On April 24, 1996, women’s basketball announced “We Got Next” as the NBA Board of Governors approved the concept of a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to begin play in June 1997. Since then, the WNBA has been the home for the best women’s basketball talent in the world. With the league celebrating its 25th season in 2021, take a look back at WNBA’s bright history.
Jump to: Champions | All Star | Draft | Awards | WNBA20 Video Vault
CHAMPIONS
The Seattle Storm won their fourth WNBA Championship after defeating the Las Vegas Aces in three games. Breanna Stewart was named Finals MVP for the second time in her career, with series averages of 28.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 63% shooting. Sue Bird became the 10th player to have four titles with a record 16 years separating her first and fourth.
More: All-Time WNBA Champions
Playoffs: 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
WNBA ALL-STAR
Erica Wheeler started the weekend as the fifth undrafted player to ever make a WNBA All-Star team. She ended the weekend as the first to win Most Valuable Player honors as she finished with 25 points, seven assists and a record-tying seven 3-pointers to lead Team Wilson to a 129-126 win over Team Delle Donne in the highest scoring WNBA All-Star Game ever.
More: Past All-Star Game Results
Recent All-Star Hubs: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015
WNBA DRAFT
Sabrina Ionescu of Oregon was selected by the New York Liberty with the first overall pick of WNBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm®, which was held virtually in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Team History: Atlanta | Chicago | Connecticut | Dallas | Indiana | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | Minnesota | New York | Phoenix | Seattle | Washington
Drafts: 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
League Info: All-Time Draft Picks | Past No. 1 Picks Gallery
SEASON AWARDS
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson was named the 2020 WNBA Most Valuable Player. This is the first WNBA Most Valuable Award for Wilson, who was the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year and a WNBA All-Star selection in 2018 and 2019.
Awards Hub: 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
History: Awards History | Past WNBA Player of the Week awards
WNBA20 VIDEO VAULT
To celebrate the league’s 20th season in 2016, WNBA.com gathered elements of the rich history, from the classic games and plays to the iconic players on and off the court. Launch Video Vault
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For 25 years the WNBA has featured the game’s best players and created some of the best moments in women’s basketball history. Take a look back at some of the teams and players that have left their mark on this league.
All-Time Leaders: Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | Steals | 3-Pointers Made