We live in a world of beauty queens, top models, and social media influencers. But sometimes the most beautiful women are found on the basketball court. Using this criteria, we’ve compiled a list of the hottest female basketball players to ever play at any level. What is it that makes these players so attractive? Sure they’re sporting some seriously toned bodies (and let’s be honest, they’re all stunning), but many fans also say it’s their downright swag that makes them stand out.
1. Brenna Stewart
| Full Name | Breanna Mackenzie Stewart |
| Day of Birth | August 27, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Syracuse, New York, US |
The University of Connecticut senior leads the NCAA in scoring, leading her team to a March Madness berth. Stewart’s accolades include multiple Kodak and USA Basketball honors, including gold medals at both the 2014 FIBA World Championship (Junior) and the 2016 Rio Olympics (Senior). Brenna Stewart was named an All-American three times (2014-2016), was an AP Player of the Year finalist in 2015, and was named WBCA Player of the Year Finalist.
2. Jonquel Jones
| Full Name | Jonquel Orthea Jones |
| Day of Birth | January 5, 1994 (age 28) |
| Place of Birth | Freeport, Bahamas |
The athletic player in the WNBA, Jones is always a crowd favorite. She’s always participating in some big play and is continuously one of her team’s top scorers. But it might be her off-the-court style that is making fans fall for her even more. She has been known to wear outfits more on the flirty side – like this strappy yellow dress with a slit up the side. We love how she goes for a little more revealing look but still keeps it classy.
3. Lauren Jackson
| Full Name | Lauren Elizabeth Jackson |
| Day of Birth | May 11, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Albury, Australia |
Lauren Elizabeth Jackson, born 11 May 1981 in Albury, New South Wales, is a professional Australian and European basket ball player. She played for the Australian Institute of Sport team from 1997 to 2000 and the Sydney Storm from 2001 to 2012, . She is the daughter of Gary Jackson and Maree Jackson, and has a brothers.
4. Sylvia Fowles
| Full Name | Sylvia Shaqueria Fowles |
| Day of Birth | October 6, 1985 (age 37) |
| Place of Birth | Miami, Florida |
The average female athlete isn’t supposed to look like a model. For example, if you put the average male soccer player next to the average female soccer player, most people would have to say she’s the one that looks better in shorts. But Sylvia Fowles, who is a professional basketball center and member of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, doesn’t fit this mold.
5. Tina Charles
| Full Name | Tina Alexandria Charles |
| Day of Birth | December 5, 1988 (age 33) |
| Place of Birth | New York City, US |
7’1″ power forward for the UConn Huskies, Charles didn’t wow viewers with her athleticism. But her seemingly nonchalant ability to shoot, rebound, and score at will made her one of the most dominant players in college basketball history.
6. A’ja Wilson
| Full Name | A’ja Riyadh Wilson |
| Day of Birth | August 8, 1996 (age 26) |
| Place of Birth | Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
A’ja Wilson is the nation’s top college basketball player, but she doesn’t stand alone on our list. Wilson is one of the most dominant players in the sport, making her a constant threat to make an offensive rebound or find an open teammate for a three-point shot. In fact, she’s South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer with 3,313 points and 2nd all-time in rebounds with 2,081.
7. Courtney Vandersloot
| Full Name | Courtney Vandersloot |
| Day of Birth | February 8, 1989 (age 33) |
| Place of Birth | Kent, Washington |
Vandersloot was the first lady to play collegiate basketball at the Division II level. Known as “Coco,” Vandersloot was drafted by the Indiana Fever in 2010, becoming the first woman to be drafted in their organization’s history. Vandersloot appeared in five games for the Fever, averaging 4.7 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game.
8. Napheesa Collier
| Full Name | Napheesa Collier |
| Day of Birth | September 23, 1996 |
| Place of Birth | O’Fallon, Missouri |
Napheesa Collier ‘s currently a junior at the University of Connecticut, averaging 14.7 points per game. While not a major player in the Women’s Basketball Association last season, the sportswear company Nike featured her in one of their commercials. In 2016, she was named to the Associated Press women’s All-American third team and to the WBCA Allstate Good Works Team (she was also on the 2017 team).
9. Skylar Diggins-Smith
| Full Name | Skylar Kierra Diggins-Smith |
| Day of Birth | August 2, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | South Bend, Indiana |
This tubby little girl couldn’t have been more than five feet tall when she started playing basketball at the age of 13, but she reeled in so many men simply by being herself. Skylar is known for her adorable, outgoing personality and she’s also known for being a top scorer at every level. With her abilities as a point guard, it’s easy to see why a high school coach would want this short girl on his team.
