Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Being selected to the All-WNBA First Team is one of the highest individual honors in professional women’s basketball. Unlike awards that recognize a single statistical category, First Team selections reward complete excellence across an entire season. Players must consistently rank among the league’s elite while leading winning teams and impacting games on both ends of the floor.
Only a select group of legends have earned repeated First Team honors, cementing their places among the greatest players in WNBA history.
Most All-WNBA First Team Selections
| Rank | Player | First Team | Second Team | Total All-WNBA Teams | MVP Awards | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diana Taurasi | 10 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Lisa Leslie | 8 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | Tamika Catchings | 7 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | Lauren Jackson | 7 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 | Candace Parker | 7 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | Breanna Stewart | 6+ | 2+ | 8+ | 3 | 3 |
| 7 | A’ja Wilson | 6+ | 1+ | 7+ | 3+ | 2 |
| 8 | Tina Charles | 5 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | Sue Bird | 5 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | Elena Delle Donne | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Most Total All-WNBA Team Selections
| Rank | Player | Total Selections | Career Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diana Taurasi | 14 | Most decorated All-WNBA player ever. |
| 2 | Sue Bird | 13 | Elite longevity and championship leadership. |
| 3 | Lisa Leslie | 12 | Dominated the league’s early years. |
| 4 | Tamika Catchings | 12 | Elite two-way superstar for over a decade. |
| 5 | Candace Parker | 10 | One of the greatest all-around forwards ever. |
| 6 | Tina Charles | 9 | Consistent offensive and rebounding force. |
| 7 | Lauren Jackson | 8 | Three-time MVP despite injury-shortened career. |
| 8 | Breanna Stewart | 8+ | Continues adding to an already legendary résumé. |
| 9 | Sylvia Fowles | 8 | Defensive anchor with remarkable consistency. |
| 10 | A’ja Wilson | 7+ | Modern superstar still building her legacy. |
Multi-Time MVPs Who Dominated the First Team
| Player | MVP Awards | First Team Selections |
|---|---|---|
| Lisa Leslie | 3 | 8 |
| Lauren Jackson | 3 | 7 |
| Breanna Stewart | 3 | 6+ |
| A’ja Wilson | 3+ | 6+ |
| Candace Parker | 2 | 7 |
| Elena Delle Donne | 2 | 5 |
| Diana Taurasi | 1 | 10 |
| Tamika Catchings | 1 | 7 |
| Tina Charles | 1 | 5 |
First Team Legends by Position
Guards
| Player | Why They Excelled |
|---|---|
| Diana Taurasi | Greatest scorer and one of the greatest offensive players ever. |
| Sue Bird | Elite leadership and playmaking over 21 seasons. |
| Cynthia Cooper | Dominated the league’s earliest years. |
| Becky Hammon | Elite shooter and floor general. |
| Cappie Pondexter | Dynamic scoring guard during her prime. |
Forwards
| Player | Why They Excelled |
|---|---|
| Candace Parker | Complete two-way superstar. |
| Tamika Catchings | Elite defender, rebounder, and scorer. |
| Breanna Stewart | Versatile offensive and defensive force. |
| Maya Moore | Championship-winning scorer and leader. |
| Elena Delle Donne | Historically efficient offensive player. |
Centers
| Player | Why They Excelled |
|---|---|
| Lisa Leslie | Defined excellence at the center position. |
| Lauren Jackson | Revolutionary inside-outside scorer. |
| Sylvia Fowles | Dominant interior defender and rebounder. |
| Tina Charles | Elite low-post scorer and rebounder. |
| A’ja Wilson | Modern superstar redefining frontcourt play. |
Traits Shared by First Team Legends
The league’s most decorated First Team selections consistently demonstrated:
- Elite production on both ends of the floor.
- Leadership on championship-caliber teams.
- Durability across multiple seasons.
- Ability to dominate statistically while contributing to winning basketball.
- Consistent excellence against the league’s toughest competition.
- Adaptability as the WNBA evolved.
Earning one First Team selection is a remarkable achievement. Earning five or more places a player among the greatest legends the sport has ever seen.
The Greatest All-WNBA First Team Legends
Diana Taurasi owns the most All-WNBA First Team selections in league history, reflecting two decades of offensive brilliance, leadership, and remarkable consistency. Her longevity and production make her one of the most decorated players the WNBA has ever seen.
Lisa Leslie established the standard for excellence during the league’s formative years, collecting MVP awards, championships, and First Team honors while helping elevate the WNBA’s national profile.
Tamika Catchings combined elite defense with outstanding all-around production, earning repeated First Team recognition as one of the greatest two-way players in basketball history.
Lauren Jackson, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson each dominated their respective eras, redefining what frontcourt stars could accomplish through their scoring, versatility, and defensive impact.
These legends represent the highest level of sustained excellence in the WNBA. Their repeated All-WNBA First Team selections reflect not only extraordinary individual talent, but also the consistency, leadership, and winning impact that define truly historic careers.