Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner winds up at No. 12 in this ranking upon completion of her 12th season in the W. She continues to be one of the faces of the WNBA and a symbol of power and resilience to all who follow her. In typical BG fashion, she collected tremendous stats throughout the season, averaging 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. She may be far from her peak as the back-to-back WNBA Defensive Player of the Year but she has remained prominent in the league alongside a multitude of stars that she calls her teammates.

By the numbers, she is still a marvel on both ends of the floor. Yes, she is in the top 15 in both points and rebounds per game, and third in blocks per game, but her efficiency numbers and advanced statistics help tell the story of her complete value. Her effective field goal and true shooting percentages are fourth and second league-wide. She may miss more games and play less minutes than the other stars in the league anymore, but there is not much you can say about BG when she is on the court. She is still the player she has always been.

The thing that will stick with people a decade from now as they look back on the 2024 season is how inspiring Griner has been despite the horrors that life has thrown at her. To miss an entire season is tough enough on a player, but to take a year off because you’ve spent 293 days incarcerated in a Russian prison is something different altogether. Just to make it back to the United States and play basketball in any capacity is motivational, but to remain at the top of your game and among the best to play is downright galvanizing. BG is the gold standard of being a professional athlete in all that it entails.