Editorial

2026-free-agents-to-watch

2026 Free Agents to Watch

Press Release

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&#8211;The Multi-Brand Partnership Spotlights the Elite Performance and Influence of WNBA Athletes&#8211;
 CINCINNATI, OH – April 7, 2026 – Procter &amp; Gamble and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced a multi-year, multi-brand partnership, marking a bold new chapter in how P&amp;G and its brands show up across sports and culture. The partnership creates a platform for P&amp;G brands to engage with professional women’s basketball at a defining moment – as the game, its athletes, fans, and influence are reaching new heights.
Building on the success of P&amp;G brand Mielle’s multi-year partnership with the WNBA – launched in July 2023 as the league’s first Official Textured Hair Care Partner – P&amp;G is expanding its presence with a broader portfolio commitment. Secret – the No. 1 Clinical antiperspirant brand – and Olay – the award-winning skincare brand – were the first P&amp;G brands to activate under the new partnership. Their entrance into women’s basketball launched with product created in collaboration with WNBA stars A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) and Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings).
“The WNBA is experiencing incredible growth, and this partnership is a powerful opportunity for our brands to show up in ways that celebrate the game and reach the WNBA’s highly engaged, passionate, and diverse fanbase,” said Mindy Sherwood, President of North America and Chief Sales Officer, Procter &amp; Gamble. “There is a natural alignment between the elite performance of WNBA athletes, and the superior performance P&amp;G brands deliver, and together, we can elevate both.”
As the Official Period Care Sponsor of the WNBA, Tampax will be the next brand to leverage the league’s premier platforms, beginning with the WNBA Draft 2026 Presented by State Street Investment Management SPY. At the heart of the WNBA Draft experience is the Queens Court activation, presented by Tampax.  As a celebration of achievement, resilience, and the power of women in sport, Queens Court is a unique, interactive space where players and draft attendees alike can celebrate the moment and embrace the spirit of confidence and empowerment Tampax provides all women to perform at their best.
Additional P&amp;G brands – including Downy, Gillette Venus, Olay, and Tide – will introduce activations throughout the season, leveraging the WNBA’s growing cultural impact to engage fans in meaningful ways. P&amp;G will collaborate with the WNBA to exchange brand equity across marketing, retail, and digital.
“Partnering with Procter &amp; Gamble connects the WNBA with one of the world’s most trusted brand leaders at a transformative time for our league,” said WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison. “Together, we have an opportunity to reach tens of millions of households, elevate the incredible stories of WNBA players, and bring world-class brands and athletes together in ways that authentically connect with fans, drive meaningful engagement, and continue to expand the visibility of women’s basketball.”
Through partnership, P&amp;G brands are investing in the continued growth of the game by amplifying player storylines, engaging fans, and driving retail growth.
Additional details on brand activations and storytelling moments will be announced throughout the 2026 WNBA season.

