Draft 2026

Which collegiate program has produced the most players drafted into the WNBA over the league’s 30 years? What about first-round picks? What about No. 1 overall picks? What about players who went on to become league MVPs? How about Finals MVPs?
If you ever see any of those trivia questions, don’t worry. We have the answers to all of them and more!
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most overall WNBA Draft picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-183309 aligncenter" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1.png" alt="" width="960" height="688" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1-300x215.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1-768x550.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The two schools at the top of this list should come as no surprise as they have been the preeminent collegiate programs over the 30-year history of the WNBA – the University of Connecticut and the University of Tennessee each with over 45 players drafted into the WNBA.
Geno Auriemma has been at the helm at UConn for the entirety of the WNBA’s existence, beginning his tenure in 1985 and leading the Huskies to 12 NCAA championships. The Connecticut program has sent 52 players to the league and produced some of the best players in WNBA history, highlighted by No. 1 overall draft picks Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011), and Breanna Stewart (2016).
The late Pat Summitt led Tennessee until 2012, winning eight national championships and sending plenty of Lady Volunteers to the WNBA. Of the 46 WNBA players drafted out of Tennessee, 29 came during Summitt’s tenure, including a pair of No. 1 overall picks in Chamique Holdsclaw (1999) and Candace Parker (2008).
Below is the list of the top nine schools and one country that have sent the most players to the WNBA via the draft (excluding the 1997 WNBA Elite Draft.)
<ul>
<li>UConn: 52 players</li>
<li>Tennessee: 46 players</li>
<li>Stanford: 31 players</li>
<li>Duke: 28 players</li>
<li>Baylor: 26 players</li>
<li>Australia: 26 players</li>
<li>South Carolina: 25 players</li>
<li>LSU: 25 players</li>
<li>Notre Dame: 24 players</li>
<li>Georgia: 24 players</li>
</ul>
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<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools producing the most first-round draft picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258773" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
When looking at schools that have delivered the most first-round draft picks, there&#8217;s a change from the list of most overall draft picks.
UConn, Tennessee and Stanford remain in first, second and third place, respectively. South Carolina enters the conversation after touting two players in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, bringing their total to 15 to round out the top four. Duke and Baylor are tied for fifth place with 11 players.
<ul>
<li>Connecticut: 29 players (last in 2026 – Azzi Fudd, No. 1, DAL)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 21 players (last in 2024 – Rickea Jackson, No. 4, LAS)</li>
<li>Stanford: 15 players (last in 2024 – Cameron Brink, No. 2, LAS)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 15 players (last in 2026 – Madina Okot, No. 13, ATL)</li>
<li>Duke: 11 players (last in 2018 – Lexie Brown, No. 9, CON)</li>
<li>Baylor: 11 players (last in 2022 – Queen Egbo, No. 10, IND)</li>
</ul>
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<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools producing the most No. 1 overall picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183311 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1.png" alt="Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird pictured during a WNBA All-Star game" width="940" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1.png 940w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1-300x204.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1-768x523.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" />
UConn holds a commanding lead with seven first-overall picks. South Carolina joins Notre Dame, Stanford, and Tennessee, with two players going first overall and holding a four-way tie for second place.
<table style="height: 120px;width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px;text-align: center">SCHOOL</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px;text-align: center">NO.</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px;text-align: center">NAME</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px;text-align: center">YEAR</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px;text-align: center">TEAM</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">UConn</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">7</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Sue Bird 
