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All-WNBA Team

The All-WNBA Team is an annual accolade bestowed by the (WNBA) to honor the league's most outstanding players, comprising a First Team and a Second Team, each consisting of five athletes selected for their exceptional on-court performance during the regular season. Established in 1997, shortly after the WNBA's inaugural season, the honor recognizes elite talent across positions such as guards, forwards, and centers, with selections based on criteria emphasizing statistical achievements, impact on team success, and overall contributions to the game. The selection process involves a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters—typically numbering around 56 voters—who cast ballots for the top performers without regard to positional requirements, a format adopted starting in the 2022 season to better reflect the modern evolution of toward versatile, positionless play. Prior to this change, teams were structured with specific positional mandates, such as two guards, two forwards, and one center, to ensure balanced representation. This shift, announced by the league to accommodate increasing emphasis on spacing, pace, and multifaceted skills, has allowed for more flexible honors that highlight players like and , who have earned unanimous First Team nods in recent years. Over nearly three decades, the All-WNBA Teams have become a cornerstone of the league's end-of-season , often overlapping with individual honors like the Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player award, and serving as a benchmark for career milestones such as multiple selections or rookie inclusions. Notable recipients, including league icons who have shaped the WNBA's growth, underscore the honor's prestige, with teams announced annually in October following the regular season's conclusion.

History

Establishment

The All-WNBA Team was first introduced in 1997, coinciding with the debut season of the (WNBA), which launched on June 21, 1997, with eight inaugural franchises. The award was established to recognize the league's top performers during its inaugural year, honoring outstanding individual contributions amid the excitement of a new professional era backed by the (NBA). This recognition aimed to highlight excellence in a nascent seeking to establish its identity and attract fans to women's professional basketball. The initial format featured First and Second Teams, each comprising five players selected by position: two guards, two forwards, and one center, reflecting a structure designed to showcase positional versatility and team balance. The inaugural selections were announced on August 25, 1997, with guard Cynthia Cooper earning the distinction as the only unanimous choice for the First Team, underscoring her dominant performance as the league's leading scorer at 22.2 . Other First Team honorees included forward Eva Nemcova of the , forward of the , center of the , and guard Ruthie Bolton-Holifield of the , all of whom exemplified the high level of play in the league's formative season. The Second Team featured players such as forward Wendy Palmer of the , forward of the , center Jennifer Gillom of the , guard of the , and guard Andrea Stinson of the , further emphasizing the depth of talent across the league's founding teams. By spotlighting these athletes early on, the All-WNBA Team helped foster visibility and legitimacy for the WNBA as it competed for attention in the sports landscape.

Evolution

From its inception following the , the All-WNBA Team maintained a position-specific selection format through 2021, where voters chose two guards, two forwards, and one center for both the First and Second Teams. This structure was determined by a national panel of approximately 40 to 60 media members, including sportswriters and broadcasters, who cast votes based on players' positional performance during the regular season. The format emphasized traditional roles in , aligning with the league's early emphasis on structured positional play amid its growth from 8 teams in 1997 to 12 teams by the early 2010s. A significant evolution occurred in 2022, when the WNBA shifted to a positionless voting system to better reflect the increasing versatility of modern players. Under the new process, the voter panel—expanded to 56 members that year—selects the top 10 overall performers without regard to position, with the highest five vote-getters forming the First Team and the next five comprising the Second Team. This change, announced on August 5, 2022, aimed to mitigate positional biases and capture the fluidity of contemporary styles, where athletes often excel across multiple roles. The first positionless teams were revealed on September 15, 2022, marking a pivotal to the league's stylistic shifts. Subsequent developments have focused on broadening participation and emphasizing holistic contributions. By 2025, the voter had grown to 72 writers and broadcasters, enhancing representation from across the media landscape while retaining the First and Second Team framework without further structural alterations. This expansion underscores the award's enduring role in spotlighting elite talent as the WNBA continued its ascent, reaching 13 teams with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries for the 2025 season.