wnba-procter-and-gamble-partnership

P&G Enters New Era in Sports as Official Partner of the WNBA

Season 30

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258106" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/30logo.png" alt="" width="250" height="117" />
– Campaign Anchored by Three Films Showcasing Greatness, Rising Stars and 
Championship Moments –
– Court Origins Nights and Legacy Trail Merchandise Program Celebrate the League’s Roots – 
– Top 30 Plays to Honor the Most Iconic Moments in WNBA History –
NEW YORK, April 7, 2026 – The WNBA today launched its 30th season celebration, honoring three decades of impact while spotlighting the league’s accelerating momentum ahead of the 2026 season tip-off on Friday, May 8.
The WNBA will also introduce several initiatives tied to the milestone 30th season, including the WNBA Legacy Trail merchandise program, campaign films, a Top 30 Plays series and Court Origins programming featuring WNBA Court Origins Nights.
“Season 30 arrives at the perfect transformational moment in our league’s history – marking both a defining milestone and the beginning of a new era for the WNBA,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “The unprecedented growth and momentum we’re experiencing today is the result of three decades of commitment – from players, teams, fans, partners, and investors. As we step into this next dynamic era together, Season 30 is tracking to be our most memorable yet – celebrating both how far we’ve come while highlighting the limitless opportunities ahead as we continue to elevate women’s basketball to new heights.”
Season 30 will recognize those who built the WNBA, engage longtime and new fans, and set the stage for the league’s next era. A commemorative Season 30 logo will appear on courts, game balls and jerseys throughout the season.
“As we tip off our historic 30th season, we’re bringing fans closer to the WNBA than ever before through bold, creative, and immersive storytelling,” said WNBA Chief Marketing Officer Phil Cook. “We’re building a season-long platform of activations, collaborations, and fan-first experiences designed to engage the WNBA family wherever they are. Season 30 will be our most ambitious and innovative marketing campaign ever – one that matches the current momentum of the WNBA.”
Select initiatives for the WNBA’s historic 30th season include the following:
&nbsp;
 Season 30 Campaign 
The league will recognize the WNBA’s 30th season through an integrated brand campaign. The campaign tagline is “There’s More Where Thirty Came From,” signifying that the WNBA’s 30-year journey is a continuous narrative of progress and cultural impact. The WNBA will premiere three films as part of its Season 30 campaign: Raising GOATs, Signatures and Confetti.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=7NYAVFjDDJQIfy0f&amp;v=y2XBV0N8Cz4&amp;feature=youtu.be">Raising GOATs</a> debuting today, explores what defines greatness in the WNBA. Signatures will spotlight emerging All-Stars who are shaping the game’s future. Confetti will close the season with a tribute to the championship moment. These films will be amplified across broadcast, digital, social, and experiential touchpoints, and supported by fan activations throughout the season.
 WNBA Court Origins and WNBA Court Origins Nights
WNBA Court Origins, the league’s first-ever retro program, will mark 30 seasons through a curated collection of storytelling, merchandise and live experiences. The program will be highlighted by “WNBA Court Origins Nights” which connect generations of players and fans while revisiting the league’s earliest years.
WNBA Court Origins Nights will feature nationally televised games involving three of the league’s original franchises – the New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury. The throwback matchups will turn back the clock to the WNBA’s 1997 inaugural season, with on-court elements, in-arena moments and broadcast presentations designed to reflect the league’s original era.
WNBA Court Origins Nights will immerse fans in a full-scale celebration of the WNBA’s beginnings, featuring WNBA Nike Court Origins Edition uniforms and warm-ups, and a WNBA Wilson Court Origins Edition game ball with 1997-era branding.
 
 WNBA Legacy Trail 
The WNBA Legacy Trail is a fan-centric merchandise program designed to showcase the league’s history while recognizing the players, fans, staff and defining moments that have shaped the WNBA.
The program will feature product drops honoring the league’s 30th season. On the 30th of each month during the season, a new licensee collaboration will be unveiled, with purchase availability dates to follow.
All items will be available through the licensees’ direct-to-consumer channels and other participating retail partners. Fans will be able to follow the WNBA Legacy Trail all season, tracking each product release as it is announced.
Fans can look forward to three initial product drops in April featuring La Crema on April 9, Nike on April 13 and Mitchell &amp; Ness on April 15, with each collection officially revealed on its launch day.
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 WNBA Top 30 Plays
The WNBA Top 30 Plays is a content special honoring the most iconic on-court plays in league history. From unforgettable displays of athleticism to culturally resonant milestones to game-changing brilliance, the series will highlight plays that have defined three generations of professional women’s basketball in the United States.
A distinguished panel of former WNBA players, coaches and influential voices from across entertainment will help guide the selection process, bringing both basketball expertise and cultural perspective. Each play will be evaluated across several criteria, including historical impact, athleticism, game context, player legacy, fan reaction, visual appeal and era representation, ensuring a comprehensive look at the moments that have moved the game forward.
The WNBA Top 30 Plays will be a produced long-form special, which will feature the full countdown of plays and conversation amongst the panel of their significance, and will premiere this season on the WNBA App with additional clips and BTS on WNBA social.
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About the WNBA 
Tipping off its historic 30th season in 2026, the WNBA continues to be one of the fastest-growing brands in sports, fueled by record-breaking momentum and unprecedented growth. Having reached a tentative agreement on a new transformational Collective Bargaining Agreement in March 2026, the league enters a bold new chapter focused on elevating the player experience, increased investment, and growing women’s basketball globally. The WNBA’s dedication to societal impact is supported by the WNBA Changemakers Collective (Ally, AT&amp;T, CarMax, Deloitte, Google, and Nike), a first-of-its-kind group of purpose-driven companies working to empower players and the league, increase visibility, and drive business transformation.
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WNBA Launches 30th Season Celebration Honoring League's Past, Present and Future