Diana Taurasi 
Tina Charles 
Maya Moore 
Breanna Stewart 
Paige Bueckers 
Azzi Fudd</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2002 
2004 
2010 
2011 
2016 
2025 
2026</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Seattle 
Phoenix 
Connecticut 
Minnesota 
Seattle 
Dallas 
Dallas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 19.9782%">South Carolina</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%">Aliyah Boston 
A&#8217;ja Wilson</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%">2023 
2018</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%">Indiana 
Las Vegas</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Notre Dame</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Jewell Loyd 
Jackie Young</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2015 
2019</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Seattle 
Las Vegas</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Stanford</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Nneka Ogwumike 
Chiney Ogwumike</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2012 
2014</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Los Angeles 
Connecticut</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Tennessee</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Chamique Holdsclaw 
Candace Parker</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">1999 
2008</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Washington 
Los Angeles</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools with multiple players selected in the first round</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258740" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="642" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-1536x1027.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-2048x1369.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Back to trivia time. What was the only occasion in which a school had three players taken with the first three overall picks (1-2-3) in the WNBA Draft?
The answer is the 2016 Draft when UConn teammates Breanna Stewart (No. 1, Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (No. 2, San Antonio), and Morgan Tuck (No. 3, Connecticut) were the first three names called to the stage that night.
There have been four occasions in which the first two players selected came from the same school:
<ul>
<li>USC (1997): Tina Thompson (1 / Houston), Pam McGee (2 / Sacramento)</li>
<li>UConn (2002): Sue Bird (1 / Seattle), Swin Cash (2 / Detroit)</li>
<li>UConn (2016): Breanna Stewart (1 / Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (2 / San Antonio)</li>
<li>Oregon (2020): Sabrina Ionescu (1 / New York), Satou Sabally (2 / Dallas)</li>
</ul>
Just a week after winning the program&#8217;s first National Championship, UCLA made history in the 2026 WNBA Draft as the first team to have five first-round selections, and the first with six players selected in one draft. Lauren Betts (No. 4), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5) and Kiki Rice (No. 6) were taken in a three-pick run, with Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15) closing out the First Round and Charlise Leger-Walker (No. 18) rounding out the Lady Bruins&#8217; six selections in the Second Round.
In 2002, UConn produced four first-round picks when Sue Bird led four Huskies selected with the first six picks in the draft – Bird (No. 1, Seattle), Swin Cash (No. 2, Detroit), Asjha Jones (No. 4, Washington) and Tamika Williams (No. 6, Minnesota).
Seven schools and one country have seen three players selected in the first round of a single WNBA Draft. UConn and South Carolina have seen three players drafted in the first round twice.
<ul>
<li>South Carolina
<ul>
<li> (2023) Aliyah Boston (No. 1, Indiana), Laeticia Amihere (No. 8, Atlanta), Zia Cooke (No. 11, Los Angeles)</li>
<li>(2017) Alaina Coates (No. 2, Chicago), Allisha Davis (No. 4, Dallas), Kaela Davis (No. 10, Dallas)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Oregon 
<ul>
<li>(2020): Sabrina Ionescu (No. 1, New York), Satou Sabally (No. 2, Dallas), Ruthy Hebard (No. 8, Chicago)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Notre Dame 
<ul>
<li>(2019): Jackie Young (No. 1, Las Vegas), Arike Ogunbowale (No. 5, Dallas), Brianna Turner (No. 11, Atlanta)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UConn:
<ul>
<li>(2018): Gabby Williams (No. 4, Chicago), Azurá Stevens (No. 6, Dallas), Kia Nurse (No. 10, New York)</li>
