WNBA 30: These are the 10 greatest power forwards the league has seen

The role of the power forward has shifted during the WNBA's 30 seasons.

Players used to hold it down in the post and in the paint, but now they are expected to be versatile. Can they facilitate, defend, score and more? New York Liberty forward and three-time champion Breanna Stewart says there's certainly a clear and visible shift if players want to be the best at their position.

"Over the 30 years, you can see that it's kind of gotten a little bit more positionless. If you don’t have that versatility where you're able to play multiple positions or do multiple things, it’s kind of a little bit more difficult because defenses are so strong," Stewart told USA TODAY. "They're able to take away one thing, and a lot of players have the ability to do both. You’ve got centers stretching the floor and really making it tough."

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USA TODAY Sports' Studio IX is ranking the top 10 players in WNBA history in each position — point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center — in celebration of the league's 30th anniversary. 

In honor of players who can own their position, here are USA TODAY's 10 best power forwards the WNBA has ever seen:

10. Candice Dupree

Chicago Sky (2006-2009), Phoenix Mercury (2010-2016), Indiana Fever (2017-2020), Seattle Storm (2021), Atlanta Dream (2021)

Candice Dupree might have one of the most underrated careers in recent memory. Her game was not flashy, but she was consistent — shooting nearly 50% from the field during her 16-season career. She was drafted at No. 6 by the Chicago Sky, where she spent four seasons. Dupree was traded to the Phoenix Mercury and helped the franchise win a title in 2014.

Dupree made the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2006 and racked up seven All-Star nods. She also finished her WNBA career seventh in all-time scoring (6,895 points) and ninth all-time in rebounds (3,44).

9. Penny Taylor

Cleveland Rockers (2001-2003), Phoenix Mercury (2004-2007, 2009-2011, 2013-2014, 2016)

Penny Taylor was steady throughout her 13 years in the league. Ten of those seasons were spent with the Phoenix Mercury, where she helped lead the team to three championships (2007, 2009, 2014).

During her time in the WNBA, Taylor earned three All-Star nods and made first-team All-WNBA in 2007 andsecond-team All-WNBA in 2011. She also was top 10 in field-goal percentage during three of her 10 seasons (2004, 2007, 2010).

8. Swin Cash

Detroit Shock (2002-2007), Seattle Storm (2008-2011), Chicago Sky (2012-2013), Atlanta Dream (2014), New York Liberty (2014-2016)

Swin Cash was a winner in every sense of the word, known for being clutch. In her second season in the WNBA, she won a championship with the Detroit Shock (2003) before capturing another in 2006. In 2008, Cash was traded to the Seattle Storm and continued her dominance. She helped Seattle win the franchise's second title in 2010.Cash played 15 seasons in the WNBA, with four WNBA All-Star selections and two second-team All-WNBA nods before retiring in 2016. She also earned two Olympic gold medals (2004, 2012).

7. Alyssa Thomas

Connecticut Sun (2014-2024), Phoenix Mercury (2025-present)

Alyssa Thomas has rightfully been nicknamed "The Engine" because she is the heart of every team on which she plays. As a six-time WNBA All-Star, she can do it all. Thomas has led the WNBA in total assists in three of the last four seasons, including 2025 with 357 assists.

In addition to being the WNBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles (20 regular-season, six post-season), Thomas has four All-WNBA selections, seven All-Defense nods and an Olympic Gold medal won at the 2024 Paris Games.

6. Napheesa Collier

Minnesota Lynx (2019-present)

Napheesa Collier has an unmistakable style that punishes players on both ends of the floor. From her signature fadeaway jumper to her pressure-first defense, the former UConn forward is leaving her mark. Collier, who was picked sixth overall in the 2019 draft, won Rookie of the Year and All-Star honors.

The Minnesota forward is now a five-time All-Star who has earned three first-team All-WNBA selections and four All-Defense honors. Collier was named 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award and joined Elena Delle Donne as one of two WNBA players in the 50-40-90 club.

5. Rebekkah Brunson

Sacramento Monarchs (2004-2009), Minnesota Lynx (2010-2018)

Rebekkah Brunson has one of the most relentless and unmistakable motors in league history. She played 15 years in the WNBA, retiring in 2020 as the WNBA’s all-time leader in rebounds (3,356) and offensive rebounds (1,166). During her career, she won a league-record five championships including four with the Minnesota Lynx (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), where she became part of the heart and soul of the franchise's first dynasty.

Brunson earned five WNBA All-Star selections and seven All-Defense selections, including six second-team nods (2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2018).

4. Tina Thompson

Houston Comets (1997-2008), Los Angeles Sparks (2009-2011), Seattle Storm (2012-2013)

Tina Thompson was the first draft pick in league history, going No. 1 overall to the Houston Comets in 1997. After a successful college career at USC, she helped the Comets become the league's first dynasty, winning four straight championships from 1997 to 2000.

Thompson was a nine-time All-Star during her career while earning eight All-WNBA honors. She also earned gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and is fifth all-time in league history in points (7,488) and 10th in rebounds (3,070).

3. Nneka Ogwumike

Los Angeles Sparks (2012-2023, 2026), Seattle Storm (2024-2025)

Nneka Ogwumike is the epitome of consistency. Over her 15-season career, she's averaged nearly 54% from the field, a rare feat. However, the achievement should come as no surprise. Ogwumike, an 11-time All-Star, has been a standout player since being the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2012 and winning Rookie of the Year.

Ogwumike won a championship in 2016 and was named league MVP the same season en route to a career that includes eight All-WNBA selections and seven All-Defense nods. The Stanford product is third all-time in rebounds (3,483) and fourth all-time in points (7,720).

2. Breanna Stewart

Seattle Storm (2016-2022), New York Liberty (2023-present)

In 2016, Breanna Stewart was drafted No. 1 overall by the Seattle Storm and quickly began collecting hardware. She has three WNBA titles (2018, 2020, 2024), two WNBA MVPs (2018, 2023) and two WNBA Finals MVPs (2018, 2020). Stewart also owns three Olympic golds (2016, 2020, 2024),

Stewart, who has made her living on both sides of the ball, has eight All-Star honors, seven All-WNBA nods and seven All-Defense selections. The UConn product was also the 2016 Rookie of the Year.

"My goal entering the league ― I was just trying to continue to be that positionless, versatile player, knowing that as a forward, especially, you're able to kind of run the offense. You get it on the block, shoot the (3-pointer). The players that I looked up to were, like Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Tamika Catchings. Just like the versatility pieces," Stewart told USA TODAY.

1. Candace Parker

Los Angeles Sparks (2008-2020), Chicago Sky (2021-2022), Las Vegas Aces (2023)

Parker, who was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in June, is arguably the best power forward in league history. Upon entering the league in 2008, after an illustrious career at Tennessee, Parker quickly became the blueprint for her generation and beyond.

She spent 16 seasons in the WNBA, winning three WNBA championships and two WNBA MVPs, while earning 10 All-WNBA selections and seven All-Star nods. Parker is the only player in WNBA history to win an MVP and Rookie of the Year award in the same season (2008), the same year she won the first of her two Olympic gold medals.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA 30: These are the 10 greatest power forwards the league has seen