10. DeWanna Bonner
| Full Name | DeWanna Bonner |
| Day of Birth | August 21, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | American / Macedonian |
The 30-year-old forward for the Phoenix Mercury is one of the most attractive women in sports. Known as “Ms. Swag” by her fans, she’s the owner of a number of tattoos including two on her fingers that spell out “Bonner.” She also has a tattoo of “Mr. Swag” on her neck and another on her left forearm with her father’s name written in Arabic (he used to be an army officer).
11. Jewell Loyd
| Full Name | Jewell Loyd |
| Day of Birth | October 5, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Lincolnwood, Illinois |
Jewell Loyd is an American basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was selected third overall in the 2015 WNBA Draft. In four years at Notre Dame, she scored 3,022 points which is second all-time in Fighting Irish history. In her senior year, she scored 616 points, including a school-record 60 points in a game against No. 16 Duke University.
12. Candace Parker
| Full Name | Candace Nicole Parker |
| Day of Birth | April 19, 1986 (age 36) |
| Place of Birth | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
Let’s start with a very obvious choice: Candace Parker. She is currently a member of the Los Angeles Sparks. In 2011, she was the WNBA MVP and was named the WNBA Finals MVP in 2011, 2013, and 2014. In addition to winning 4 championships with the Sparks, her teams have appeared in 6 Women’s National Basketball Association Finals.
13. Sami Whitcomb
| Full Name | Samantha Allison Whitcomb |
| Day of Birth | July 20, 1988 (age 34) |
| Place of Birth | Ventura, California |
The NCAA and WNBA veteran was named the 2010 Horizon League Player of the Year. Sami was named to the All-Horizon League team in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Whitcomb also stood out on her high school team in college, picking up All-Ohio honors as a senior. Under Armour honored Whitcomb by naming her “The Most Versatile Player in College Basketball.
14. Liz Cambage
| Full Name | Elizabeth Folake Cambage |
| Day of Birth | 18 August 1991 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
Liz Cambage has one of the prettiest handles in the WNBA and has also played in the Australian WNBL, showing that she can still show up anywhere. She’s 6’8″ and (not only) hits everything. Her game is incredibly beautiful to watch, with a level of finesse that is hard to find.
15. Nneka Ogwumike
| Full Name | Nnemkadi Chinwe Victoria “Nneka” Ogwumike |
| Day of Birth | July 2, 1990 (age 32) |
| Place of Birth | Tomball, Texas, U. S. |
Nneka Ogwumike UCLA star and 2018 WNBA All-Star is a total heart stealer and our number one pick for top female basketball player to ever play the game. Named the 2017 WNBA MVP, she definitely lives up to that title.
16. Kayla McBride
| Full Name | Kayla Renae McBride |
| Day of Birth | June 25, 1992 (age 30) |
| Place of Birth | Erie, Pennsylvania |
Kayla McBride is from South Carolina. She’s a guard on the US National Team and was a two-time All-American while playing for Notre Dame College. She’s also an Olympic Gold Medalist, having played on the 2016 Olympic team that won gold at the Rio Olympics. McBride has been named one of ESPN’s 30 Under 30 and is currently a member of the Dallas Wings in the WNBA.
17. Arike Ogunbowale
| Full Name | Arike Ogunbowale |
| Day of Birth | March 2, 1997) |
| Place of Birth | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Arike Ogunbowale might be just 19-years-old but she’s a household name in the world of sports. She’s quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best female basketball players in history and is the youngest player to ever be ranked #1 overall in the United States. She’s also becoming known for her love of food. In an interview with Sports Illustrated she said that if she could have any meal for free to eat for the rest of her life, it would be ice cream.
18. Allisha Gray
| Full Name | Allisha Gray |
| Day of Birth | January 12, 1995) |
| Place of Birth | Greenwood, South Carolina |
Allisha Gray brings it to the court, and she does three things at once. But really, once you know the secret weapon she uses to get to her post-ups and shot elbow-dunks it all makes sense. Gray’s got a secret weapon: her hair. The 5’9 junior forward/center out of Woodland Hills, California is almost always pulling back her signature mane while she runs up and down the court.
