Our Crush & Rush News 2026 WNBA Top 20 Player rankings already showed how far off ESPN’s list was.
This next group tells the same story.
ESPN leans on star power and reputation. We focus on what actually happens on the court.
This list is built on four things: scoring efficiency, defense, playmaking, rebounding, and how each player impacts winning possessions.
The result is a group where defensive anchors rise, role players get proper value, and some familiar names fall when you look beyond points and reputation.
Crush & Rush News WNBA TOP WNBA Players (21-40)
Check out our 2026 preseason top 20 WNBA player rankings, and please check out our WNBA 2026 Preseason Power Rankings.
Off Net = scoring + playmaking + efficiency | Def Net = defense + rim protection + impact
| Rank | Player | Off Net | Def Net | Elite Categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Gabby Williams | Average | Elite | Defense, Versatility |
| 22 | Kayla McBride | High | Average | Shooting |
| 23 | Courtney Williams | High | Average | Playmaking |
| 24 | Ariel Atkins | Average | High | Perimeter Defense |
| 25 | Brittney Sykes | Average | High | Defense |
| 26 | Alanna Smith | Average | Elite | Rim Protection |
| 27 | Ezi Magbegor | Average | Elite | Rim Protection |
| 28 | Kamilla Cardoso | High | High | Rebounding |
| 29 | Sonia Citron | High | High | Efficiency |
| 30 | Kiki Iriafen | High | Average | Rebounding |
| 31 | Rickea Jackson | High | Average | Scoring |
| 32 | Veronica Burton | Average | High | Playmaking |
| 33 | Azura Stevens | High | High | Versatility |
| 34 | Kayla Thornton | High | Average | Energy |
| 35 | DiJonai Carrington | Average | High | Defense |
| 36 | Jewell Loyd | High | Below Avg | Scoring |
| 37 | Marina Mabrey | High | Below Avg | Shot Creation |
| 38 | Tiffany Hayes | Average | Average | Veteran Impact |
| 39 | Jordin Canada | Average | High | Defense, Playmaking |
| 40 | Brittney Griner | Average | Average | Interior Presence |
Where This List Differs From ESPN
The same issue reappears in our 2026 WNBA Player Rankings, 21–40 range. The ESPN list continues to favor scoring and reputation over overall impact.
Take Ezi Magbegor. ESPN has her near the bottom of this group. That does not reflect what she does on the court. She protects the rim, alters shots, and changes how offenses attack the paint. That kind of defense affects every possession.
Now look at Alanna Smith. She anchors defense, blocks shots, and can switch across positions. Players like that rarely put up big scoring numbers, but they win games. That value is easy to miss if you focus only on points.
Another example is Gabby Williams. Her impact comes from defense, steals and versatility. She does a little bit of everything and makes teams better without needing the ball in her hands.
On the other side, high-volume scorers like Jewell Loyd and Marina Mabrey are placed higher in traditional rankings because of their scoring ability.
In our Crush & Rush News WNBA model, they slide down because efficiency and defense matter just as much as points.
The Bottom Line
This part of the list follows the same structure as the top 20:
- Players who defend and impact multiple areas move up
- Players who rely on scoring alone move down
- Role players who help teams win are properly valued
That is the difference. We are not ranking names. We are ranking impact.