Selection Process

Eligibility and Criteria

To be eligible for the All-WNBA Team, a player must be an active member of a WNBA roster during the regular season. Rookies are eligible from their first day in the league, as demonstrated by selections such as in 2025, marking the second consecutive year a earned a spot. There are no restrictions based on , allowing players to compete alongside domestic talent. While no strict minimum number of games played is mandated for consideration, full-season participation is typically expected, and the league's statistical leader qualifications—such as a minimum of 24 games played (originally 70% of a 34-game season, retained for the 44-game 2025 season) for categories like scoring—provide contextual guidance for award eligibility. Historically, the All-WNBA Team consisted of five players selected by position: two , two , and one , a format used from the award's in through the 2021 season. Starting in 2022, the selection process became positionless to better recognize overall excellence, though players are still evaluated with consideration for their primary roles (, forward, or ) when assigning them to the team rosters. Voters assess candidates based on a combination of factors, including statistical performance in key areas such as points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and ; contributions to success and win impact; leadership qualities; and overall versatility on the court. There is no official quantitative formula, but the emphasis on all-around play has intensified since the positionless format was introduced in 2022. The primary focus remains on regular-season achievements, though and playoff performances can influence evaluations without being prerequisites. Players sidelined by for much of the season are generally not selected, as limited playing time reduces opportunities to demonstrate impact, even without a formal exclusion like the NBA's 65-game . For instance, in seasons with high injury rates, such as 2025, voters prioritize those with substantial regular-season contributions. The WNBA supplies general guidelines to its media voting panel to ensure selections highlight regular-season excellence.

Voting Procedure

The All-WNBA Teams are selected through a process conducted by a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters chosen by the WNBA for their expertise in covering the league. In 2025, this panel consisted of 72 voters from U.S. media outlets. Prior to the 2022 season, voters were required to select players by position, choosing two guards, two forwards, and one center for both the First and Second Teams. Each player received five points for every First Team vote and three points for every Second Team vote, with the highest point totals determining the official teams. Beginning in 2022, the process shifted to a positionless format to better reflect the versatility of modern play, allowing voters to select any five players for the First Team and any five for the Second Team without positional restrictions. The points system remained the same, with five points awarded for First Team selections and three for Second Team selections; the top five point-earners form the First Team, and the next five form the Second Team. Voting occurs at the conclusion of the regular season, typically in late . The teams are announced shortly thereafter, in late or early —for instance, the 2025 teams were revealed on October 10. The WNBA provides transparency by releasing detailed vote totals, including the number of First and Second Team votes received by top players, as part of the official announcement.

Selections

Annual Teams (1997–2025)

The All-WNBA First and Second Teams have been announced annually since the league's debut season in 1997, recognizing the top performers across . Each team consists of five players, selected by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, with the First Team honoring the elite performers and the Second Team acknowledging additional standouts. Prior to 2022, selections adhered to positional requirements (two guards, two forwards, one ); starting in 2022, the format shifted to positionless to better reflect modern playstyles.

1997 (Inaugural Season)

The inaugural All-WNBA Teams highlighted the league's founding stars, with Cynthia Cooper earning unanimous First Team honors as the league's first MVP. First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Eva NemcovaFCleveland Rockers
Tina ThompsonFHouston Comets
Lisa LeslieCLos Angeles Sparks
Cynthia CooperGHouston Comets
Ruthie Bolton-HolifieldGSacramento Monarchs
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Wendy PalmerF
Rebecca LoboC
Jennifer GillomF
Teresa WeatherspoonG
Andrea StinsonG

1998

Houston players dominated the selections, reflecting their repeat championship success. First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
G/F
Jennifer GillomF
G
Cynthia CooperG
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Eva NemcovaF
Cindy BrownF
C
G
Andrea StinsonG

1999

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
Natalie WilliamsF
C
Cynthia CooperG
Ticha PenicheiroG
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
C
G
Shannon JohnsonG

2000

The Second Team featured a tie for the final spot, resulting in six selections. First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
Natalie WilliamsF
C
Cynthia CooperG
Ticha PenicheiroG
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
G
F
C
G
G
Shannon JohnsonG

2001

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Janeth ArcainG
Merlakia JonesF
Lisa LeslieC[Los Angeles Sparks](/page/Los Angeles_Sparks)
Katie SmithG
Natalie WilliamsF
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Tamecka DixonG[Los Angeles Sparks](/page/Los Angeles_Sparks)
Yolanda GriffithC
Chamique HoldsclawF
Tina ThompsonF
Ticha PenicheiroG

2002

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
GSeattle Storm
FIndiana Fever
CLos Angeles Sparks
Mwadi MabikaGLos Angeles Sparks
F
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Chamique HoldsclawFWashington Mystics
Shannon JohnsonG
Tari PhillipsF
G
F

2003

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
G
F
F
C
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
Deanna NolanG
F
Nikki TeasleyG

2004

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
F
Nikki Teasley

2005

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
G
C
F
Deanna NolanG
F
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
G
C
Taj McWilliams-FranklinF
G

2006

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
Katie DouglasG
F
C
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
G
G
F
Taj McWilliams-FranklinF
F

2007

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
GSan Antonio Silver Stars
F
Deanna NolanG
G
F
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
G
F
Katie DouglasG
F
FSan Antonio Silver Stars

