Basketball is a team sport in which there are five positions. Each player is given a specific role in those five positions according to their body shape.
Mostly the tallest player on the team plays in the center position and the player’s role is to play both offense and defense. He/She also has to be there for a rebound.
From Karem Abdul-Jabbar to Nikola Jokic we have seen a lot of great center position players in NBA history.
Similarly, in WNBA, there are some greatest center position players and in this post let’s talk about the top 10 center in WNBA history.
1. Lisa Leslie
The three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner and Los Angeles Spark’s legend Lisa Leslie tops the number one position for top 10 Center in WNBA history.
The 6 ft 5 Leslie from a very young age was very athletic. She competed in track and field during her education in high school and was the state qualifier in the 400-meter run and high jump.
Lisa Leslie stats per game
| Lisa Leslie | Stats/game |
| Points | 17.3 |
| Rebounds | 9.1 |
| Assists | 2.4 |
| Blocks | 2.3 |
| Steals/game | 1.4 |
Lisa Leslie was the first woman to dunk the ball in WNBA.
she was the first WNBA player to score 3000,4000 and 6000 career points. Starting from 1997 to 2009,12 years she played for only one team and it is Los Angeles Sparks. Her position became more solid as time went on and she became one of the dominant center players in the 12 years of her career.
Among all-time rebound leaders list she ranks 6th position. The first three were Rebekkah Brunson, Sylvia Fowles, and Tamika Catching.
Currently, Lisa Leslie is coaching Triplets in the Big3 basketball league, and also anchors Orlando Magic broadcasts on Fox Sports Florida.
2. Lauren Jackson
The second on our list is Leslie’s rival player Lauren Jackson. Jackson is an absolute legend in basketball and was one of the best Center/Forward players in WNBA history.
Jackson has won three WNBA Most Valuable Player awards during the years 2001,2004 and 2006.
Jackson was strong at shooting and was a dominant scorer and rebounder as well. She played for Seattle Storm during the years 2001-2012 and won two WNBA Championships in the year 2004 and 2010.
Lauren Jackson stats per game
| Lauren Jackson | Stats/game |
| Points | 18.9 |
| Rebounds | 7.7 |
| Assists | 1.4 |
| Blocks | 1.8 |
| Steals/game | 1.1 |
Kobe Bryant in the year 2012 during an interview praised Jackson that “Everyone I talk to has her in the top three, And I mean everyone”.
Recently at the age of 41, Lauren returned to the National Basketball team for the 2022 FIBA World Cup and won a bronze medal for team Australia. She scored 30 points and 7 rebounds in the bronze medal match against Canada.
3. Candace Parker
With tons of honor, Candace Parker is one of the best in WNBA history. She is a multi-skilled player who mostly plays in forward and center positions.
Candace Parker has won
- 2 *WNBA Championship (2016,2021)
- WNBA Finals MVP (2016)
- 2* WNBA MVP (2008,2013)
- 3* WNBA rebounding leader (2008,2009,2020)
- 3 * WNBA performer (2008,2009,2020).
Candace Parker stats per game
| Candace Parker | Stats/game |
| Points | 16.4 |
| Rebounds | 8.6 |
| Assists | 4.0 |
| Blocks | 1.5 |
| Steals/game | 1.3 |
Recently in 2021, Candace helped Chicago Sky win their first title. She also became the oldest player in WNBA history to record a triple-double.
Moreover, Candace is known for her passing ability and leadership skills which helped Chicago clinch its first WNBA Championship.
Candace Parker is the first WNBA player with 6000 points, 3000 rebounds, and 1500 assists.
During Off Seasons Candace Parker also plays professionally in Russia, China, and Turney basketball leagues.
4. Sylvia Fowles
The greatest rebounder ever in WNBA history Sylvia Fowles is undoubtedly one of the best centers ever to play in basketball.
With four defensive players of the year awards just behind the GOAT Tamika Catching, Sylvia Fowles has played for two teams in her WNBA career, Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx.
She won two WNBA championships in the year 2015, and 2017 both for Minnesota Lynx. She was named MVP both times in the WNBA finals.
