Her Hoop Stats WNBA Top 50 Part IV, 20–11
Welcome back to the Her Hoop Stats WNBA Top 50! Today, we begin our countdown of the top 20 players. If you’ve missed any of our previous lists, they can be found here:
Let’s get to it!
20. Chiney Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
Age: 27|2019 Stats: 9.6 Points/5.8 Rebounds/0.8 Assists
Ogwumike took a reduced role after she landed in Los Angeles via trade prior to the start of the season. Starting only 14 games, she turned in a lower than average stat line. However, she has shown the ability to score big numbers when needed as she hit 15 or more points in eleven games this season.
19. Kayla McBride, Las Vegas Aces
Age: 27|2019 Stats: 13.3 Points/4.1 Rebounds/2.6 Assists
McBride set career highs in rebounds, steals, and three-point percentage this season. She has consistently been among the top 25 in multiple offensive categories including points, field goals made, three-pointers made, three-point percentage, free throws made, free throw percentage, assists, and steals. Over seven career playoff games, McBride has averaged 50.0% from the field, 48.4% from deep, and 96.3% from the charity stripe.
18. Tina Charles, New York Liberty
Age: 30|2019 Stats: 16.9 Points/7.5 Rebounds/2.4 Assists
Tina Charles might be the greatest player who’s yet to win a WNBA title. Her list of accolades includes eight All-WNBA selections, four All-Defensive Team selections, a Most Valuable Player Award, and a Rookie of the Year award. Charles has always been a big time scorer, averaging 18.1 points over the course of her career and finishing outside the top 10 in scoring only once (in 2009, when she finished 13th). Her playoff numbers are equally as impressive. Over 15 total playoff games, Charles has averaged 18.5 points on 43.2% shooting, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.
17. Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky
Age: 24|2019 Stats: 16.2 Points/5.5 Rebounds/2.4 Assists
If there is one player who made the leap from solid player to potential superstar this season, it’s Diamond DeShields. In her second season, DeShields hit career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Her improved play resulted in her being named to the All-WNBA Second Team. With the Chicago Sky making the playoffs this year, DeShields was given the opportunity to show what she could do under the spotlight. Not one to disappoint, she went off for 25 points in Chicago’s single-elimination game win against Phoenix on September 11. Although the Sky lost their next game to Las Vegas, DeShields still poured 23 points on the Las Vegas Aces defense. She’s a hungry player who proved she can handle the pressure of the playoffs.
16. Emma Meesseman, Washington Mystics
Age: 26|2019 Stats: 13.1 Points/4.2 Rebounds/3.2 Assists
Playoff Emma! Meesseman showed her ability to rise to the occasion during the 2019 playoffs, elevating her game to win not only the WNBA Finals, but Finals MVP honors, as well. Over nine playoff games (she started only three), Meesseman averaged 19.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. She also shot an impressive 58.2 percent from the floor, along with 58.1 percent from deep.
15. Skylar Diggins-Smith, Dallas Wings
Age: 29|2018 Stats: 17.9 Points/3.3 Rebounds/6.2 Assists
After giving birth during the offseason, Diggins-Smith missed the entirety of the 2019 season. However, she will be returning to the court in 2020. The two-time All-WNBA First Team selection has been a workhorse since her debut, leading the league in minutes played, scoring and assists averages three times.
14. DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury
Age: 32|2019 Stats: 17.2 Points/7.6 Rebounds/2.7 Assists
A true workhorse, Bonner has finished in the top four in minutes played in five of the last seven seasons. This past season, she finished in the top five in minutes played, points, free throws (made and attempted), and defensive rebounds per game. During the Phoenix Mercury’s seven-game playoff run in 2018, Bonner averaged 24.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals. She shot 53.5% from the floor and 90.9% from the free-throw line.
13. Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
Age: 33|2019 Stats: 11.2 Points/6.4 Rebounds/3.5 Assists
Eight All-WNBA selections, two MVP awards, a WNBA Finals MVP - the list of accolades for Candace Parker is impressive. Over the course of her career, Parker has averaged an even 17.0 points per game, while shooting 48.0% from the field. She has multiple top-10 finishes in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, making her one of the best players of her generation. She’s played in numerous big games in the playoffs and has shown consistency throughout her career. Despite missing 12 games this season due to various injuries, look for Parker to return to form next season and continue putting up those big numbers.
12. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Age: 23|2019 Stats: 16.5 Points/6.5 Rebounds/1.8 Assists
A’ja Wilson took the WNBA by storm during her rookie season in 2018. She finished third in points, first in free throws made and attempted, and sixth in both rebounds and blocks. While her overall production decreased this season (due in part to the Ace’s acquisition of All-Star Liz Cambage), Wilson still showed she can be an offensive force. She scored 20 or more points in seven games this season, including a career-high 39 against Indiana on June 29. She also made improvements in her field goal and free-throw percentages. An ankle sprain limited her to only 26 games this season, but her she showed no signs of slowing upon her return to the court.
11. Sue Bird, Seattle Storm
Age: 39|2018 Stats: 10.1 Points/1.7 Rebounds/7.1 Assists
A three-time WNBA Champion, the all-time WNBA assist leader, the all-time leader in starts, eleven-time All-Star, five-time WNBA First Team selection, the list can go on forever. Sue Bird is arguably the greatest point guard to ever play the game. She has the experience, ability, and leadership skills that are needed for any championship contender. And like a fine wine, Bird just gets better with age. In 2018, her 16th year in the league, she averaged 7.1 assists per game, her highest average ever.
Join us tomorrow as we reveal our top 10 that includes multiple MVP winners, All-WNBA selections, and much more!
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