<li> (2016): Breanna Stewart (No. 1, Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (No. 2, San Antonio), Morgan Tuck (No. 3, Connecticut)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Tennessee 
<ul>
<li>(2012): Shekinna Stricklen (No. 2, Seattle), Glory Johnson (No. 4, Tulsa), Kelly Cain (No. 7, New York)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Oklahoma 
<ul>
<li>(2002): Stacey Dales-Schuman (No. 3, Washington), LaNeishea Caufield (No. 14, Utah), Rosalind Ross (No. 16, Los Angeles)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Australia 
<ul>
<li>(2001): Lauren Jackson (No. 1, Seattle), Penny Taylor (No. 11, Cleveland), Kristen Veal (No. 13, Phoenix)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Georgia 
<ul>
<li>(2001): Kelly Miller (No. 2, Charlotte), Deanna Nolan (No. 6, Detroit), Coco Miller (No. 9, Washington)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">The NCAA Title / No. 1 WNBA Pick Double</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258772" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
With the WNBA Draft being held just days after the conclusion of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, prospects have a chance to pull off an incredible double – finish their collegiate career by winning the NCAA national championship, then begin their professional career as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.
That feat has been accomplished six times in WNBA history, most recently by Paige Bueckers, who won her collegiate championship at Connecticut on April 6, 2025, and was drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings just eight days later.
<ul>
<li>Sue Bird (UConn, 2002) – drafted first overall by Seattle</li>
<li>Diana Taurasi (UConn, 2004) – drafted first overall by Phoenix</li>
<li>Candace Parker (Tennessee, 2008) – drafted first overall by Los Angeles</li>
<li>Tina Charles (UConn, 2010) – drafted first overall by Connecticut</li>
<li>Breanna Stewart (UConn, 2016) – drafted first overall by Seattle</li>
<li>Paige Bueckers (UConn, 2025) – drafted first overall by Dallas</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most WNBA league MVPs</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183314 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa.png" alt="three-time WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie representing USC" width="940" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa.png 940w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa-300x204.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa-768x523.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" />
Three schools have produced multiple players to win the WNBA League Most Valuable Player honors. Connecticut leads the way with four players winning MVP, but UConn and USC are tied with 5 total MVP awards.
<ul>
<li>USC: 2 players, 5 MVPs – Cynthia Cooper (1997, 1998), Lisa Leslie (2001, 2004, 2006)</li>
<li>Connecticut: 4 players, 5 MVPs – Diana Taurasi (2009), Tina Charles (2012), Maya Moore (2014), Breanna Stewart (2018, 2023)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 2 players, 3 MVPs – Candace Parker (2008, 2013), Tamika Catchings (2011)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 1 player, 4 MVPs &#8211; A&#8217;ja Wilson (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025)</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most WNBA Finals MVPs</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183317 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP.png" alt="2x WNBA Finals MVP Lisa Leslie representing USC" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP-300x200.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP-768x512.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
USC, UConn, and Tennessee are all represented on this list of MVPs as well, but they get some company from LSU and Rutgers, who each produced a pair of Finals MVPs. USC holds the mark for the most Finals MVPs as Cynthia Cooper (1997-2000) and Lisa Leslie (2001-02) combined to win the first six in WNBA history.
<ul>
<li>USC: 2 players, 6 Finals MVPs – Cynthia Cooper (1997-2000), Lisa Leslie (2001-02)</li>
<li>Connecticut: 3 players, 5 Finals MVPs – Diana Taurasi (2009, 2014), Maya Moore (2013), Breanna Stewart (2018, 2020)</li>
<li>LSU: 2 players, 3 Finals MVPs – Seimone Augustus (2011), Sylvia Fowles (2015, 2017)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 2 players, 2 Finals MVPs – Tamika Catchings (2012), Candace Parker (2016)</li>
<li>Rutgers: 2 players, 2 Finals MVPs – Cappie Pondexter (2007), Kahleah Copper (2021)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 1 player, 2 Finals MVPs – A&#8217;ja Wilson (2023, 2025)</li>
</ul>

