By Leah jones
Since the WNBA's first season in 1997, one player has been awarded the title of MVP each year.
Here are some of the players that have taken home the prestigious prize.
Cynthia Cooper was the first player to be awarded the MVP Award in 1997. She played guard for the Houston Comets and was also MVP in 1998.
Sherly Swoopes played as a guard/forward for the Houston Comets. She was the first player to win the MVP award three times in 2000, 2002 and 2005.
Lisa Leslie is one of only three players to win the award three times. She played center for the Los Angeles Sparks and was MVP in the years 2001, 2004 and 2006.
Lauren Jackson, forward/center for the Seattle Storm, is the only other player to win the MVP award three times. She is also the only player trained outside of the US to win MVP.
Tamika Catchings, small forward for the Indian Fever, won MVP in 2011. She and all previous players on this list were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Candace Parker won MVP in 2008 and 2013 as mainly a forward for the LA Sparks. She also won Rookie of the Year in 2008 and is the only player to win both awards in one season.
Nneka Ogwumike won the MVP award in 2016 as a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks. This made the Sparks the WNBA team with the most MVPs.
Jonqeul Jones won MVP in 2021 as a power forward/center for the Connecticut Sun. She is the first player to win the WNBA awards: Sixth Woman of the Year, Most Improved Player and MVP.
A'ja Wilson plays center for the Las Vegas Aces and has won the MVP award in 2020 and 2022. She has given the Aces their first two MVP awards.
Breanna Stewart has won MVP twice. First as a forward for the Seattle Storm in 2018 and later the New York Liberty in 2023. She gave the Liberty its first MVP win.