Rhyne Howard

Rhyne Howard is one of the youngest players on this list but her play warrants this high of a spot. The Atlanta Dream guard is just three years into her WNBA career but is already decorated with two All-Star appearances and a Rookie of the Year Award to her name. But Howard did not slow down this year, scoring 17.3 points per game while adding 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals per contest. Her ability to play both ways is invaluable to the Dream.

To move up the list, Howard could expand her offensive game and develop more of an ability to score inside. In a sense, she is the perfect “three and D” player, as she was top 10 in the W in both 3-point field goals and attempts, as well as fourth in steals per game. But over half of her shot attempts in 2024 were from beyond the 3-point line. She is a great shooter from deep but also a tremendous finisher at the rim by the percentages, so it would benefit her and her team if she was able to get to the rim more.

Howard will be a player to watch in 2025 because, as mentioned, she is still very young and will continue to see an expanded role on a relatively young Atlanta Dream team. Seven players on the Dream last season had two or fewer years of experience in the W, and Tina Charles may not play next season. Even if she does, surely Howard will be asked to shoulder more of a load as the WNBA expands its schedule and Charles’ role declines with age. Such a role would effectively make it “her team” and could catapult Howard into becoming the face of the Atlanta Dream sooner rather than later.