The 2024-2025 WNBA season saw the birth of new stars like Angel Reese, and league mainstays like Napheesa Collier step up to the plate and shine while doing so.

It’s a pivotal time for women in sports — now more than ever, following an Olympic season that was particularly triumphant for female athletes across events, more eyes are on the league and its stars, and the newfound attention is deserving.

Many players dominated the court this season, but read on for the five who shaped professional women’s basketball in 2024.

A’ja Wilson

Wilson’s 2024-2025 was nothing short of spectacular. According to ESPN, she walked away from it with an Olympic gold medal, the single-season points record, the single-season rebounding record, and her third MVP (this one she won unanimously). Each accolade she earned while dealing with racist and discriminatory remarks (online and IRL) from viewers this season, which she opened up to ESPN about earlier this month.

Napheesa Collier 

The winner of this year’s WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, Collier continues to dominate the top 10 of several WNBA-recognized categories (like points, rebounds, steals and blocks), Yahoo Sports reported. Collier’s a four-time All Star and this season saw her shine — she racked up an average of 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, as well as 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Jackie Young 

Young is a standout guard in the WNBA and was a pillar on Team USA’s women’s basketball team. She kicked off her 2019 rookie season as a No. 1 overall draft pick, later becoming a three-time All-Star player, USA Today reported. The 27-year-old in unstoppable when in defense mode this season, and continues to play an integral role in the Las Vegas Aces’ success.

Nneka Ogwumike

Since her 2012 draft, Ogwumike has been a leader in the league. She kicked off the 2024 season by signing with a new team, the Seattle Storm, marking a new chapter in her already impressive career. Though her effort on the court was significant for the team and league, it’s her work off the court that’s captured headlines. Ogwumike is set to take over fellow basket-baller Lebron James’ organization More Than a Vote, which returns this election season with a focus on women’s issues and reproductive rights.

Angel Reese 

Reese’s WNBA debut has made her a player to watch, but has been equal in its peaks and valleys. According to ESPN, the 22-year-old earned a WNBA record 15-game double-double streak and broke the single-season record for rebounds during a game against the Minnesota Lynx last month (she has not held onto the record since then). But a Sept. 6 injury required a season-ending surgery, forcing the Chicago Sky forward to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Still, Reese’s basketball prowess, and her advocacy off the court, played a pivotal role in shaping the season.

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