Key Takeaways
- The 30th WNBA Draft will take place on April 13, 2026, showcasing the league’s newest talent pool.
- Recent #1‑overall selections—Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, and Awa Fam—are poised to shape the next era. – A ranking system that emphasizes championships, MVPs, and All‑WNBA honors was used to evaluate the greatest former #1 picks. – Historical analysis spans 25 notable picks, highlighting both breakout successes and short‑lived careers.
- A’ja Wilson currently holds the top spot, with legends like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi close behind in the all‑time hierarchy.
Draft History and Recent Landscape
The Women’s National Basketball Association will celebrate its 30th annual draft on April 13, 2026. Since Tina Thompson became the inaugural #1 pick in 1997 and helped the Houston Comets win four championships, the draft has produced a steady stream of star talent. More recently, the Las Vegas Aces’ back‑to‑back selections of Kelsey Plum, A’ja Wilson, and Jackie Young propelled the franchise to multiple titles. This year’s top prospects include UCLA center Lauren Betts, TCU point guard Olivia Miles, UConn sharpshooter Azzi Fudd, and 19‑year‑old Spanish forward Awa Fam—each expected to hear their names called in the opening round.
Methodology for Evaluating No. 1 Picks
To determine the greatest former #1 overall selections, we constructed a weighted formula that rewards team achievements over individual statistics. League MVP awards and championships carried the heaviest weight, followed by Finals appearances, All‑WNBA selections, statistical league leaderships (e.g., points, blocks), and All‑Star recognitions. This approach allows us to prioritize impact on winning programs rather than isolated personal accolades, providing a clearer picture of a player’s lasting contribution to the WNBA.
Recent No. 1 Selections: Howard, Boston, Clark, and Buckets
Four of the most recent #1 picks—Rhyne Howard (2022), Aliyah Boston (2023), Caitlin Clark (2024), and Paige Buckets (2025)—have already earned All‑Star status and earned minutes on Team USA. However, the limited sample size prevents definitive career assessments, so these players are excluded from the definitive historical rankings. Their early professional milestones, nevertheless, signal a promising infusion of talent that could reshape the league’s competitive balance in the coming years. All‑Time Greatest No. 1 Picks: The Rankings
Our ranking system produced a definitive top‑25 list of former #1 overall selections. The lower tier of the list includes players such as Charli Collier, Ann Wauters, and LaToya Thomas, whose careers were hampered by injuries, limited playing time, or brief WNBA tenures. Mid‑range positions feature impact veterans like Chiney Ogwumike, Margo Dydek, and Tina Charles, whose contributions were notable but did not culminate in championship dominance. Higher placements spotlight players who combined sustained excellence with multiple titles and MVP honors, setting the stage for a conversation about the all‑time greats.
25‑Player Historical Ranking: Highlights and Lowlights
The ranking begins at #25 with Charli Collier, whose two‑season stint with the Dallas Wings ended abruptly, leading her to play professionally abroad. At #24, Ann Wauters endured an unremarkable three‑year stretch before returning for sporadic appearances later in her career. LaToya Thomas (#23) managed a modest six‑season career averaging 9.3 points, while Lindsey Harding (#22) contributed a solid rookie season before moving between several teams. Each of these early rankings illustrates the volatility that can accompany a #1 selection, where early promise does not always translate into lasting WNBA impact.
Early Legends: Charli Collier and Ann Wauters
Collier’s brief Dallas tenure yielded no WNBA minutes after 2022, but her international experience across Turkey, Australia, China, Poland, Israel, and Italy showcases her adaptability. Wauters, drafted in 2000 by the Cleveland Rockers, posted modest stats over three seasons, yet she resurfaced multiple times between 2004 and 2016 and earned a championship ring as a reserve with the 2016 Sparks. Their stories underscore that a #1 pick’s potential can be realized abroad or later in a WNBA resurgence, even if immediate top‑tier success is elusive.