Free Agency 2026

Season 30 is officially here and ushering in a significant shift across the league, so let’s dive into decoding the terminology and principles behind that shift. The language of the collective bargaining agreement and the offseason can be complex. By breaking it down, we can cultivate a better appreciation of what the free agency period entails. 
With the 2026 league calendar now underway, it’s important to note the different types of Free Agents and their accompanying important dates. 
<hr />
<h2>2026 Key dates to know: </h2>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&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">April 6-7: Designation Period (Qualifying Offers and Core Player Designations must be sent) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&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">April 8-10: Negotiation Period </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&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">April 11: Signings may commence </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) </h2>
A UFA is a player who can negotiate with any team during the free agency period without hindrance. 
<hr />
<h2>Restricted Free Agents (RFA) </h2>
An RFA is a player with four years of service whose contract has expired and who receives a qualifying offer from their previous team. 
A player who is out of contract and has four years of service in the WNBA (coming off their fourth-year team option in a Rookie Scale contract, or otherwise), the team can send a Restricted Qualifying Offer to the player. If the team decides not to offer a Qualifying Offer (QO), the player will be an Unrestricted Free Agent. 
RFAs can negotiate an offer sheet with a team other than their last team. However, that player’s prior team has a “Right of First Refusal” (the team can match the offer sheet). If the team matches the offer sheet, the player is deemed to have signed a contract with the original team on the terms agreed upon in the offer sheet. 
(Offer sheets must be for a multi-year contract.) 
<hr />
<h2>Reserved Players </h2>
Any player who is out of contract with three years of service or fewer will become a Reserved Player if their previous team extends them a Reserved Qualifying Offer and thus would be subject to that team’s exclusive negotiating rights. 
If the club declines to offer the player a contract, they will become a UFA. 
<hr />
<h2>Core Players </h2>
You’ve probably heard of the term “Coring a Player,” think of it almost as the WNBA’s version of a franchise tag. An organization can, at maximum, have one veteran free agent whom they have cored on their roster at any one time. 
A Core Qualifying Offer is a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax that both UFA and RFA’s are eligible for.  
If a player receives a Core Designation, the team that designates them as such is the only team with which a player can sign or negotiate a contract during the free agency period. But the team and player can still negotiate a move elsewhere via a sign-and-trade agreement if both parties desire. 
<hr />
The number of standard players that any team can roster is 12, while each team can have two developmental players. If a team is below 12 standard players during the regular season, they have 72 hours from the date of the roster move that sets them below to fill out the roster. However, certain exceptions granted by the league can allow a team to exceed 12 standard players. 
As free agency and the off-season simultaneously heat up, it’s worth keeping these essential rules and principles in mind! 
Be sure to keep up with all signings, moves, and news with us as it unfolds!

2026-wnba-free-agency-decoded

2026 WNBA Free Agency: Decoded 

The following is a press release from the Chicago Sky:
CHICAGO (April 6, 2026) — The Chicago Sky are trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, the team announced today.
“The Sky are trading Angel to the Dream in exchange for two first-round picks. This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties,” General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said.
“Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky,” Pagliocca added. “We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league and this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond. We wish Angel all the best in her next chapter.”
In the trade, the Sky are getting a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick from the Dream and are sending a second-round pick swap in 2028.
Reese was drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Sky. In 64 career appearances with the Sky, Reese averaged 14.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and was a two-time All-Star.
As a result of the trade, the Sky have five first-round picks in the next three seasons. They hold first-round picks in 2026 (No. 5 overall, via Connecticut), 2027 (own, Washington holds swap rights; via Atlanta), and 2028 (own, via Atlanta).
The Sky’s 2026 regular season kicks off on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m. CST on the road in Moda Center against the expansion Portland Fire.

