There are a great deal of differences between the NBA and the WNBA. The men’s game is a global juggernaut and produces billions in revenue. However, its counterpart struggles for recognition in a crowded sporting schedule in the United States.

However, there is no shortage of talent in the competition, and there have been some truly great athletes to have participated in the league. They have lacked the notoriety and the financial rewards that the men’s game enjoys in abundance, which is the biggest difference in comparing the NBA vs WNBA.

Diana Taurasi and Lisa Leslie are regarded as the best players to have graced the WNBA. Taurasi continues to operate in the league, although at the age of 38, her days at the peak of her powers are gone.

She has been forced to watch a new crop of talent rise and take her place as the leading players in the WNBA. We’ll now look at the top three players that plying their trade at the top of the league based on their performances in recent years and the truncated 2020 campaign.

A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)

Wilson excelled immediately in the WNBA after arriving in the league from the college ranks in 2018. She was the number one pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and has lived up to the billing in her first three seasons, being named an All-Star in back-to-back years. Wilson is certainly having another All-Star calibre campaign and could be in the running for the MVP award.

The 24-year-old has been extremely productive in the final third, averaging 18.8 points per game in her first two seasons. However, Wilson has taken her performances to the next level in 2020, averaging 22.3 thus far into the shortened season. She is certainly a player to watch as the season progresses to see if she can maintain the high standard of her form. The Aces are not a franchise that has enjoyed success in the WNBA, but Wilson alone could change that due to her talent.

Elena Delle Donne (Washington Mystics)

The reigning MVP has not been competing in the league this term for health reasons. However, Delle Donne is perhaps the most dominant player in the WNBA when on the court. It was certainly the case last term when she guided the Mystics to the WNBA crown. The 30-year-old has been a model of consistency in her eight years in the league. Delle Donne does not quite have the shooting process of other players in the league, although in her best campaign she did average 23.4 points per game for the Chicago Sky, winning the MVP award in the process.

In her run to the award last season, Delle Donne was efficient, especially from the free-throw line. No player has been more effective from the line in the history of the league than the 30-year-old. Based on their results thus far this term, Washington have missed her impact on the court. The sooner she returns the better for their prospects and that of the standard of the league.

Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm)

Stewart was named MVP in the 2018 season and also was named WNBA Finals MVP for her exploits in the Storm’s triumph. The 25-year-old has been nothing short of sensational during her four-year career, although she was robbed of her 2019 campaign by an ankle injury. Stewart won championships with the UConn Huskies in each of her four seasons in the college ranks.

She is a winning machine, dominating at both ends of the court. Stewart has displayed deadly accuracy and potency in the final third, averaging 20 points and three assists per game during her career. Her defensive exploits are equally impressive – Stewart is the perfect player and is perhaps the primary reason why Seattle could be on course for a return to the WNBA Finals this term.

Each player will certainly be one to watch next season, with fans eager to see the highest level of the WNBA game showcased.