Introduction

The 2025 WNBA season has been nothing short of electrifying, showcasing a mix of established superstars and rising talents who continue to elevate the game. From dominant MVP frontrunners like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart to breakout stars such as Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, this year has proven that the league’s depth and star power are stronger than ever.

1) A’ja Wilson — Las Vegas Aces

A’ja Wilson was the most dominant two-way player in 2025, and her season was recognized with major awards and statistical leadership. She was the league’s top scorer and rebounder (or among the leaders), and she earned national recognition for her consistency and impact. In 2025, she was again a runaway presence in MVP and player-of-the-year conversations; media outlets reported her receiving AP Player of the Year honors and she was frequently listed at the top of player rankings.

• Scoring and rebounding were led by Wilson in many weeks of the season; she had multiple 30+ point games and double-doubles. Her per-game numbers were elite, and advanced metrics placed her at or near the top in Win Shares and Player Impact metrics. For example, one late-season AP recap noted a 31/11 game during a long Aces winning streak.

Wilson’s blend of interior scoring, rim protection, and ability to stretch the floor was central to Las Vegas’s identity. Importantly, the Aces’ net rating and win streaks were tightly linked to her availability and production; without Wilson on the floor, the team’s performance notably declined — a swing that was discussed widely in analysis pieces.

Because she was an MVP-level presence once again, Wilson’s performance shaped playoff expectations and the Aces’ strategic planning. Teams had to scheme specifically for her, which in turn opened opportunities for teammates — a hallmark of an elite star.

2) Breanna Stewart — New York Liberty

Breanna Stewart continued to be one of the WNBA’s most complete and championship-proven stars. She is both an interior and perimeter threat, and her leadership helped keep the Liberty among title favorites. Season coverage highlighted her returning form after injury issues and her capacity to deliver high-value scoring and defense in big games.

• Stewart averaged around the high-teens in points per game during the regular season while contributing solid rebound and blocking totals; box-score examples were reported in game recaps showing 20+ point outings that mattered in seeding and playoff positioning.

Her shooting (including timely three-point shooting), rim protection, and clutch scoring were frequently on display. Stewart’s presence was consistently cited as improving the Liberty’s offensive and defensive ratings when she was on the court.

Stewart’s proven championship pedigree (multiple WNBA titles and Finals MVPs) meant that New York could not be written off; she kept opponents cautious, and her performances in late-season and playoff bursts were used as reference points in commentary about title odds.

3) Alyssa Thomas — Phoenix Mercury

Alyssa Thomas continued to redefine playmaking from a power-forward position, and she was notable for league-leading assist and triple-double contributions in 2025. Her court vision and defensive commitment placed her among the most versatile players in the league. Coverage throughout the year emphasized that she was in the MVP conversation because of historic assist and all-around statistical output.

• Thomas was reported to be among the league leaders for assists and triple-doubles; she was frequently discussed as a stat-sheet filler who changes the way defenses must play Phoenix. Advanced metrics and analysts cited her two-way value.

She was instrumental in running the Mercury’s offense, and her defensive instincts created transition offense opportunities. When Thomas was on the floor, Phoenix’s offensive sets were more fluid and more dangerous, as was often highlighted in pre- and post-game analysis.

Because she orchestrated the offense at an elite level while remaining a force on defense, Thomas frequently shifted the balance of games and helped keep Phoenix competitive against title-contending teams.

4) Napheesa Collier — Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier’s 2025 season was notable for outstanding efficiency — reports highlighted a rare 50/40/90 shooting season among top performers — and her two-way effectiveness made her a top MVP candidate at various points. Her scoring efficiency combined with rebounding and on-ball defense made her indispensable.

• Collier was among league leaders in shooting percentages and was contributing both scoring and rebounds in high-impact ways. Analysts noted the unusual efficiency and her emerging role as a consistent primary option.

Her midrange and three-point shooting, along with physical rebounding, forced opponents to game-plan for her both inside and on the perimeter. She was often the lynchpin in clutch moments for Minnesota.

Collier’s efficiency preserved possessions and created second-chance opportunities, and she was therefore used as a barometer for the Lynx’s ability to compete with top teams.

5) Sabrina Ionescu — New York Liberty

Sabrina Ionescu’s 2025 campaign was a high-usage, highly effective one — she was a primary creator for the Liberty and filled the stat sheet with points, assists, and steals. Her improved shot selection and growth as a leader drew frequent praise.

• Ionescu averaged strong counting numbers in points and assists, and game logs showed multiple high-assist games that were central to New York’s offense. She and Stewart formed a dynamic inside-out duo that opponents found difficult to contain.

