce back from limited 2025 runs. If they return at 100%, the top 10 is going to look completely different by this time next year.