5 Intriguing Players for 2026
WNBA
Aliyah Boston
Aliyah Boston is breathing down the neck of a championship in every league she competes in. Overshadowed by the Fever's headline-grabbing backcourt, Boston doesn't get the hype that she deserves. Luckily, there's nothing like getting overlooked to motivate a competitor.
Last season Boston led an embattled Fever roster to a decisive Game 5 in the WNBA semifinals, going toe-to-toe with A'ja Wilson and the eventual-champion Las Vegas Aces. This winter at Unrivaled, she was a powerhouse for Phantom BC and in the 1x1 competition. The 3x3 league might have had a different victor if Boston hadn't gotten injured right before Phantom's playoff run.
Aliyah started every game for the Fever in 2025, averaging 15pts and 8+ rebounds a game (this jumped to 12+ in the playoffs) while shooting over 50% from the field. Assuming her injury from Unrivaled isn't too serious, I expect her to excel these numbers in 2026 and make a case for herself in the MVP conversation.
Jess Shepard
Jess Shepard landed one of the new CBA's first million-dollar-a-year contracts, signing with The Dallas Wings on a two-year protected deal worth $1,000,000 in 2026 and $1,050,000 in 2027. This is a blistering raise from the $78,831 (unprotected) she earned playing for the Lynx in 2025.
Last season, Shepard was Napheesa Collier's backup and Collier's injuries meant more playing time for Shepard, who started 12 games for Minnesota and recorded the WNBA's fastest ever triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds & 11 assists on 10-for-11 shooting) in a win over the Fever last August. She arrived at that final stat line in just 21 minutes & 57 seconds and had zero turnovers in the game, despite playing all 40 minutes.
Dallas will expect Shepard to contribute in a big and consistent way on both ends of the floor as a starter. She has two seasons to prove she belongs in the WNBA's elite class of versatile forwards like perennial MVP candidates A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Shepard's former teammate, Napheesa Collier.
I'm intrigued to see what happens here.
Chennedy Carter
Chennedy Carter doesn't even have to be on a WNBA roster for fans to be intrigued about where she might pop up to work her wild magic.
The Las Vegas Aces seem like a good fit for Chennedy:
- a team led by a brilliant no-nonsense coach who understands what it's like to play in the W
- a roster of all-around basketball geniuses led by the world's best player, A'ja Wilson, so there's an undeniable parity of talent between Carter and her teammates
- a team with championship savvy that's built to win now, the Aces aren't rebuilding like other teams Carter has played for.
The motivation for Chennedy to buy in is clear: she can help an iconic franchise win their 4th championship in 5 years and quiet any talk of being a malcontent with the ultimate sports silencer, a championship ring.
Still, this is a lot of talent and a lot of personality to have on one team. Will there be enough space for Chennedy to make her mark on this full-of-All-Stars roster? I am excited to find out.
Rickea Jackson
Sky fans reeling from the departure of Angel Reese have to be finding some comfort in the arrival of Breeze BC's Rickea Jackson, a baller with the kind of offensive skillset (so smooth, so versatile!) that dreams are made of.
Jackson had a mettle-testing season at Unrivaled and she's coming to Chicago with hard-earned poise and maturity. A starter for the Sparks who averaged 14+ ppg in 2025, Rickea will slide into a starting line up that may include former LA teammate Azurá Stevens alongside third-year center Kamilla Cardoso and veteran guards Skylar Diggins and Courtney Vandersloot.
Entering her third season in the W, Rickea has All-WNBA First Team potential. If head coach Tyler Marsh can implement an offense that lets Jackson shine, this team could cause trouble for the top half of the league.
The Sky can exercise the fourth-year option on Jackson's rookie contract to retain her in 2027 and keep her rights as a Restricted Free Agent entering 2028, but Chicago has a long history of alienating its most talented players. Will Jackson become the young face of the Sky, or be a sought-after unrestricted free agent next off-season?
Flau'jae Johnson
Flau'jae Johnson is a scene-stealer — her trade from Golden State to Seattle became the top story of the 2026 draft, eclipsing lesser dramas. Now she's stepping onto a nearly empty stage, joining a Storm franchise that is in transition and ripe for remaking.
The bridge era following the departures of champions Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, and Jewell Loyd is officially over. Of last year's key players, only Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga remain. First-year head coach Sonia Ramen wants to implement a fast and joyful style of play that takes advantage of her young roster's length and athleticism.
A terrific athlete and a hard worker who excels in the open court, Johnson fits this vision beautifully. She will likely see minutes as a starter for Seattle, giving her leg up (playing-time wise) over top rookies who went to teams with more established rosters. If Flau'jae can weather getting thrown directly into the WNBA's deep end, she may steal more than just the draft day headlines. The 2026 Rookie of the Year Award isn't out of reach.
Finish Through Contact is a blog celebrating the players of the WNBA and Unrivaled (and other women's and non-binary players' basketball leagues).