From the spotlight moments to the top scorers, what remains untold are the impact players who are often left unrecognized for their contribution in strengthening a team, turning teams into the next champions. Over the years, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has had such players who had been left underrepresented.
1. Natasha Cloud
Known for her commanding actions and as a force in the team, Natasha Cloud was drafted in 2015 as the second-round pick by the Washington Mystics.
After playing for nine years, she then signed with the Phoenix Mercury in 2024 but got traded to the Connecticut Sun. The 160 lb player then joined the New York Liberty team as a guard in the 2025 draft season as the seventh pick.
As for her accolades and achievements, she is a 2019 WNBA Champion, 2022 WNBA Peak Performer in Assists, and three-time All-Defensive selection (2019, 2022, 2024). She is also the recipient of the Dawn Staley Leadership Award in 2019.
She remains under the radar, leading teams as the unofficial captain.
2. Courtney Vandersloot
Drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2011 as the third overall pick in round 1, Courtney Vandersloot. In 12 seasons, she was leading in total assists over five seasons (2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) and had the team’s all-time single-game assist record of 18 on August 31, 2020.
The veteran guard led Sky to their first WNBA Championship. She is a five-time WNBA All-Star and currently sits in the second spot on the WNBA’s All-Time Career Assists List.
In the 2023 season, she was traded to the New York Liberty for two seasons. During her tenure she led the team to the 2024 WNBA Championship. There she averaged 8.7 points and 6.6 assists per game.
After being an instrumental player in the Chicago Sky for over 10 seasons, the franchise again signed her during the 2025 free agency.
3. Azurá Stevens
Azura Stevens has been influential as a veteran leader for the Los Angeles Sparks. The LA Sparks signed Stevens as a free agent during the 2023 offseason.
She was drafted into the WNBA in 2018 by the Dallas Wings. Two seasons later she was then signed by the Sky, during which she led the team to the 2021 WNBA Championship.
As a player, Stevens’ ability lies in her length and as a finisher. The team relies on her consistent three-point shots, and her shot-blocking moves pose a threat to its opponent.
4. Teaira McCowan
Currently a free agent, McCowan was waived by the Dallas Wings due to a trade deal with the Minnesota Lynx. She was signed by the Wings in 2022, but it was in 2019 when she was drafted by the Indiana Fever as the third pick.
From the 2019 to the 2024 season, she averaged double figures and a minimum of seven rebounds per game. In the 2025 season, she played 17 games, in which she averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
McCowan played as a substitute player for the majority of the 2025 season, which under-represents her ability to play in the forefront.
5. Ezi Magbegor
Ezi Magbegor, the 2020 WNBA Champion, has been part of the Seattle Storm for the last six seasons after getting her selection in 2019 WNBA draft as the 12th overall pick. In the current season, she has played for 30 games played so far, and is averaging with 7.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game.
As part of the franchise, she is the record holder for most blocks in a season, which is 82. She is also one of the five players in WNBA history with consecutive 70+ blocks from the 2023 and 2024 seasons. And lastly, she is a 3-time WNBA All-Defensive Team winner (2022, 2023, and 2024) and the 2023 WNBA All-Star.
Inputs sorced from [WNBA]