Sylvia Fowles averages 9.8 rebound points per game and has scored 4007 rebounds in just 408 games.
Sylvia Fowles stats per game
| Sylvia Fowles | Stats/game |
| Points | 15.7 |
| Rebounds | 9.8 |
| Assists | 1.1 |
| Blocks | 1.8 |
| Steals/game | 1.2 |
Sylvia Fowles is known for her consistency in the 13 years of her WNBA career. She played with pain in her final season for Minnesota Lynx. She retired from WNBA on Aug 14, 2022.
Records by Sylvia Fowles in her WNBA Career:
- First in highest career field goal percentage (.5932-Sylvia Fowles).
- Most field goals in the quarter. (9-Sylvia Fowles, at Phoenix, August 1, 2010).
- Most Shot attempts in the quarter. (12- Sylvia Fowles, at Phoenix, August 1, 2010).
- Most Rebounds in WNBA Career (3400 rebounds).
- Ranks number one is the most rebounds per game. (9.8-Sylvia Fowles).
- Most rebounds in the season. (404 rebounds for Minnesota in 2018).
- Ranks number one on the list of most defensive rebounds in the season. (282-Sylvia Fowles for Minnesota in 2018).
5. Yolanda Griffith
The 6 ft 3 in Yolanda Griffith often called “Yo” is one of the strongest defense players, WNBA has ever seen.
She is considered one of the greatest rebounders in WNBA history. Before beginning her pro career, Yolanda Griffith played at Division II Florida, Atlantic University in 1993.
She was known for her toughness and leadership of the team since her early days.
The seven-time WNBA assist leader Ticha Penicheiro on Yolanda Griffith said “She was the player we want, She was athletic, she runs the floor, she can grab anything that thrown at her and she was our anchor and great competitor”
In the year 2005, Yolanda Griffith helps Sacramento Monarch clinch its first WNBA title.
She was named finals MVP as well. The eight-time WNBA All-Star and 1999 MVP has played for three teams in her 11 years of WNBA Career.
She has played for Sacramento Monarchs (1999-2007), Seattle Storm (2008), and Indiana Fever (2009).
Yolanda Griffith stats per game
| Yolanda Griffith | Stats/game |
| Points | 13.6 |
| Rebounds | 7.9 |
| Assists | 1.5 |
| Blocks | 1.0 |
| Steals/game | 1.7 |
Yolanda Griffith also holds the record for the most offensive rebounds in a single season. All the top three names for scoring offensive rebounds in a single season were Yolanda Griffith.
- 162- Yolanda Griffith (Sacramento 2001).
- 148- Yolanda Griffith (Sacramento 2000).
- 141- Yolanda Griffith (Sacramento 1999).
Yolanda Griffith is currently working as an assistant coach for Boston College Eagles.
6. Brittney Griner
One of the tallest centers Brittney Griner is a rising star in the center position for WNBA.
She is one of the best blockers in women’s basketball. She is the only NCAA basketball player to score both 2000 points and block 500 shots.
Griner was very impressive in her debut match against Chicago Sky. She made two dunks in a single match and became the first player in history to do two dunks in a single match.
She was the very dominant defensive player and averages 3 blocks per game in the very first season.
Learning how to block your opponent is one of the valuable skills and Griner is the master of it. She holds multiple records for blocks.
- Average Career highest blocks per game – 2.94 by Brittney Griner.
- Most Blocks in single season -129 blocks by Brittney Griner.
- Average highest blocks per game in a single season -4.04 by Brittney Griner.
- Most blocks in game-11 blocks by Brittney Griner in Phoenix 2014.
- Most blocks in a quarter 5 blocks by Brittney Griner vs Chicago 2014.
Brittney Griner stats per game
| Brittney Griner | Stats/game |
| Points | 17.7 |
| Rebounds | 7.6 |
| Assists | 1.8 |
| Blocks | 2.8 |
| Steals/game | 0.5 |
Brittney Griner is in Russian custody now for having vape canisters and cannabis oil in her luggage and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment on drug charges.