2008

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
C
G
G
FSan Antonio Silver Stars
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Sue BirdG
Becky HammonGSan Antonio Silver Stars
Asjha JonesF
Deanna NolanG[Detroit Shock](/page/Detroit Shock)
Lauren JacksonC

2009

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
Becky HammonGSan Antonio Silver Stars
Lauren JacksonF
G
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
Katie DouglasG
C
Deanna NolanG
FSan Antonio Silver Stars

2010

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F/C
F
C
G
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Crystal LanghorneF
F
Tina CharlesC
G
Katie DouglasG

2011

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Tina CharlesC
F
F
G
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
C
G
G

2012

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Tina CharlesC
F
F
G
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
FSan Antonio Silver Stars
C
G
G

2013

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Maya MooreFMinnesota Lynx
Candace ParkerFLos Angeles Sparks
Sylvia FowlesCChicago Sky
Diana TaurasiGPhoenix Mercury
Lindsay WhalenGMinnesota Lynx
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Tamika CatchingsFIndiana Fever
Elena Delle DonneFChicago Sky
Tina CharlesCConnecticut Sun
Angel McCoughtryFAtlanta Dream
Seimone AugustusGMinnesota Lynx

2014

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
C
G
Skylar DigginsG
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
G
G
F
Tina CharlesC
G
G
(Note: Six selections due to tie.)

2015

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
Tina CharlesC
G
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
C
G
G

2016

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
Tina CharlesC
G
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
C
G
G

2017

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
Tina CharlesF
F[Los Angeles Sparks](/page/Los Angeles_Sparks)
C
Skylar Diggins-SmithG
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
C
G
G

2018

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
C
F
G
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
Skylar Diggins-SmithG
F
C
G

2019

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
G
C
G
F
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
F
F
C
G
G

2020

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
A’ja WilsonF
F
F
G
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
G
F
F
Skylar Diggins-SmithG
F

2021

First Team
PlayerPositionTeam
C
Skylar Diggins-SmithG
C
F
G
Second Team
PlayerPositionTeam
A’ja WilsonC
Sylvia FowlesC
Arike OgunbowaleG
Tina CharlesC
Courtney VanderslootG

2022 (First Positionless Season)

The 2022 teams introduced a positionless format, allowing selections based solely on overall impact. First Team
PlayerTeam
A’ja Wilson
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Second Team
PlayerTeam

2023

First Team
PlayerTeam
A’ja Wilson
Second Team
PlayerTeam
Jackie Young

2024

First Team
PlayerTeam
A’ja Wilson
Second Team
PlayerTeam

2025

A’ja Wilson and were unanimous First Team selections, each receiving all 72 first-place votes from the media panel. First Team (with points)
PlayerTeamPoints
A’ja Wilson360
360
358
341
Kelsey MitchellIndiana Fever320
Second Team (with points)
PlayerTeamPoints
185
Jackie Young148
125
112
112

Selection Records

holds the record for the most All-WNBA First Team selections with 10, achieved in 2006–2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2018, and 2021. ranks second with 8 First Team honors, earned in 1997, 2000–2002, and 2004–2007. also leads in total All-WNBA selections with 14 (10 First Team and 4 Second Team). follows with 12 total selections (7 First Team and 5 Second Team). Nneka Ogwumike holds the record for the most All-WNBA Second Team selections with 7 as of 2025. Earlier in league history, Lauren Jackson earned 5 Second Team nods in 2001, 2003, and 2007–2009, contributing to her overall 8 selections. Prior to the 2022 format change, which eliminated positional designations to emphasize player versatility, centers dominated First Team honors; Leslie's 8 stand as the positional high. Post-2022, the shift has highlighted multi-role contributions without updated positional tracking. The amassed the most First Team honors in the league's formative years, with multiple players selected annually from 1997 to 2000, including stars like Cynthia Cooper and . In recent seasons, the Las Vegas Aces have emerged as a powerhouse, securing multiple selections post-2022; in 2025 alone, earned a unanimous First Team spot while Jackie Young made the Second Team. Only 12 rookies have earned All-WNBA honors since the team's inception, underscoring the rarity of immediate impact at the professional level; notable examples include on the 2008 First Team and the most recent, on the 2025 Second Team. Unanimous selections, where a player receives votes on all ballots, have occurred 15 times, with achieving this distinction in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
CategoryLeaderCountNotes
First Team Selections102006–2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2018, 2021
Total Selections1410 First, 4 Second
Second Team Selections7As of 2025
Rookie SelectionsVarious12 totalE.g., (2008 First), (2025 Second)
Unanimous SelectionsVarious15 instancesLatest: (2023–2025)

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