Mid‑Era Performers: LaToya Thomas and Lindsey Harding
Thomas, selected in 2003 by the Rockers, played for five teams across six seasons and sustained a respectable 9.3‑point average, while also contributing to a championship‑winning Liberty squad in 2007. Harding, drafted seventh overall in 2007, made an immediate impact by earning Rookie‑of‑the‑Year honors and later amassed seven additional WNBA years, highlighted by an All‑Rookie team nod and a championship ring with the Minnesota Lynx. Their careers illustrate how mid‑era #1 selections can evolve into reliable, multi‑team contributors despite modest early statistical profiles.
Impactful Veterans: Janel McCarville and Chiney Ogwumike
Janel McCarville’s tenure with the Charlotte Sting ended with the franchise’s dissolution, yet she blossomed into the WNBA’s Most Improved Player with the New York Liberty and anchored the 2013 championship Lynx roster. Chiney Ogwumike, the 2014 Rookie of the Year, overcame knee and Achilles injuries to earn two All‑Star selections and a 14.1‑point career average with the Connecticut Sun before a trade to Los Angeles. Both players demonstrate resilience and long‑term value, turning early setbacks into meaningful contributions over several seasons.
Dominant Centers: Margo Dydek and Tina Charles
Margo Dydek, the 7‑foot‑2 Polish center drafted in 1998, dominated the league with a record six block titles and 18 more blocks than any other player, complementing a seven‑year All‑Star career with Utah and San Antonio. Tina Charles, the 2010 Rookie of the Year, compiled four All‑WNBA nods, a 2012 MVP award, and a championship pedigree that propelled her to multiple All‑Star appearances. Their presence in the paint epitomizes how #1 picks can become defensive anchors and franchise pillars.
Championship‑Making Picks: Plum, Young, and Ionescu
Kelsey Plum’s single‑season stint with the San Antonio Stars culminated in an Aces move that sparked two championships, a Sixth‑Player award, and MVP voting considerations. Jackie Young, the 2019 Rookie of the Year, quickly became a four‑time All‑Star, two‑time All‑WNBA selection, and a three‑time champion with the Aces. Sabrina Ionescu, drafted in 2020, is already amassing All‑WNBA honors and contributed to the Liberty’s 2024 championship, cementing her status as a rapidly ascending franchise cornerstone. Their trajectories illustrate how immediate impact and sustained excellence can elevate a #1 pick into championship lore.
Hall‑of‑Fame‑Level Careers: Stewart, Griner, and Thompson
Breanna Stewart helped Seattle win back‑to‑back titles, earned Finals MVP honors in 2018 and 2020, and amassed five All‑WNBA selections before joining the New York Liberty. Brittney Griner led the league in scoring and blocks, secured ten All‑Star nods, and captured a Mercury championship in 2014 while establishing herself as a defensive stalwart. Tina Thompson, the historic 1997 #1 pick, was the cornerstone of four consecutive Comets titles, earning eight All‑WNBA selections and a reputation as a clutch performer. Their careers set the benchmark for on‑court dominance and longevity among former #1 selections.
Current Leaders: Moore, Jackson, and Augustus Maya Moore, though her career was abbreviated by personal choices, helped the Lynx claim four championships, secured three Finals MVPs, and earned multiple All‑WNBA honors. Lauren Jackson, a three‑time MVP and eight‑year Storm veteran, dominated defensively while leading the league in scoring and rebounding during her 2007 campaign, ranking among the most statistically impressive seasons in WNBA history. Seimone Augustus, a four‑time champion and eight‑time All‑Star, ranks tenth all‑time in field goals made and was pivotal in Minnesota’s early dynasty. Their legacies underscore how #1 picks can become franchise icons and league ambassadors.
All‑Time Greats: Bird, Taurasi, and Wilson
Sue Bird, the long‑standing face of the Seattle Storm, built a career of 18 playoff appearances, four championships, and WNBA records in assists, games played, and minutes. Diana Taurasi, a three‑time champion with the Mercury, stands as the league’s all‑time scoring leader, a 14‑time All‑WNBA honoree, and a prolific 3‑point shooter whose trash talk became legendary. Atop the hierarchy, A’ja Wilson has already captured four MVPs, three titles, and earned seven All‑Star and six All‑WNBA selections before age 30, positioning her as the most accomplished former #1 pick to date and a strong contender for the title of greatest WNBA player ever as her career unfolds.