chicago-sky-trade-angel-reese-to-atlanta-dream

Chicago Sky Trade Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, Acquire Draft Picks

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NEW YORK, Apr. 5, 2026 – The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association agreed today that free agency will open tomorrow, April 6, with the start of the Designation Period, the WNBA announced today.
The Negotiation Period will begin on Wednesday, April 8 and continue for three days. Teams and players will first be able to sign new contracts beginning on Saturday, April 11.
2026 WNBA FREE AGENCY TIMELINE
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="129">April 6-7, 2026</td>
<td width="563">Designation Period (Qualifying Offers and Core Player Designations must be sent)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="129">April 8-10, 2026</td>
<td width="563">Negotiation Period</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="129">April 11, 2026</td>
<td width="563">Signings may commence</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
# # #

2026-wnba-free-agency-dates

2026 WNBA Free Agency Dates Set

The WNBA’s next two franchises, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, finally have a roster. 
Both squads participated in a two-round expansion draft on April 3, 2026, picking players from each team in the WNBA except for the Chicago Sky. The Sky, prior to the draft, traded its 17th overall pick to the Fire in exchange for the 21st overall pick, and to prevent the Fire from taking anyone from its team. 
Chicago also sent its 26th overall pick to the Tempo in exchange for Toronto not selecting anyone from its roster. 
That said, every other team was fair game for poaching. Let’s take a look at some of the key players added by both franchises, set to kick off their respective seasons in Season 30.
<hr />
<h2>Toronto Tempo roster:</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258017" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="875" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1.jpg 1080w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_TORONTO_LISTv7-1-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
A huge takeaway from this initial roster is that the Tempo wanted to take shooting and guard depth seriously. Marina Mabrey’s name obviously jumps off the page on that front, although she had a slump-year (27-percent 3PT shooting) with the Connecticut Sun in 2025. However, it’s clear the Tempo value her veteran presence and competitiveness, with Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers <a href="https://x.com/chelsealeite/status/2040162676702126322?s=20">telling reporters</a> following the expansion draft that Mabrey “&#8230;has something you can’t coach, a fierce, competitive nature. That will resonate with this city.”
Aaliyah Nye, who won a championship in her rookie season with the Las Vegas Aces last year, is another sharp-shooter that should be able to contribute immediately with head coach Sandy Brondello likely seeking to surround the teams’ bigs with as much shooting as possible. She averaged just 31.4 percent from three point range, but was coming off a season with the Alabama Crimson Tide where <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aaliyah-nye-1.html">she shot</a> 41.8 percent from long range over four seasons. 
Other players of note from this initial roster include Nyara Sabally, a former member of Brondello’s New York Liberty team, and Julie Allemand, who had a nice bounceback season with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025. 
Sabally has dealt with injury woes in recent years, but when she’s on the floor, she can make a huge impact on the glass. Her contributions to the Liberty’s championship run, and especially in its Finals against the Minnesota Lynx, couldn’t be ignored by Brondello or the Tempo. She averaged 5.4 points per game along with 4.5 rebounds and one block in 17 games played. 
As for Allemand, she’s a Belgian star set to gain another year with major minutes with the Tempo. Her work as a distributor for Los Angeles clearly didn’t go unnoticed by the Tempo’s scouting team, and she’s a great compliment to players like Sabally, Mabrey, and María Conde (assuming the Spanish forward comes over to the WNBA this season). With the Sparks in 2025, she averaged just 5.4 points per game but a solid five assists in 28.3 minutes per game. 
