Breanna Stewart Honored Among Greatest Women’s College Basketball Players

In a pretty historic move for women’s college basketball, the Associated Press just dropped a list of the greatest players since the women’s basketball poll began in 1976. This list marks the 50th anniversary of the poll and, honestly, it’s packed with legends—Central New York’s own Breanna Stewart included.

The panel? Thirteen former players and AP sportswriters, all focused on college careers only. Narrowing it down couldn’t have been easy.

The Top Five: Icons of Women’s College Basketball

The first team is stacked. In the frontcourt, you’ve got Cheryl Miller, Candace Parker, and Breanna Stewart.

The backcourt? Diana Taurasi and Caitlin Clark. Every one of them changed the sport in their own way.

Cheryl Miller: A Trailblazer

Cheryl Miller starred for USC and led the Trojans to back-to-back national championships in 1983 and 1984. She set the bar for everyone who came after her—there’s really no other way to put it.

Breanna Stewart: A Local Hero

Breanna Stewart, hailing from Central New York, pulled off something wild at UConn. She won four NCAA championships and snagged the Most Outstanding Player award at the Final Four every single year.

That’s nearly impossible to top. If you want to dig deeper into her journey, check out this detailed article.

Candace Parker: A Dominant Force

Candace Parker led Tennessee to consecutive titles in 2007 and 2008. Her skill and versatility made her a nightmare for opponents and the heart of the Lady Vols’ success.

Diana Taurasi: The UConn Legend

Diana Taurasi helped UConn secure three national championships. Her leadership and clutch play—especially as an upperclassman—put her in a class of her own.

Caitlin Clark: The Scoring Sensation

Caitlin Clark from Iowa broke the career scoring record for any Division I basketball player, men or women. Her deep threes and fearless scoring style brought a new level of attention to the women’s game.

The Second Team: Legends in Their Own Right

The second team is nothing to sneeze at. You’ve got Sue Bird, Dawn Staley, Chamique Holdsclaw, Maya Moore, and Lusia Harris—all with huge college careers.

Sue Bird: A Model of Consistency

Sue Bird played for UConn and helped the Huskies win championships in 2000 and 2002. Her steady hand and leadership made her one of the most respected players out there.

Dawn Staley: A Pioneering Guard

Dawn Staley played for Virginia and is the only woman to win Final Four Most Outstanding Player on a losing team. Now, she coaches South Carolina and has turned them into a powerhouse—her impact just keeps growing.

Chamique Holdsclaw: A Dominant Champion

Chamique Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three NCAA championships and took home Most Outstanding Player honors twice. She was a force every time she stepped on the court.

Maya Moore: The Dynasty Builder

Maya Moore powered UConn through a then-record 89-game win streak and back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Her play was just electric—hard to argue with the results.

Lusia Harris: A Pioneer of the Game

Lusia Harris led Delta State to three AIAW titles in the mid-1970s. She won tournament MVP every year and opened doors for so many who followed.

Honorable Mentions: The Bench of Legends

The panel also picked a group of reserves who honestly could start anywhere. That group: Ann Meyers Drysdale, Lynette Woodard, Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Brittney Griner, and A’ja Wilson.

Ann Meyers Drysdale: A Versatile Guard

Ann Meyers Drysdale played for UCLA and was known for her versatility. She’s stayed active in the sport long after her playing days, which says a lot.

Lynette Woodard: A Scoring Machine

Lynette Woodard at Kansas was a scoring machine and a real trailblazer. She’s racked up plenty of honors for her impact on the game.