19. Sabrina Ionescu
| Full Name | Sabrina Elaine Ionescu |
| Day of Birth | December 6, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Walnut Creek, California |
Sabrina Ionescu may be the most talented player today. The freshman star also happens to be a social media sensation with 1.1 million Instagram followers, 888k Twitter followers, 1.9 million Facebook fans, and her own website. Her powerful ability to put the ball in the basket is only challenged by her seemingly effortless ability to put on a show for the camera.
20. Sue Bird
| Full Name | Suzanne Brigit Bird |
| Day of Birth | October 16, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Syosset, New York |
Sue Bird is another one of the most beautiful female basketball players that has played in the WNBA. She has been a part of the Seattle Storm for 10 years. During her time with the Storm, she has won three titles and was named to multiple All-Star teams. Bird has been a dominant force on both ends of the court, having averaged double digit points in every season that she’s played in the WNBA.
21. Allie Quigley
| Full Name | Alexandria “Allie” Quigley |
| Day of Birth | June 20, 1986) |
| Place of Birth | Joliet, Illinois |
Allie Quigley is a WNBA player for the Chicago Sky. She’s been in the league since 2013, and she’s won several championships in her career. She recently scored a triple-double, which was the first time that had happened in a game between two teams from different countries. Quigley has also helped Team USA win gold twice at the FIBA Americas Championship and once at the FIBA World Championship for Women.
22. Diana Taurasi
| Full Name | Diana Lorena Taurasi |
| Day of Birth | June 11, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Chino, California, U.S. |
Diana Taurasi is a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. She is one of only three women to have played in four WNBA Finals and is widely regarded as one of the best players in WNBA history.
23. Elena Delle Donne
| Full Name | Elena Delle Donne |
| Day of Birth | September 5, 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Wilmington, Delaware, USA |
Elena Delle Donne is a talented basketball player for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA. She also plays for the Chicago Sky in her hometown. She’s a bit of a hybrid, as she uses both styles of play: inside and outside. Her ball-handling skills gracefully glide across the court, while her shooting and scoring highlights are often heard around the stadium.
24. Kelsey Plum
| Full Name | Kelsey Christine Plum |
| Day of Birth | August 24, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Poway, California, U.S. |
Kelsey Plum was born in British Columbia but now plays for the USC Trojans freshman team. Some say her moves are like “a cross between Anderson Varejao and Tina Charles.” She’s the 5’8″ point guard who splits the ball to both wing players and guards. Some have compared her playing style to that of Steph Curry.
25. Myisha Hines-Allen
| Full Name | Myisha Hines-Allen |
| Day of Birth | May 30, 1996) |
| Place of Birth | Montclair, New Jersey |
An All-American at Liberty University, Hines-Allen was nicknamed the “GODSENT,” but it wasn’t her spot on the court that most impressed. Often described as a ball of energy and a bundle of positive energy for her teammates, Hines-Allen was known to be one of the most competitive players in college basketball. Her competitive nature is undoubtedly what attracted Kobe Bryant to enroll at Indiana State University.
26. Erica Wheeler
| Full Name | Erica Wheeler |
| Day of Birth | May 2, 1991 |
| Place of Birth | Miami, Florida |
These days, Erica is mostly known for her appearance in Magic Mike and the Orlando Magic’s first WNBA championship. But when she was playing for the University of Texas at Austin, Erica was a leading scorer on the school’s women’s basketball team. Her WNBA draft rights were traded to the Phoenix Mercury in 2008 and she has since gone on to win three championships with the Mercury. But even as a youngster, she had what it takes to be an elite athlete.
27. Marina Mabrey
| Full Name | Marina Mabrey |
| Day of Birth | September 14, 1996 |
| Place of Birth | Belmar, New Jersey |
The University of Michigan and the NBA. Mabrey played for four teams in the WNBA, from 2011-2017. Some of her achievements include being named Rookie of the Year and MVP, winning a championship with the Phoenix Mercury, and being a part of three Olympic teams for Team USA.
28. Nia Coffey
| Full Name | Nia Coffey |
| Day of Birth | June 11, 1995) |
| Place of Birth | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Nia Coffey is the best female basketball player of all time. She once declared that she would beat Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one, and she has been dubbed the “female Kobe Bryant.” Although her college shooting percentages were always low, Coffey did average 26 points per game in high school and was named MVP at the McDonald’s All-American Game.
29. Betnijah Laney
| Full Name | Betnijah Laney |
| Day of Birth | October 29, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Clayton, Delaware |
Betnijah Laney has been playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted by the New York Liberty in 2016, but only played one season before joining the Los Angeles Sparks.