One thing that could really tie this initial roster together is the team honing in on a big in this year’s college draft. The Tempo are selecting 6th overall in this year’s draft, while the Fire select 7th since they picked first in the expansion draft. That could give them a shot at a player like Lauren Betts, who would be an unbelievably great fit with a roster chock-full of great facilitators. 
A worthwhile nugget to mention regarding this initial roster: according to the Tempo’s press release on these selections, the team has taken seven international players, which the <a href="https://tempo.wnba.com/news/toronto-tempo-select-11-players-in-2026-tempo-expansion-draft">team says</a>, “brings a blend of championship experience, international competition at the highest level, and positional versatility as the Tempo begin building their identity in the WNBA.”
<hr />
<h2>Portland Fire roster:</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258016" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST.png" alt="" width="700" height="875" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST.png 1080w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST-240x300.png 240w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST-819x1024.png 819w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/Expansion-Draft-Results-4x5_PORTLAND_LIST-768x960.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /> 
Bridget Carleton, the former Minnesota Lynx forward, was the Fire’s first overall pick and its selection from a list of available unrestricted free agents available in this expansion draft. Each team was allowed to select one UFA, with Mabrey being the Tempo’s pick from that pool. 
Carleton, who was an integral part of Minnesota’s offense from the three point line and as a defender in the paint, could’ve been a fitting addition to Toronto’s roster considering she’s an Ontario native. But, the veteran lands with Portland, providing immediate starting power in the Fire’s frontcourt. She averaged 6.5 points per game along with 3.6 rebounds and two assists, and shot a clean 37.3 percent from three-point range. 
A somewhat surprising name on this draft list is Carla Leite. The former Golden State Valkyries guard had become a fan-favorite in her rookie season with the squad, averaging 7.2 points per game along with two assists and 1.3 rebounds, providing a pop defensively whenever she was on the floor. Her pick-and-roll proficiency made her a huge asset to the Valkyries offense, and especially their bigs. Her not being protected by Golden State could be Portland’s gain. 
With Carleton in the fold in addition to Emily Engstler and Haley Jones, Leite could emerge as one of next season’s best floor generals if utilized correctly. 
Two underrated picks for Portland are Sarah Ashlee Barker and Maya Caldwell. Caldwell, who spent last year with the Atlanta Dream, is a solid three-point shooter and a great cutter to pair with guards like Sug Sutton and Leite who are more focused on facilitating. 
Her addition to this team brings shooting and rim pressure, taking some of that load off the shoulders of the teams’ talented bigs. She averaged 5.4 points per game in addition to 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and almost one steal in 18.5 minutes per game. 
As for Barker, and similarly to Nye with the Tempo, she has an opportunity to show off her strengths with potentially larger minutes with the Fire. The former Sparks guard got plenty of opportunities to flex her defensive skills in 2025, and she was also a decent scorer for stretches.
However, it was always going to be tough to find her a role behind Kelsey Plum and Allemand. She averaged just 3.1 points per game along with 1.9 rebounds and almost one assist, although she only averaged 14.1 minutes per game as a rookie. 
This Fire roster is emphasizing depth at the forward position, as well as guards who can bring out the best in those front court pieces. Portland general manager Vanja Černivec told reporters following the draft that the team prioritized “great teammates who will help us recruit players in free agency.” 
 
“We want to play team-oriented basketball,” she added. 
Carleton, Leite, Caldwell, and Sutton all fit that bill right off the bat. We’ll see if Černivec’s focus on team &#8211; and fan &#8211; favorites with talent to boot works as they look ahead to the college draft and a tumultuous free agency period.