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From College to the W: Which Schools Make History in the League?

Free Agency 2026

<div class="_Article__story_1s89h_50">
The following is a press release from the Las Vegas Aces:
LAS VEGAS (April 15, 2026)–Las Vegas Aces president and GM Nikki Fargas, announced today that the team has re-signed four-time WNBA M’VP A’ja Wilson, who was instrumental in the Aces earning three WNBA titles over the past four seasons. With the re-signing of Wilson, the Aces officially return 90% of their scoring power (75.5 of 83.6 ppg) from 2025.
“A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today,” Fargas said. “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.”
“YKWTFGO,” stated Wilson, who closed 2025 as the only player in W history to earn M’VP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals M’VP and lead the league in scoring in the same season.
Wilson in 2025 also became the only player in history to collect a fourth WNBA M’VP honor. She also took home the M’VP trophy in 2020, 2022 and 2024. She is a two-time WNBA Finals M’VP, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time All-Star, six-time All-WNBA selection and a five-time All-Defensive Team member. Further, Wilson earned 13 Western Conference Player of the Month, 28 Western Conference Player of the Week and three WNBA Rookie of the Month honors.
Wilson averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.3 blocks for the Aces during the 2025 regular and 26.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.5 blocked shots in her 12 playoff games in leading the Aces to their third title in four years. Additionally, Wilson posted averages of 25.3 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.6 spg and 2.3 bpg during the Aces incredible 16-0 winning streak to close out the season.
In addition to her multitude of awards, Wilson is the <a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/stat-Kekmn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">only player in league history</a> to average at least 20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocked shots and 1 steal per game. And she did so twice – in 2024 and 2025. She also is the <a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/stat-mZizX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first player in league history to post a 30/20 game</a> after scoring 32 points and grabbing 20 caroms against Connecticut on Aug. 10, 2025, and is one of just <a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/stat-XJXcV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four players in history to record multiple 20/20 games</a>.
In all, Wilson’s 5,719 career points ranks No. 21 among all-time WNBA scoring leaders and she is currently No. 18 for rebounds (2,494), No. 13 for defensive boards (1,971), No. 9 for blocked shots (533) and No. 17 for stocks (868), after playing in just 267 games, which doesn’t even rank among the top 100 for games played in league history.
A two-time Olympic and two-time FIBA World Cup gold medalist, Wilson earned an additional three gold medals playing for USA Basketball junior teams at the 2013 and 2015 FIBA U19 World Cups and the 2014 FIBA U18 AmeriCup. The three-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (2015, 2022, 2024) earned M’VP honors at the 2022 World Cup, 2015 U19s and 2014 U18s.
The No. 1 Draft pick out of South Carolina in 2018; the Columbia, South Carolina, native has played the entirety of her career in the Sports &amp; Entertainment Capital of the World. In her first year, Wilson averaged 20.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 1.7 bpg en route to earning 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year honors and over her eight seasons in the W, Wilson boasts career averages of 21.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg and 2.0 bpg.
Wilson’s WNBA league career rankings heading into the 2026 season:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/ppgPzgxr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1st in points per game (21.4 ppg)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/rebpgCpmpz">3rd in rebounds per game (9.3 rpg)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/pts20Njnrb">3rd in 20+ point games (162)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/pts30Ldybd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2nd in 30+ point games (37)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/drebpgRezuw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1st in defensive rebounds per game (7.4 rpg)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/bpgZkehr">4th for blocks per game (2.0 bpg)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/blocksWzngf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9th in total blocks (933)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/fgmpgQbdgm">1st in field goals made per game (7.8)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/twopmpgQtcvq">1st in 2-point field goals made per game (7.5)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/ftmpgMdkrd">2nd in free throws made per game (5.5)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/doubledoublesRaiba">5th in double-doubles (120)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://u.acrossthetimeline.com/stat-RvjCY">1st in 30-point double-doubles (26)</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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Las Vegas Aces Re-Sign Three-Time World Champion, Four-Time WNBA M’VP A’ja Wilson