30. Cheyenne Parker
| Full Name | Cheyenne Parker |
| Day of Birth | August 22, 1992) |
| Place of Birth | Queens, New York |
Cheyenne Parker is known for her suplex slam dunk moves. But what really made her famous was the photo above when she got down on one knee to propose to her longtime boyfriend and coach, Eric Williams. The two were inseparable throughout Parker’s basketball career at the University of Maryland, where she posted 400 assists in three seasons and set a school record for single-season assists (218).
31. Lindsay Whalen
| Full Name | Lindsay Marie Whalen |
| Day of Birth | May 9, 1982) |
| Place of Birth | Hutchinson, Minnesota |
The University of Minnesota’s women’s basketball team is coached by Lindsay Marie Whalen. Her first professional gig was with the Connecticut Sun of the National Women’s Basketball Association, where she played point guard.
32. Cynthia Cooper
Cynthia Cooper, a former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star, earned an Olympic gold medal with the United States team in 1988. The Houston Comets were her team. At the University of North Carolina, she is the head women’s basketball coach. There is a widespread consensus that she is one of the game’s all-time greats.
| Full Name | Cynthia Lynne Cooper-Dyke |
| Day of Birth | April 14, 1963 |
| Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois |
34. Chamique Holdsclaw
Previously, former professional basketball player Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw had a contract with the San Antonio Silver Stars of the Women’s National Basketball Association in the United States. Holderclaw was born in the United States.
| Full Name | Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw |
| Day of Birth | August 9, 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Queens, New York |
35. Tamika Catchings
Tamika Devonne Catchings, an American who played basketball professionally for 15 years, spent her whole career with the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Catchings is a former professional basketball player.
| Full Name | Tamika Devonne Catchings |
| Day of Birth | July 21, 1979 |
| Place of Birth | Stratford, New Jersey |
36. Maya Moore
Maya Moore, a native of Jefferson City, Missouri, is now playing basketball at the professional level. Maya April Moore was her given name at birth. It was way past time that they acknowledged her accomplishments by naming her their first Artist of the Year for 2017.
To put it simply, Moore has more victories than anyone else in women’s basketball. After leading Connecticut to an undefeated national title in 2009, she was chosen as the recipient of the John Wooden Award.
| Full Name | Maya April Moore |
| Day of Birth | June 11, 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Jefferson City, Missouri, US |
37. Angel McCoughtry
Angel Lajuane McCoughtry is a former professional basketball player who competed with the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association. She won the gold medal at the Olympics on two separate occasions. McCoughtry received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville in the year 2009.
| Full Name | Angel McCoughtry |
| Day of Birth | September 10, 1986) |
| Place of Birth | American |
38. Lisa Leslie
Lisa Deshaun Leslie, who goes by her middle name, is a former professional basketball player, actress, and author in the United States. She is an ex-National Women’s Basketball Association player (WNBA). After winning four gold medals at the Olympics, Leslie won the WNBA MVP award three times.
In 1997, she was selected seventh overall in the first-ever WNBA draft. During her eleven years in the WNBA, Lisa earned eight All-Star nods and two championship rings while playing for USC. Before retiring in 2009, she played in a tournament with the Los Angeles Sparks.
| Full Name | Lisa Deshaun Leslie |
| Day of Birth | July 7, 1972) |
| Place of Birth | Compton, California, US |
39. Valentina Vignali
Basketball player Valentina Vignali (born in 1991 in Italy) competes with the Smit Roma Centro team. The 28-year-old woman, who appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine in 2013, was chosen the sexiest basketball player in the world due to her stunning good looks, blazing hot figure, and towering height. She started playing basketball at the tender age of eight, and in 2007 she made her debut with the Cervia team of Italy’s Serie A2. At a 2014 ceremony honoring the best Italian basketball players, Vignali took the silver.
| Full Name | Violavalentina Vignali |
| Day of Birth | 30 May 1991 |
| Place of Birth | Rimini |
40. Natalya Zhedik
Basketball star Natalya Valeryevna Zhedik is from Russia. She was a member of Nadezhda Orenburg of the RPL and the Russian women’s basketball team, both of which she played for during the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Zhedik made her NBA debut in 2007 while wearing the uniform of the WBC Spartak Saint Petersburg team. She’s been a professional player for over a decade and still shows no signs of slowing down or losing her quickness and toughness. 8X is 1.83 meters tall. The 31-year-old athlete’s excellent physique has earned him a spot in the world’s top 10 most attractive basketball players, as voted on by readers of sports magazines.