Playmaking from the guard position was more often than not supplied by Ionescu. Her ability to generate open looks for teammates and to create her own scoring chances was central to New York’s spacing and tempo.

Because Ionescu was constantly involved in Liberty possessions as both a scorer and facilitator, their offensive identity was built around her tendencies, which made her a genuine star of the season.

6) Caitlin Clark — Indiana Fever

Caitlin Clark’s rookie-to-sophomore-era star power continued to be felt in 2025 — with eye-catching assist numbers and high usage playmaking, Clark drew national attention and sustained large viewership spikes. Her scoring and playmaking were consistently productive for Indiana, and she was often a catalyst for the team’s most explosive offensive moments.

• Clark’s stat line in 2025 included strong assist totals (notably near the league lead at times) and mid-to-high-teens in scoring per game. ESPN tracked her as an elite playmaker and a driver of ratings and attention.

Her gravity as an offensive creator (including catch-and-shoot threes and step-back attempts) required opponents to devise specialized defensive schemes. Moreover, Clark’s overall impact on the WNBA’s media footprint was notable: viewership numbers and public discussion were often spiked by Indiana’s nationally-televised games.

Beyond box scores, Clark’s presence elevated league visibility and was instrumental in the Fever’s offensive schemes; she was frequently referenced in national award conversations and highlighted by analysts for her rapid growth.

7) Jonquel Jones — New York Liberty

Jonquel Jones brought interior dominance and consistent double-double production. In 2025 she was frequently among the league leaders in rebounds and was a rock for the Liberty’s frontcourt alongside Breanna Stewart. Game summaries and team coverage regularly described Jones as a postseason-proven force.

• Jones produced multiple double-doubles across the season, and at times her rebounding totals were game-changing. Box score recaps noted milestone double-double counts and career-high outlets.

Her length and positional versatility allowed the Liberty to switch matchups and to finish possessions at the rim. Consequently, Jones’s hustle and rebounding created extra possessions and trimmed opponent second-chance points.

She stabilized New York’s inside game and offered consistent production that complemented the Liberty’s perimeter talent.

8) Paige Bueckers — Dallas Wings

Paige Bueckers made significant strides in the WNBA and her per-game scoring placed her among the league’s top offensive options. Her ball-handling, crafty shots, and playmaking were widely praised in 2025 coverage, with her name appearing on stat leaderboards for scoring.

• Bueckers was listed among the top five in points per game at several points in season leaderboards, and she posted multiple high-scoring games that kept Dallas competitive.

The combination of WNBA-level craft and midrange-terrain savvy meant that Bueckers could create her own offense and also involve others. Her presence on the Wings raised their ceiling and kept the team in many tight contests.

Because she could shift tempo with scoring bursts, Bueckers was a match-up problem and a rising face of the league.

9) Kelsey Mitchell — Indiana Fever

Kelsey Mitchell’s scoring was a reliable top-tier source for Indiana, and she was placed among the league’s top scorers in 2025. Her catch-and-shoot ability from deep was especially valuable when paired with high-usage playmakers like Caitlin Clark.

• Mitchell was shown in stat pages as a top-five scoring threat, and her 20-point games were central to several midseason upsets and signature wins for Indiana.

She stretched defenses and often converted off-ball screens or pick-and-pop chances. Mitchell was counted on for heat-check scoring and matchup-specific production.

Her steady bucket output kept Indiana’s spacing wide, which in turn allowed playmakers to get downhill and to generate assists.

10) Veronica Burton or Kelsey Plum (tie) — (verdict depends on selection criteria)

At this level, the separation between players is small and depends on the weighting of playmaking, defense, counting stats, and team success. Veronica Burton was cited as having meaningful defensive and playmaking improvements in 2025, and Kelsey Plum continued to be a high-volume scorer and veteran leader. Either player could be slotted at #10 depending on preference for defense-first or offense-first contributors.

• Burton’s assist and steal numbers were highlighted in midseason analysis as signs of ascending two-way play; Plum’s scoring remained high-value in spurts and was often used to swing games late.

Both players were counted on to stabilize their teams in role-specific ways: Burton as a defensive glue and Plum as an offense finisher.

Depth at the top-10 level was shown not only by highlight reels but also by the micro-advantages these players created — whether by steals that produced fast-break buckets or a veteran shot that changed the momentum.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 WNBA season has showcased a powerful blend of proven champions and rising stars, making it one of the league’s most exciting years to date. From A’ja Wilson’s dominance to Caitlin Clark’s rapid rise, these athletes have redefined what it means to be elite in women’s basketball. Their performances not only shaped playoff outcomes but also elevated the league’s visibility and global impact. As the WNBA continues to grow, these top stars stand as the driving force behind its present success and its promising future.

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