Editorial

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2026 Free Agents to Watch

Player News

A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston cemented South Carolina as a national powerhouse, each leading the Gamecocks to an NCAA Championship and earning multiple National Player of the Year honors during their respective tenures.
As the only two players in program history to be selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft, their combined dominance in the paint redefined the standard of excellence. Take a look back at Boston and Wilson&#8217;s runs at South Carolina.
<hr />
<h2>A&#8217;ja Wilson (2014-2018)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257505" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257505" class="wp-image-257505" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-663891584-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-663891584-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-663891584-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-663891584-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-663891584-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-663891584-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-663891584-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />A&#8217;ja Wilson #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks holds the NCAA trophy and celebrates with her team after winning the championship game against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs of the 2017 NCAA Women&#8217;s Final Four</div>
A’ja Wilson’s collegiate career at South Carolina was lamented with accolades, including being a 4x First Team All-SEC selection and a 3x SEC Player of the Year from 2016 to 2018. During that same period, she was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team three times and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016 and 2018.
In 2017, Wilson led the program to the NCAA Championship and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in the win over Mississippi State. By 2018, she received the Naismith College Player of the Year, the AP National Player of the Year, and the John R. Wooden Award. 
Wilson&#8217;s No. 22 jersey was subsequently retired by the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2025.
Collegiate performance spotlight:
2017 Sweet 16: 24 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL
2017 National Championship:  23 PTS, 10 REB, 4 BLK
2018 Round of 32: 25 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK
2018 Sweet 16: 20 PTS, 13 REB, 3 BLK
<hr />
<h2>Aliyah Boston (2019-2023)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257492" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257492" class="wp-image-257492" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1389403314-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1389403314-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1389403314-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1389403314-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1389403314-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1389403314-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1389403314-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />Aliyah Boston #4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks holds a national champions sign after defeating the UConn Huskies 64-49 during the 2022 NCAA Women&#8217;s Basketball Tournament National Championship game</div>
Aliyah Boston’s career at South Carolina was marked by consistent statistical production and defensive output. She hit the ground running as she posted the first triple-double by a freshman in program history and the first by any NCAA Division I player in her debut with the Gamecocks in 2019.
In 2022, Boston was the recipient of the John R. Wooden Award and the AP Player of the Year award. During that same postseason, she led the program to the 2022 NCAA Championship and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player after South Carolina&#8217;s win over Connecticut.
From 2020 to 2023, she was a 4x AP All-American, a 4x First-team All-SEC selection, and a 4x SEC All-Defensive Team member.
Collegiate performance spotlight:
2022 Sweet 16: 28 PTS, 22 REB, 2 AST
2022 Final Four:  23 PTS, 18 REB, 4 AST
2022 National Championship: 11 PTS, 16 REB, 3 AST
2023 Elite Eight: 22 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST

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Collegiate Spotlight: University of South Carolina

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A'ja Wilson Pours in 36 Points

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A'ja Wilson Drops Season-High 37 Points

Leslie threw down the WNBA’s first in‑game dunk on July 30, 2002, in a matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Miami Sol. 

First WNBA Dunk: Lisa Leslie

Jackson made history as the first international WNBA MVP in 2003, starring for the Seattle Storm during her award‑winning season.

First International MVP: Lauren Jackson

Brunson became the first player in league history to win five championships, earning one with the Sacramento Monarchs (2005) and four with the Minnesota Lynx (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017).

First to Five Rings: Rebekkah Brunson

Delle Donne completed the league’s first‑ever 50‑40‑90 shooting season on September 8, 2019, during a Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky matchup.

First WNBA Player to Join Exclusive 50-40-90 Club: Elena Delle Donne

Taurasi hit her 10,000‑point milestone from the three‑point line on August 3, 2023, in a Phoenix Mercury 91–71 win over the Atlanta Dream.

First Player to Reach 10k Career Points: Diana Taurasi

Ionescu faced Stephen Curry in the historic NBA vs. WNBA 3‑Point Challenge on February 17, 2024 at All‑Star Weekend in Indianapolis, scoring 26 points in the duel.

First WNBA Player to go head-to-head with NBA player at 3PT contest: Sabrina Ionescu

Clark recorded the first triple‑double by a rookie on July 6, 2024, posting 19‑12‑13 in an 83–78 win vs. the New York Liberty.

First Rookie to Record a Triple-Double: Caitlin Clark

Wilson earned her record‑breaking fourth MVP award on September 21, 2025, after a dominant season with the Las Vegas Aces.