rapid-reactions-expansion-draft-2026

Rapid Reactions: WNBA Expansion Draft 2026

Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw and the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year.
Parker, Holdsclaw and members of the 1996 Olympic team were all in attendance Friday at halftime of the <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-uconn-south-carolina-score-dde3360dc7558a9d98b573a3d07fe500" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">UConn-South Carolina game</a> during the women’s Final Four, where the selections were announced, as was Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni.
They will be joined by longtime NBA official Joey Crawford, NBA coach Doc Rivers and Gonzaga coach Mark Few in the Hall of Fame.
Parker won three titles in the WNBA with three different teams: Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas. She is the only player in league history to win both the MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
She also won two titles while playing in college for Tennessee under Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, plus two Olympic gold medals and two WNBA MVP awards.
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Delle Donne won two league MVP awards in 2015 and 2019, the second of which came when she led the Washington Mystics to their lone WNBA championship. Delle Donne became the first player in league history to shoot more than 50% from the field, 40% from behind the 3-point line and 90% from the free-throw line.
Holdsclaw won three straight titles at Tennessee from 1996-98, the first team to accomplish that. The 1998 championship was Tennessee’s first undefeated season at 39–0 and the Vols also set an NCAA record for the most wins in a season. Holdsclaw went on to have an 11-year WNBA career.
Stoudemire, who was the only NBA player in this year’s class, was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003 and six-time All-Star. He spent the first eight years of his career with the Phoenix Suns, where he teamed with D’Antoni.
Rivers has nearly 1,200 victories on his resume, which puts him eighth on the all-time wins list. He led the Boston Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008 and also was in charge of the Los Angeles Clippers during their Lob City era.
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Few has won more than 770 games at Gonzaga in his career at the school. He set the NCAA Division I men’s coaching record by winning 81 games in his first three years at the school.
Crawford officiated 2,561 regular-season NBA games and 50 Finals games over his 39-year career. He retired in 2016.
The enshrinement ceremony will take place in August at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
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naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026

Parker, Delle Donne and Holdsclaw Set for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement

