In the world of professional sports, there’s often no single trait that defines the face of a league. It’s a combination of talent, visibility, influence, and cultural impact. In the WNBA, that idea holds especially true. While dominance on the court is critical, so too are a player’s presence across media platforms, their marketability, and their willingness to be a voice for both themselves and their peers. The league today showcases talent from different eras — stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier represent an earlier generation, while newcomers such as Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers are the rising faces of the future. The evolving question isn’t just who plays best — it’s who resonates most both on and off the court.
To get a sense of how current players view the league’s future, The Athletic conducted its latest anonymous player poll. This year’s edition includes insights from nearly 40 players, about one-third of the WNBA’s non-rookie talent pool. Players were drawn from all 13 teams, but rookies were left out of the survey to prioritize the perspectives of experienced veterans. The players responded to questions on who they believe will be the face of the WNBA in five years, as well as their thoughts on expansion, pay equity, and the collective bargaining process. By offering full anonymity, the survey encouraged candid and unfiltered opinions — and the responses reflect a league full of rising stars and changing dynamics.
Despite the challenge of narrowing it down to just one standout, Caitlin Clark emerged as the overwhelming favorite among the players surveyed. Since entering the WNBA, Clark has been nothing short of a sensation. As a two-time All-Star, her games with the Indiana Fever consistently break viewership records and often force opposing teams to move their matchups into larger arenas due to the influx of fans. Her popularity stretches beyond basketball — she’s already become a brand in herself, symbolizing the next phase of growth for the league. While many players had a hard time naming just one future face, Clark’s name came up time and time again, affirming her commanding influence and mass appeal.
Interestingly, players also highlighted USC guard JuJu Watkins, who hasn’t even joined the league yet. Though her WNBA debut is still a couple of seasons away, her presence is already deeply felt. Despite suffering an ACL injury in the NCAA Tournament, Watkins continues to generate buzz, with veteran players already predicting that she’ll have a massive impact at the pro level. This forward-looking admiration shows that players see potential not only in what she’s done in college, but in the kind of legacy she could build in the WNBA. That a college athlete is viewed with such reverence speaks volumes about Watkins’ potential trajectory and the attention she commands even now.
While Caitlin Clark was the clear frontrunner, other names were also in the mix. Paige Bueckers was praised for her likability and early rookie success, with several players noting the excitement surrounding her. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that only A’ja Wilson — drafted before 2024 — received any votes from that earlier generation of stars, showing a clear shift in perception toward the younger wave of talent. The face of the league in five years may not necessarily be its top scorer or most awarded player, but it’s likely to be someone who captures attention across the board — and according to today’s veterans, Caitlin Clark is already doing just that.
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