First 4x MVP: A’ja Wilson

Photo Gallery

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		<h2>Gallery Block</h2>
	</div>

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Women's History Month: She Did it First

Black History Month

A&#8217;ja Wilson&#8217;s eight-year run in the league has been nothing short of phenomenal. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick has built her career into a yearly showcase of Black history not just in the WNBA, but basketball altogether.
Take a look at Wilson’s era of dominance, shattering records and becoming the W’s only 4x MVP.
In 2018, the Las Vegas Aces selected A’ja Wilson with the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft. In her debut season, Wilson averaged 20.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, resulting in her selection as the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year and a member of the WNBA All-Rookie Team. 
<div id="attachment_206582" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-206582" class="wp-image-206582" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/GettyImages-945489510-scaled.jpg" alt="A'ja Wilson after being selected #1 by the Las Vegas Aces during the WNBA Draft 2018 on April 12, 2018." width="960" height="639" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/GettyImages-945489510-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/GettyImages-945489510-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/GettyImages-945489510-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/GettyImages-945489510-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/GettyImages-945489510-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/GettyImages-945489510-2048x1363.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />A&#8217;ja Wilson after being selected #1 by the Las Vegas Aces during the WNBA Draft 2018 on April 12, 2018.</div>
Her statistical production continued over subsequent seasons, leading to back-to-back WNBA championships with the Aces in 2022 and 2023. During this period, she earned two WNBA Most Valuable Player awards (2020, 2022) and consecutive Defensive Player of the Year honors (2022, 2023). 
During the 2024 season, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to score 1,000 points in a single regular season. She finished the year leading the league in total points (1,021) and blocks (98), while ranking second in rebounds (451), which led to her third career MVP award. In 2025, Wilson secured her fourth WNBA MVP, surpassing the previous record of three held by Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. That same year, she shared the Defensive Player of the Year award with Alanna Smith and led the Las Vegas Aces to their third championship in four seasons, where she was also named the WNBA Finals MVP. 
As of the conclusion of the 2025 season, the 29-year-old Wilson holds the WNBA record for the most career MVP awards (4) and is the only player in league history to win a scoring title, a league championship, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in a single season. Her 2025 statistical averages included 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, making her the first player to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in multiple seasons. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-206577" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/accolades.png" alt="" width="1440" height="1880" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/accolades.png 1440w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/accolades-230x300.png 230w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/accolades-784x1024.png 784w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/accolades-768x1003.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/02/accolades-1177x1536.png 1177w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" />

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Black History Month Player Spotlight: A'ja Wilson

