Obtaining the best WNBA rookie cards looks to be smart move on improving your sports card collection. The WNBA trading card market has never been hotter.
What began in 1997 with Pinnacle Inside’s “cards in a can” has evolved into one of the most exciting niches in the hobby — thanks to new stars like Caitlin Clark and Breanna Stewart capturing global attention.
Over the past few seasons, WNBA rookie cards have exploded in popularity, with record-breaking sales and a surge of new collectors driving demand. Clark alone has over 100,000 graded cards, including the most valuable sports card in women’s sports, and her presence has doubled the average price of league-licensed cards since her 2024 rookie year.
With the new collective bargaining agreement signed, it appears that we will have a 2026 WNBA season, which is nice, considering it’s the 30th anniversary of when the league was founded on April 24, 1996. (The first game wasn’t played until June 21, 1997).
Whether you’ve been collecting since Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes debuted or you’re just discovering WNBA cards through Panini Prizm, this guide breaks down the best WNBA rookie cards from every season. We list rookie cards of the original legends who built the league to the new generation defining its future.
Most of the sports card links on this page will take you to eBay. That means I will get a commission on the sales from this page. If you end up buying from these links, I personally thank you for supporting my website! Even if you don’t buy anything, thank you for reading my article! Enjoy!
Bolded players indicate one of the best three from that year.
Lisa Leslie – Card No. 1 – First WNBA Card Ever – View on eBay!
Cynthia Cooper – Card No. 2 – View on eBay!
Rebecca Lobo – Card No. 3 – View on eBay!
Tina Thompson (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No.13 – View on eBay!
Sheryl Swoopes – Card No. 26 – View on eBay!
Teresa Weatherspoon – Card No. 36 – View on eBay!
Nikki McCray – Card No. 48 – View on eBay!
Natalie Williams – Card No. 103 – View on eBay!
Chamique Holdsclaw (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 105 – View on eBay!
Yolanda Griffith – Card No. 106 – View on eBay!
Dawn Staley – Card No. 106 – View on eBay!
Jennifer Azzi – Card No. 119 – View on eBay!
Becky Hammon – Card No. 21 – View on eBay!
Jackie Stiles (HOF) – Card No. 125 – View on eBay!
Tamika Catchings – Card No. 127 – View on eBay!
Lauren Jackson (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 129 – View on eBay!
Sue Bird (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 101 – View on eBay!
Swin Cash – Card No. 102 – View on eBay!
Teresa Edwards – Card No. 117 – View on eBay!
Diana Taurasi (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 91 – View on eBay!
Lindsay Whalen – Card No. 94 – View on eBay!
There weren’t any real impact rookies from this season.
Cappie Pondexter – Card No. RC2 – View on eBay!
There weren’t any real impact rookies from this season.
Candace Parker (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. R1 – View on eBay!
Sylvia Fowles – Card No. R2 – View on eBay!
Angel McCoughtry – Card No. RC10 – View on eBay!
Tina Charles (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. R1 – View on eBay!
Maya Moore (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. R1 – View on eBay!
Courtney Vandersloot – Card No. R3 – View on eBay!
Nnemkadi Ogwumike (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. R1 – View on eBay!
Elena Della Donne – Card No. 12 – View on eBay!
Brittney Griner (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 61 – View on eBay!
Kahleah Copper – Card No. 105 – View on eBay!
Chelsea Gray – Card No. 20 – View on eBay!
Chiney Ogwumike – Card No. 21 – View on eBay!
Jewell Lloyd (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 79 – View on eBay!
Natasha Cloud – Card No. 97 – View on eBay!
Jonquel Jones – Card No. 25 – View on eBay!
Breanna Stewart (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 95 – View on eBay!
Brittney Sykes – Card No. 2 – View on eBay!
Alisha Gray – Card No. 26 – View on eBay!
Kelsey Plum (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 87 – View on eBay!
Kelsey Mitchell – Card No. 43 – View on eBay!
A’Ja Wilson (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 48 – View on eBay!
Jackie Young (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 90 – View on eBay!
Arike Ogunbowale – Card No. 93 – View on eBay!
Napheesa Collier – Card No. 95 – View on eBay!
Sabrina Ionescu (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 89 – View on eBay!
Satou Sabally – Card No. 90 – View on eBay!
Sophie Cunningham – Card No. 82 – View on eBay!
Rhyne Howard (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 181 – View on eBay!
Lexie Hull – Card No. 186 – View on eBay!
Aliyah Boston (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 133 – View on eBay!
Angel Reese – Card No. 10 – View on eBay!
Caitlin Clark (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 22 – View on eBay!
Rickea Jackson – Card No. 60 – View on eBay!
Aaliyah Edwards – Card No. 70 – View on eBay!
Nika Mühl – Card No. 75 – View on eBay!
Kamilla Cardoso – Card No. 93 – View on eBay!
Cameron Brink – Card No. 127 – View on eBay!
Hailey Van Lith – Card No. 2 – View on eBay!
Paige Bueckers (No. 1 Overall Pick) – Card No. 5 – View on eBay!
Kiki Iriafen – Card No. 72 – View on eBay!
Aneesa Morrow – Card No. 79 – View on eBay!
Georgia Amoore – Card No. 103 – View on eBay!
Dominique Malonga – Card No. 116 – View on eBay!
Sonia Citron – Card No. 122 – View on eBay!
Saniya Rivers – Card No. 131 – View on eBay!
Don’t forget to check out our other articles based on the greatest rookie cards from every year:
Let us know in the comments if we missed one of the best WNBA rookie cards on this list – or if you think someone should be removed!
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