With the WNBA and WNBPA's CBA agreement deadline set for Jan 9, Negotiations are heating up after both sides extended talks for a second time. Meanwhile, basketball fans have even less time to wait since Unrivaled's 2nd season tips off on Jan 5.

So, here are the five players everyone will be watching in the upcoming WNBA season.​

Caitlin Clark

The Indiana Fever superstar had a season of incredible early highs followed by a groin injury that sidelined her for the majority of the season. Clark torched the defending champion New York Liberty for 32 points with seven three-pointers in June, hitting three consecutive triples in under a minute.

She finished second in the league with 8.8 assists per game despite appearing in just 13 of Indiana's 41 games. A right groin injury sidelined her from July through the season's end, forcing her to miss not only games but also the Commissioner's Cup final and All-Star Game in her home arena.​

Angel Reese

The Chicago Sky forward continues making history while building a strong off-court presence. Reese became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 450 points and 450 rebounds in just 35 games. Later becoming the fastest to hit 500 and 500 in only 38 games.

She averaged 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds in 2025. Not just that, she expanded her business with partnerships including McDonald's (becoming the first women's athlete with a branded meal), Gucci, and NBA 2K. 

Paige Bueckers

The Dallas Wings' No. 1 draft pick delivered an outstanding rookie campaign. Winning Rookie of the Year after averaging 19.2 points and 5.4 assists. She set a rookie scoring record with 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks and became the Wings' franchise rookie scoring leader with over 630 points, surpassing Arike Ogunbowale's mark.

Now she's gearing up for Unrivaled, joining the Breeze BC alongside Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and Dominique Malonga. The Wings hold the No. 1 pick again in the 2026 draft, with potential teammates like top college prospects expected to join Bueckers in rebuilding the franchise.​

A'ja Wilson

The Las Vegas Aces superstar made history in 2025. AW became the 1st player in WNBA history to win four MVP awards. She averaged 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. She set a WNBA single-season record with 13 games of 30-plus points. Also led the league with 937 total points. Her coach, Becky Hammon, declared her greatness openly, "She's on Mt. Rushmore, but she's also Everest. She's at the peak, and ain't nobody else is up there."

Time Magazine named Wilson its Athlete of the Year for 2025. Recognizing her as one of just 4 players in NBA or WNBA history to win four MVPs before age 30, alongside Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James.​

Hailey Van Lith

The Chicago Sky guard was selected 11th overall in the 2025 draft. HVL rookie performance came against Connecticut. She led the Sky with 16 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a block on June 15. Unfortunately, ankle injuries limited her stretch. It forced her to miss the final seven games after appearing in 29 games.

She averaged 3.5 points and 1.6 assists in 12.4 minutes per game. With a healthy offseason ahead, the former LSU star will look to build on her rookie experience and bring out a bigger role in Chicago's backcourt.

Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi