Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Every WNBA franchise has players who helped define its identity. Whether through championships, MVP-caliber performances, franchise records, longevity, or cultural impact, these stars became synonymous with their teams. Like the famous Mount Rushmore monument, each franchise has a select group of players whose contributions stand above the rest.
Some teams have been built around dynasties that featured multiple Hall of Famers, while others have been shaped by a handful of legendary players who carried the franchise through its most successful eras. The selections below consider individual excellence, team success, longevity, awards, leadership, and lasting legacy with each organization.
WNBA Franchise Mount Rushmores
| Franchise | Mount Rushmore |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Dream | Angel McCoughtry, Tiffany Hayes, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray |
| Chicago Sky | Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley |
| Connecticut Sun (including Orlando Miracle) | Nykesha Sales, Tina Charles, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner |
| Dallas Wings (including Detroit Shock & Tulsa Shock) | Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Swin Cash, Arike Ogunbowale |
| Golden State Valkyries* | To Be Determined |
| Indiana Fever | Tamika Catchings, Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell |
| Las Vegas Aces (including Utah Starzz & San Antonio Stars) | A’ja Wilson, Becky Hammon, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum |
| Los Angeles Sparks | Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, Penny Toler |
| Minnesota Lynx | Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen |
| New York Liberty | Teresa Weatherspoon, Sue Wicks, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart |
| Phoenix Mercury | Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Penny Taylor, Cappie Pondexter |
| Seattle Storm | Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd |
| Washington Mystics | Elena Delle Donne, Kristi Toliver, Alana Beard, Chamique Holdsclaw |
*Golden State Valkyries began play in 2025, making it too early to establish a franchise Mount Rushmore.
Honorable Mentions by Franchise
Even limiting each team to four players leaves out many deserving stars.
| Franchise | Honorable Mentions |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Dream | Erika de Souza, Armintie Price, Courtney Williams |
| Chicago Sky | Sylvia Fowles, Kahleah Copper, Epiphanny Prince |
| Connecticut Sun | Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Asjha Jones, Jasmine Thomas |
| Dallas Wings | Katie Smith, Ruth Riley, Skylar Diggins-Smith |
| Indiana Fever | Katie Douglas, Briann January, Erica Wheeler |
| Las Vegas Aces | Natalie Williams, Becky Young, Jackie Young |
| Los Angeles Sparks | Ticha Penicheiro, Chelsea Gray, Jantel Lavender |
| Minnesota Lynx | Rebekkah Brunson, Napheesa Collier, Katie Smith |
| New York Liberty | Rebecca Lobo, Tina Charles, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton |
| Phoenix Mercury | DeWanna Bonner, Jennifer Gillom, Bridget Pettis |
| Seattle Storm | Swin Cash, Tina Thompson, Natasha Howard |
| Washington Mystics | Crystal Langhorne, Emma Meesseman, Ariel Atkins |
What Defines a Franchise Mount Rushmore?
Several factors were considered when selecting each team’s four greatest players.
- Longevity with the franchise.
- Individual statistics and franchise records.
- MVP, Finals MVP, and major league awards.
- WNBA championships and postseason success.
- All-Star and All-WNBA selections.
- Leadership and cultural impact.
- Lasting influence on the franchise’s history.
Players who combined elite production with championship success naturally ranked highest, while transformative stars with shorter tenures were also considered when their impact fundamentally changed a franchise.
The Most Difficult Selections
Some franchises featured particularly difficult choices due to decades of sustained success.
Minnesota Lynx had perhaps the deepest pool of candidates thanks to one of the greatest dynasties in WNBA history. Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson, and Napheesa Collier all have compelling cases.
Seattle Storm combined multiple championship eras, making it difficult to separate legends such as Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, Swin Cash, Tina Thompson, and Natasha Howard.
Phoenix Mercury has featured Hall of Fame talent almost continuously since the league’s early years, while Los Angeles Sparks also produced several all-time greats beyond their final four selections.
The Greatest Franchise Icons
A handful of players have become virtually inseparable from their franchises.
- Tamika Catchings remains the defining figure in Indiana Fever history.
- Diana Taurasi has become the face of the Phoenix Mercury for more than two decades.
- Sue Bird helped establish the Seattle Storm as one of the league’s model organizations.
- Lisa Leslie was instrumental in building the Los Angeles Sparks into one of the WNBA’s first powerhouse franchises.
- A’ja Wilson has transformed the Las Vegas Aces into the modern standard of excellence through MVP performances and multiple championships.
As the WNBA continues to grow, new superstars will undoubtedly reshape these conversations. Rising players such as Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Rhyne Howard, Aliyah Boston, and others are already building résumés that could redefine their franchises’ Mount Rushmores for future generations.