March Madness is ancient history, the UConn Huskies are National Champions, and Paige Bueckers and the rest of the 2025 WNBA Draft Class now have homes. Earlier this year, Fantom’s basketball writers collaborated on a ranking system for the Top 100 NBA players entering the 2024-25 season, and I wanted to do the same thing on the WNBA side to give some first-time fans a look at some players to keep on their radar for this season.

In terms of ground rules, we’re following the same standard with the NBA ranking where we won’t be including any rookies in this list. We also want to make things clear that this is our rankings of these players GOING INTO the 2025 WNBA Season. This is not a prediction article, this is a “where are they now?” article. We will also release this series in five parts with ten players in each spot, so stay tuned over the next few weeks to stay updated.

And with that being said, let’s get started.

50. Bridget Carleton/F/Minnesota Lynx

Last season was a breakout season for the former 2019 second-rounder. Bridget Carleton started in 36 of 39 games for the Finals runner-ups last season and finished third in the Most Improved Player race, averaging career numbers across the board, with 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game on 44% from beyond the arc.

With her role growing more and more, she’s already looking comfortable as one of the league’s biggest marksmen.

49. Teaira McCowan/C/Dallas Wings

Teaira McCowan was the woman in the middle for the Wings this season and proved her value as one of the league’s premiere rebounders. She was top ten in rebounds per game with 8.1, while also adding 11.7 points a night.

The former third overall pick was also second in the league in field goal percentage and serves as a very effective cleanup option for Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale to run pick and rolls with.

48. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough/G/Atlanta Dream

One of the finalists for Sixth Player of the Year last season, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough was a key difference-maker for the Washington Mystics a season ago. While the counting stats don’t pop off the page to the average viewer, she’s one of the most tenacious perimeter defenders in the league.

She signed to the Dream this offseason, and is sure to serve as one of the many key pieces that catapult Atlanta into contention this year.

47. Kamilla Cardoso/C/Chicago Sky

The third overall pick in last year’s draft had a bit of a late introduction to the WNBA world. After missing some time due to injury, she still posted a good rookie campaign ending the season averaging 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game on 52.1% from the field.

Her rookie counterpart Angel Reese did a lot of the heavy lifting on the glass, but Cardoso is already leaving her mark as a franchise big and I expect big things from her this season.

46. Shakira Austin/C/Washington Mystics

Shakira Austin was a victim to the injury bug last season, only suiting up in 12 of the team’s 40 games. But she made the most of the opportunity she was given. She put up her career-high in points per game at 11.8.

Though her efficiency didn’t match previous years, it’s hard to develop a rhythm when missing action. At only 24 years old and fresh off a summer playing in Unrivaled, she’s sure to hit this season with something to prove.

45. Leonie Fiebich/F/New York Liberty

One of the most heartfelt stories of the year was the rookie season debut of Leonie Fiebich for the New York Liberty. After being a second-round pick in the 2020 Draft, she came over from Germany and came in SNIPING.

She shot 43.3% from beyond the arc good enough for seventh in the league in percentage. She also stepped up majorly in the playoffs, starting every game and averaging 11.6 points per game on 54.2% from the field and 52.1% from three en route to the Liberty’s championship.

I’d expect her to be trusted with a bigger role entering this season, and if it’s anything like her rookie campaign she’s sure to turn some heads.

44. Brittney Sykes/G/Washington Mystics

When it comes to defensive aces in the backcourt, Brittney Sykes has been a pest for years. The four-time All-Defensive player battled some injuries this year but still suited up for 18 games for the Mystics and played a pivotal role in keeping the Mystics in games that they shouldn’t have been in.

With a team bringing in a lot of new talent this season, Sykes will be a catalyst of stability for them entering their new era.

43. Gabby Williams/F/Seattle Storm

Gabby Williams took the internet by storm (no pun intended) in the 2024 Olympics, putting up a stellar performance for the Silver Medalist French National team. She averaged 15.5 points, 4.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game and was honored with the Best Defensive Player award.

This performance led her to be signed to the Seattle Storm, the team that she spent the previous two seasons with, in August and she’d finish the last 12 games with them, putting up impressive numbers. She averaged 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on career high 48.1% from the field and 32.3% from three.

Williams signed an extension and is set to be a key piece of their core for the foreseeable future, and will likely serve as a welcoming veteran for their French rookie Dominique Malonga.

42. Tyasha Harris/G/Dallas Wings

Tyasha Harris was finally given the keys this season, starting in 38 of her 39 appearances this year for the Connecticut Sun. She always excelled as a long range shooter, and kept that streak going this season shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc.

Harris was such a valuable asset that she was a part of the four-team trade that sent Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally to the Phoenix Mercury. Now back where her career started in Dallas, the former NCAA national champion has another one joining her in Paige Bueckers to teach.

41. Alanna Smith/F/Minnesota Lynx

Alanna Smith was one of the biggest unexpected risers of last season, especially fitting in as a missing piece for a contending Minnesota Lynx. After being on three teams in three years, Smith settled in for the Lynx and established herself as one of the best defenders in the league and unprecedented offensive efficiency.

Last season she averaged career-highs in points, assists, steals and blocks per game. But she also shot 47.1% from the field and 39.8% from three, which is insane considering she had never shot above 30% up to this point in her career.

She should be a household name, and her pairing with Napheesa Collier makes the Lynx a dangerous team for years to come.

That’s all we have for part one of our Top 50 list, be sure to stay tuned in to the site for some WNBA Team Previews and the continuation of our countdown over the next few weeks prior to the WNBA season tip-off. Who’s some names you believe were snubbed? Who’s some names you’re looking forward to?

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