| Full Name | Natalya Valeryevna Zhedik |
| Day of Birth | 11 July 1988) |
| Place of Birth | Leningrad, Russia |
41. Antonija Misura
A professional footballer, a dribbler, and a goal scorer for Polish club CCC Polkowice, Antonija Misura (born in 1988 in Croatia). 8X competed on the Croatian national basketball team, helping them to a bronze medal at the 2009 Mediterranean Games, a fifth-place finish at the 2011 EuroBasket Women’s Championships, and a tenth-place finish at the 2012 London Olympics.
| Full Name | Antonija Sandrić |
| Day of Birth | May 19, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Šibenik, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia |
42. Anna Petrakova
Russia’s top professional basketball player, Anna Viktorovna Petrakova-Parker. She competed in basketball for the Russian national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics, where her squad placed in the top five.
| Full Name | Anna Viktorovna Petrakova-Parker |
| Day of Birth | 4 December 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Budapest, Hungary |
43. Dewa Ayu Made Sriartha
She was a familiar opponent when the Vietnamese female team competed against Ayu Sriartha at ABL 3×3 2022 in Bali. As the 31st SEA Games progressed, the Indonesian female player continued to stun with her feminine beauty and bright smile while competing on the 3×3 squad. This athlete, born in 1998, is one of the most recognizable figures in Indonesian basketball. Not only is Ayu Sriartha stunning to look at, but she’s also a gifted football player. Nearly 43,000 people follow her on Instagram.
| Full Name | Dewa Ayu Made Sriartha KUSUMA |
| Day of Birth | 20 Nov 1998 |
| Place of Birth | INA |
44. Angelica Marie Surada
The fearsome power of the “southeast Asian basketball empire” and the remarkable beauty in the squad are present on the Philippine women’s basketball team. Angelica is the female player wearing the number eight jersey.
The Philippine head coach is quite familiar with this year’s female player, even though she is only 21. Angelica may only be 1m65 in height, but her long arm reach gives her the upper hand while fighting from a frontal position
| Full Name | Angelica Marie Surada |
| Day of Birth | May 5, 2001 |
| Place of Birth | Filipino |
45. Kayte Christensen
Kayte Christensen, selected by the Phoenix Mercury in the third round of the 2002 WNBA draft, played for the Mercury for five seasons before signing with the Chicago Sky as a free agent. Following the end of her professional basketball career, she became a color commentator for networks like ESPN, ESPNU, and NBC. She was an off-court sportscaster for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
| Full Name | Kayte Lauren Christensen |
| Day of Birth | November 16, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Lakeview, Oregon |
46. Swin Cash
Former NBA player Swin Cash is a sexy and great American. She is a strong defender and ball handler who contributed to the 2000 and 2002 national championships for the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team.
Swin Cash
| Full Name | Swintayla Marie “Swin” Cash Canal |
| Day of Birth | September 22, 1979) |
| Place of Birth | McKeesport, Pennsylvania |
47. Ilona Korstin
Basketball player Ilona Kalyuvna Korstin retired after representing Russia in the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2008 Summer Olympics, and 2012 Summer Olympics, where she won two bronze medals. In 2013, she called it quits for good in her professional career.
| Full Name | Ilona Kalyuvna Korstin |
| Day of Birth | May 30, 1980) |
| Place of Birth | Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
48. Svetlana Abrosimova
Russian basketball player Svetlana Olegovna Abrosimova has played at the collegiate, Olympic, and professional levels. She is a former Women’s National Basketball Association player with the Seattle Storm. Svet or Sveta are common short forms for her given name, Svet.
| Full Name | Svetlana Olegovna Abrosimova |
| Day of Birth | 9 July 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
49. Katie Lou Samuelson
Katie Lou Samuelson is a professional basketball player from the United States. She currently competes in the Women’s National Basketball Association with the Los Angeles Sparks. She was a member of the UConn Huskies basketball team throughout her time in college.
| Full Name | Katie Lou Samuelson |
| Day of Birth | June 13, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Fullerton, California, U.S. |
50. Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes is the only player in WNBA history to win six championships and three Olympic gold medals. She has won Most Valuable Player of the WNBA three times. In 1996, she became the first player in WNBA history to compete for the Houston Stars. She has been named the Defensive Player of the Year in the WNBA three times and the Most Valuable Player twice.
| Full Name | Sheryl Denise Swoopes |
| Day of Birth | March 25, 1971) |
| Place of Birth | Brownfield, Texas |