7. Tina Charles
The 6 ft 5 Tina Charles is one of the active rebound specialists in the WNBA currently. She is the fastest player to reach 1000 career rebounds in just 89 games surpassing another center position legend Yolanda Griffith.
The 2021 WNBA leading scorer has signed a new contract with Seattle Storm and the team finishes second in Western Conference with 22 wins and 14 losses.
Tina won the 2012 WNBA Most Valuable Player award and was the first Connecticut Sun player to earn WNBA’s top Honour.
The three-time Olympic gold medal and two-time World Champion has multiple accolades to her name
- 2010 WNBA Rookie of the year.
- 4 times WNBA rebounding champion (2010,2011,2012,2016).
- 4 times WNBA peak performer (2010,2011,2012,2016).
- 2 times WNBA scoring Champion (2016,2021).
Tina Charles stats per game
| Tina Charles | Stats/game |
| Points | 18.2 |
| Rebounds | 9.3 |
| Assists | 2.2 |
| Blocks | 1.0 |
| Steals/game | 0.8 |
With Brenna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, and Tina Charles many expectations are for Seattle Storm in the upcoming seasons.
8. Tangela Smith
Tangela Smith, 6ft 3 in Sacramento Monarchs legend has been the Valuable center player in WNBA. Recently, she was named to the Big Impact pioneer class of 2022.
Tangela Smith has played for five different clubs in WNBA and most of her career was with Sacramento Monarchs.
She has won two WNBA championships for Phoenix Mercury in the years 2007 and 2009.
Tangela smith was a two-time first-team all-big ten selection and was named the 1998 big ten player of the year.
Tangela Smith stats per game
| Tangela Smith | Stats/game |
| Points | 10.9 |
| Rebounds | 5.0 |
| Assists | 1.2 |
| Blocks | 1.2 |
| Steals/game | 1.0 |
Smith is now an assistant coach at North Western university and helped many players to improve their game professionally. Some of her students were Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Abbie Wolf, and Abi Scheid.
9. Taj- McWilliams Franklin
Taj McWilliams Franklin often called “Mama Taj” had a professional career that spanned three decades. The 6 ft 2 Center/Power Forward player had a WNBA career from 1999 to 2012.
Taj McWilliams Franklin was well Known for her Offensive rebound skills. She was one of the players who played ABL (American Basketball League).
ABL is a League that was played before WNBA was founded. With 1.5 blocks per game, She led the ABL in the year 1996.
She has played for 7 teams in her 14 years of WNBA Career. She won two WNBA Championships, one in the year 2008 for Detroit Shock and another in the year 2011 for Minnesota Lynx.
She retired at the end of the 2012 season.
Taj-McWilliams Franklin stats per game
| Taj-McWilliams Franklin | Stats/game |
| Points | 11.4 |
| Rebounds | 6.8 |
| Assists | 2.0 |
| Blocks | 1.0 |
| Steals/game | 1.3 |
Taj-McWilliams Franklin is currently working as a player relation & Development manager for WNBA in New York, United States.
10. Tammy Sutton Brown
The 6 ft 4 Canadian Center Tammy Sutton Brown is the first Canadian WNBA player to be voted as an All-Star (2002).
She has played for two teams in her 12 years WNBA Career, Charlotte Sting (2001-2006) and Indiana Fever (2007-2012).
She won her first WNBA Championship with Indiana Fever in 2012. She is a two-time WNBA All-Star (2002,2007).
Tammy Sutton Brown stats per game
| Tammy Sutton Brown | Stats/game |
| Points | 11.4 |
| Rebounds | 6.8 |
| Assists | 2.0 |
| Blocks | 1.0 |
| Steals/game | 1.3 |
Tammy Sutton Brown is an Associate basketball and Franchise Operations/Team Player Development Director at Raptors 905 at MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership).
Vignesh Subrmanian doesn’t just watch sports, he dissects them. A former college athlete with a stat-cracking obsession, he dives deep into the numbers, analyzes player tendencies, and crunches data to deliver insights that leave you breathless.Vignesh will help you discover who’s the best and win every sports debate with fellow fans!
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