When the WNBA first started back in 1997, there were no guarantees about how long it would last. Twenty-five seasons later, the league is not only still around, but thriving. To celebrate the 25th anniversary season, the league has put together a number of initiatives throughout the summer.
The latest was the release of the "W25," the league's official list of its 25 greatest players. Headlining the list were retired legends like Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie and Tamika Catchings, as well as current stars like Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart.
As expected, there was plenty of debate about who should or should not have been on the list. Most of it focused on retired players like Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebekkah Brunson, Deanna Nolan and Dawn Staley (didn't meet the requirements), who fans thought should have made the cut.
But what about looking forward? The league typically releases a new greatest players list every five years and expands it at a rate of one player per year. That means in 2026, there will be five more spots available on the 30 greatest players list for the 30th anniversary season.
Weatherspoon and Co. will obviously have a chance again, but they'll also face competition from the younger players who are still in the league and improving every day. Let's take a look at five active players who have the best chance of making the 30 greatest players list.
1. A'ja Wilson -- Las Vegas Aces
- 2020 MVP
- 2018 ROY
- 3x All-Star
- 1x All-WNBA First Team
- 1x All-Defensive Second Team
When the W25 list was released, the only MVP not present was Wilson. That was due to age more than anything else, however, as Wilson is just in her fourth season in the league. Even with everything she's accomplished so far, it's just too early right now to say she's one of the best players of all time.
In a few years, however, that won't be the case, and Wilson is pretty much a lock to be on the next edition. She already meets enough of the requirements, has established herself as one of the league's truly elite players and at just 25 years old still has room to get even better.
Looking forward, Wilson is going to be a perennial All-Star and All-WNBA performer, and will regularly be in the MVP conversation. She's going to have the accolades, and if she can start adding some titles to her resume she has a chance to go down as one of the best ever.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
2. Jonquel Jones -- Connecticut Sun
- 2017 Most Improved Players
- 2018 Sixth Woman of the Year
- 3x All-Star
- 2x All-WNBA Second Team
- 1x All-Defensive First Team
Speaking of MVPs, Jones is a heavy favorite to take home the award this season, which gives her an inside track at making the 30 greatest players list. If she does end up receiving that honor, it will be her third major award, which is quite a haul for a player in just her fifth season of action (she sat out in 2020).
After flirting with superstardom the past few seasons, Jones has fully stepped into that role this summer, leading the Sun to the best record in the league in the process. She's a true two-way force, and there's no reason to expect that to change in the years to come.
Much like Wilson, she already has a growing list of personal accomplishments but doesn't have a ring. And when you're talking legacy and all-time greatness, that matters.
3. Skylar Diggins-Smith -- Phoenix Mercury
- 2014 Most Improved Player
- 5x All-Star
- 2x All-WNBA First Team
- 2x All-WNBA Second Team
The 2013 WNBA Draft is widely regarded as one of the best draft classes ever. It was headlined by Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Diggins-Smith, who were the first three picks and were dubbed the "Three to See." Both Griner and Delle Donne made the W25 list, but Diggins-Smith did not. Next time, however, she could join them.
Ever since her breakout second season, when she won Most Improved Player, Diggins-Smith has been a staple of the All-Star and All-WNBA teams. She's an electric scorer at all three levels, and a strong playmaker as well. The only thing she hasn't achieved so far is playoff success. That largely hasn't been her fault, but it's tough to make a case that you're an all-time great when you've only played in four postseason games and have lost three of them.
The good news for Diggins-Smith is that she's now on a strong Mercury team that's capable of making some noise in the playoffs both this season and in the future. Another item in her favor is that she has already made four All-WNBA teams. If she can add a few more in the next couple years, it will give her a great chance. Deanna Nolan was the only player with five All-WNBA selections left off the W25 list, and every single player with six All-WNBA selections made it.
4. Napheesa Collier -- Minnesota Lynx
- 2019 ROY
- 2x All-Star
- 1x All-WNBA Second Team
- 1x All-Defensive Second Team
When she entered the league in 2019 as the No. 6 overall pick, there was little doubt that Collier would be an effective WNBA player. But the speed with which she's taken to the professional game is remarkable. In just two-plus seasons she's already racked up enough accolades that she was eligible for the W25 list.
While she obviously didn't make the cut this time -- the youngest player on the list was Breanna Stewart, who has been in the league for six years -- that goes to show that Collier is on a historic trajectory. She's already one of the most versatile players around on both ends of the floor, and should only improve with more experience.
Because she is so early in her career, there's a lot more projection with Collier than some other players mentioned here, and it's possible she'll still be too inexperienced for the 30 greatest players list. She's shown so much already, however, that you have to include her in the conversation.
5. Courtney Vandersloot -- Chicago Sky
- 3x All-Star
- 2x All-WNBA First Team
- 2x All-WNBA Second Team
While she made the All-Star Game in her rookie season, Vandersloot didn't truly hit her stride until much later in her career. Once she did, however, she really took off. She's been the best point guard for some time now, and has led the league in assists in each of the last four seasons, setting numerous records along the way.
But as great as Vandersloot has been in recent years, there's a difference between being one of the best players in your era and one of the best players ever. Vandersloot still has a ways to go before she can claim the latter, and was not even eligible for the W25 list.
That's where things start to get interesting for Vandersloot. She's going to have plenty of All-Star and All-WNBA appearances, and by the time the next list is released will likely be second all-time in assists. However, looking at the criteria, she's not going to win MVP or make an All-Defensive Team. This means she needs to win a championship or the Community Assist Award in the next five years to even have a chance. If she does, it's going to be tough to keep her off with everything else she's accomplished.
Honorable mentions
- DeWanna Bonner -- Phoenix Mercury
Bonner has had a great career, but she didn't make the cut this time and is already 34 years old. Just tough to see a path for her, especially with all the young talent on the rise.
- Liz Cambage -- Las Vegas Aces
Cambage would probably have been on the W25 list if she stayed in the WNBA since she was drafted. As it stands, she's only played four-plus seasons and has not committed long-term to the league. If she plays the next five seasons, she'll be in the conversation, but it's just too hard to predict what she'll do.
- Chelsea Gray -- Las Vegas Aces
Gray is a very good player and should be in the discussion but, like Bonner, it's just hard to see a path for her with all the retired and current players ahead of her on the pecking order.
- Jewell Loyd -- Seattle Storm
Loyd already meets all the criteria, and the two titles are a big feather in her cap. She definitely has the talent, and if she maintains the level she's been at this season, she'll have a real chance. There's just so much competition for so few spots. The 35th anniversary list might be more realistic.
- Arike Ogunbowale -- Dallas Wings
Ogunbowale already has a scoring title and an All-WNBA First Team appearance, and elite scorers always have a better chance to make these lists than other players. She still has some major work to do with meeting the criteria, however. She's another player who is probably a better bet for the 35th anniversary list.
"five" - Google News
September 07, 2021 at 10:37PM
https://ift.tt/3tlJxti
A'ja Wilson, Jonquel Jones among five players who could make WNBA's 30 greatest players list in five years - CBS Sports
"five" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YnPDf8
https://ift.tt/2SxXq6o
No comments:
Post a Comment