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2-pointer by A'ja Wilson

Season Preview

The stage is set for the league’s 30th season! 
Following a historic 2025 season highlighted by the Golden State Valkyries’ debut, A’ja Wilson’s KIA MVP run and the Las Vegas Aces’ third WNBA title in four years, Season 30 is set to tip off on Friday, May 8, 2026.  
With the 2026 WNBA Draft (tune in to ESPN on April 13 at 7:30 pm ET!) and the debut of two additional expansion teams on the horizon, the momentum is high. Check out some of the early storylines and key dates to look out for in the action-packed 2026 WNBA Schedule.  
<hr />
<h2>Season 30 Tips Off  </h2>
The WNBA enters its landmark 30th season with WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax on Friday, May 8, with a three-game slate. The action continues through the weekend with an additional three games on Saturday, May 9 and five games on Sunday, May 10, to kick off the 44-game regular season. 
Full weekend schedule: 
Friday, May 8 (3 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7:30 pm ET: Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7:30 pm ET: Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">10 pm ET: Golden State Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm </li>
</ul>
Saturday, May 9 (3 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">1 pm ET: Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">3:30 pm ET: Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">9 pm ET: Chicago Sky vs. Portland Fire </li>
</ul>
Sunday, May 10 (5 games) 
<ul>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">1 PM ET: Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">3 PM ET: New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7 PM ET: Las Vegas Aces vs. Los Angeles Sparks </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">7 PM ET: Atlanta Dream vs. Minnesota Lynx </li>
<li data-ccp-border-top="0px none " data-ccp-padding-top="0px" data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">8:30 PM ET: Phoenix Mercury vs. Golden State Valkyries </li>
</ul>
Season 30 is also highlighted with a rematch of the league’s inaugural game in 1997, with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the New York Liberty on Sunday, June 21, on the anniversary of the original matchup.
<hr />
<h2>The Home Debuts: Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo </h2>
The league is expanding to a 15-team field with the highly anticipated debut of the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. Each team will make their home debut during the weekend of WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax. 
Toronto: Friday, May 8 at 7:30 pm ET vs. Washington Mystics 
Portland: Saturday, May 9 at 9 pm ET vs. Chicago Sky 
<hr />
<h2>Aces Begin Back-to-Back Campaign, Revenge for the Mercury </h2>
The 2025 WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces will begin their campaign for another back-to-back title (previously taking home the chip in 2022 and 2023) with their first home game on Saturday, May 9, hosting a 2025 WNBA Finals rematch against the Phoenix Mercury. The teams will face-off four times this season: 
Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury matchups: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 pm ET (@ Las Vegas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Wednesday, June 17 at 10 pm ET (@ Phoenix) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, July 11 at 4 pm ET (@ Las Vegas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Thursday, September 24 at 10 pm ET (@ Phoenix) </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Battle of the No. 1 Picks </h2>
2023 and 2024 No. 1 overall picks Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are the Indiana Fever’s dynamic duo. Soon, the newest top selection in the 2026 WNBA Draft will join the Dallas Wings and team up with the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers. The rookie duos will match up three times, with the first game coming Saturday, May 9. 
Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever matchups: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Saturday, May 9 at 2 pm ET (@ Dallas) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Friday, August 14 at 7:30 pm ET (@ Indiana) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Thursday, August 20 at 8 pm ET (@ Dallas) </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Commissioner&#8217;s Cup Presented by Coinbase</h2>
The sixth annual WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase in-season tournament will take place Monday, June 1 through Wednesday, June 17. The Dallas Wings will kick off the two-game slate on opening night hosting the inaugural cup champions, the Seattle Storm. Following cup play, the top teams from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference will go head-to-head in the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship. Who will be crowned the next Cup champion? 
<hr />
<h2 data-ccp-border-bottom="1px solid #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="1.3333333333333333px">AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2026 takes Chicago<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335572071&quot;:6,&quot;335572072&quot;:1,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:6,&quot;335572080&quot;:1,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;single&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}"> </h2>
The W is heading back to the Windy City! AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2026 will take place Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25, hosted by the Chicago Sky.<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335572071&quot;:6,&quot;335572072&quot;:1,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:6,&quot;335572080&quot;:1,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;single&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}"> 
<hr />
<h2>Additional Key Dates: </h2>
Monday, August 31 – Wednesday, September 16: FIBA break 
Thursday, September 24: Last day of regular season 
Stay tuned for more updates around WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally, the 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel and WNBA Finals dates!

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2026 WNBA Schedule Release: Key Dates and What to Know 

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A'ja Wilson

Career Highlights
<ul>
<li>2025, 2023 &amp; 2022 WNBA Champion</li>
<li>2025, 2024, 2022 &amp; 2020 WNBA M’VP</li>
<li>2025 &amp; 2023 WNBA Finals M’VP</li>
<li>2025 WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year</li>
<li>2023 &amp; 2022 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year</li>
<li>2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 &amp; 2020 All-WNBA First Team</li>
<li>2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019 &amp; 2018 WNBA All-Star</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://aces.wnba.com/aja-wilson-bio/">Click here for more on A’ja Wilson, including season-by-season, international, college and personal notes.</a>

A'ja Wilson signed a Contract with the Las Vegas Aces.

Officially signs three-year deal

Set to remain with Las Vegas

MVP season with Aces in 2025

Drops 31 in Game 4

Hits game-winner in Game 3

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