The WNBA’s new expansion team, the Tempo, has made one thing clear: They aren’t just Toronto’s team, they’re Canada’s team. A new era of women’s basketball across the northern border is set to tip off its inaugural season on May 8 against the Washington Mystics. And with the Tempo ushering in fresh WNBA fans, it feels ideal to remind everyone of the long line of Canadians who have hooped in the league since its early years. 
We know hockey runs through the country’s veins, but women’s pro hoops have entered the chat. Players like Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton, Laeticia Amihere, and Aaliyah Edwards are actively repping their home turf in the WNBA. But get to know the Canucks who paved the way. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Kelly Boucher (Sudbury, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257970" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257970" class="wp-image-257970" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="755" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-scaled.jpg 1695w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-199x300.jpg 199w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-678x1024.jpg 678w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-768x1160.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-1017x1536.jpg 1017w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-1356x2048.jpg 1356w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Kelly Boucher #13 of Canada cheers on the sideline during the game against France at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics</div>
In the WNBA’s inaugural season, 15 international players dotted rosters around the league, but it wasn’t until the following season in 1998 that the first Canadian suited up. Boucher signed with the Charlotte Sting after a week-long open tryout. She bested over 350 WNBA hopefuls, through what she described as “the most intense, chaotic, grueling, difficult experience.” 
Her dream of playing pro hoops close to home became a reality. In a <a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/05/14/meet-kelly-boucher-the-canadian-who-broke-the-wnba-barrier/">2021 interview</a>, Boucher recalls having visa issues because it was so unheard of for Canadians to go to the States to play hoops. “They didn’t even know what category of visa to give us,” she said then.
Boucher had competed in two Olympics for Canada and a World Championship, but in her lone WNBA season, she grew accustomed to playing in front of a roaring crowd of 25,000 at the Charlotte Coliseum. Playing in Madison Square Garden, though, was her “pinch-me” moment. “That was a highlight…you walk in there, and you can just smell the history,” she reminisced. “Patrick Ewing was there, chatting with him on the side, taking pictures with people. You’re supposed to be warming up, of course…but you just look around, and I think, ‘We’re playing in Madison Square Garden.’”
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Tammy Sutton-Brown (Markham, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257971" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257971" class="wp-image-257971" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="771" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-scaled.jpg 1661w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-195x300.jpg 195w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-664x1024.jpg 664w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-768x1184.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-997x1536.jpg 997w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-1329x2048.jpg 1329w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Tammy Sutton-Brown #55 of the Charlotte Sting looking to pass the ball against the New York Liberty</div>
Twelve years, two All-Star selections, a WNBA championship — Sutton-Brown’s 388 games played are the most by a Canadian to date. 
The Markham, Ontario native decided to come to the States first to play under iconic coach C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers in 1997. As a freshman, she led the Scarlet Knights in field goal percentage and blocks. As a junior, she led them to their first-ever Final Four appearance. It was clear that her efficiency at the rim was going to translate to the league. She was then drafted as the 18th pick to the Charlotte Sting in 2001.
The six-foot-four Sutton-Brown received her first All-Star nod after averaging 11.9 points and 6 rebounds in only her second season with the Sting. She was the first Canadian to be named to an All-Star team. Once the Sting folded in 2006, she was signed as a free agent by the Indiana Fever, earning her second All-Star spot that same year. She became a key member of the Fever alongside Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas, and was the starting center for the 2012 championship team. Sutton-Brown is fifth in franchise history in total rebounds, and her<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/teams/IND/players.html"> 267 franchise blocks</a> rank behind only Catchings.
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Stacey Dales (Collingwood, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257972" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257972" class="wp-image-257972" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="762" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-scaled.jpg 1680w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-197x300.jpg 197w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-672x1024.jpg 672w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-768x1170.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-1008x1536.jpg 1008w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-1344x2048.jpg 1344w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Stacey Dales-Schuman #21 of the Washington Mystics looks to pass during the game against the Indiana Fever</div>
The six-foot sharpshooter is the highest Canadian to be drafted to the WNBA at third overall in 2002—just behind Sue Bird and Swin Cash. Dales was coming off a stellar college career. She had two All-American seasons at Oklahoma and was a two-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. In her senior season, her 17 points per-game led the Sooners to their one and only National Championship game. 
In Dales’ rookie season with the Washington Mystics, she made an immediate impact, starting 28 of 31 games. She was second on the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) and even earned an All-Star spot. She played five seasons in the league and officially retired in 2007 after two seasons with the Chicago Sky. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Natalie Achonwa (Guelph, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257973" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257973" class="wp-image-257973" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="750" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Natalie Achonwa of Canada shoots during the 2022 FIBA Women&#8217;s Basketball World Cup Group B match between Australia and Canada</div>
Before dominating the paint in the WNBA, Achonwa made history in college and on the world stage. At 16, she became the youngest player ever to play for the Canadian national team in 2009. Then, she was the first international player to suit up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish; in her tenure there from 2010 to 2014, she made four Final Fours and three title games. 
In 2014, Achonwa was drafted ninth overall by the Indiana Fever and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team. The six-foot-three power forward played 8 total seasons with both the Fever and Minnesota Lynx.
Achonwa appeared in her fourth Olympic Games for Team Canada in 2024, the most by a Canadian basketball player ever.  
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Kayla Alexander (Milton, ON) </h2>
<div id="attachment_257975" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257975" class="wp-image-257975" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="753" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-scaled.jpg 1700w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-199x300.jpg 199w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-680x1024.jpg 680w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-768x1156.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-1020x1536.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-1360x2048.jpg 1360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Kayla Alexander #40 of the San Antonio Stars attempts a free throw against the Phoenix Mercury</div>
When the San Antonio Silver Stars drafted Alexander with their 8th pick in 2013, they knew they were getting an athletic big who was a force at the rim on both ends of the court. Alexander hailed from Syracuse University and completed her collegiate career as one of the best ever to don the Orange. When she left, she was the all-time leader in points, blocks, field goals, free throws made, free throws attempted, and games played.
She played five of her eight seasons in San Antonio, with stops in Indiana, Chicago, and Minnesota.  Even after back-to-back knee surgeries in 2018 and 2019, she didn’t give up on her WNBA or Olympic dreams. “I feel like sports are a great setup for life,” she <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/orangewomen/2021/07/perseverance-pays-off-former-syracuse-player-kayla-alexander-to-represent-canada-in-olympics.html?outputType=amp">said</a>. “Life isn’t perfect. Things aren’t always going to go according to your plan, but you have to find the ways to persevere and push through and find the positive in everything, or try to.” She went on to compete for Team Canada at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games. 
Jordan Robinson is a freelance journalist, author, host, analyst, and content creator based in Los Angeles, CA and writes columns on <a href="http://wnba.com/">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.

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