Time Sensitive: Top 13 WNBA Players Over 30, #1-5
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With young teams and new stars stealing headlines across the WNBA, the youth movement is in full swing in 2026. Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Olivia Miles, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron, Dominque Malonga, Gabriela Jaquez -- the list goes on and on!
"Old" is a relative statement when you're talking about professional athletes. You cross the line into your thirties and suddenly you're a grizzled old-timer in the "twilight" of your career. But as Diana Taurasi said in 2021, "Can't old people dream, too?"
Here are 13 WNBA elders proving there's no age limit on being great. Today, #1 to #5.
#1 - Breanna Stewart (b. 1994)
Until A'ja Wilson turns 30 in August, the crown of top player in her thirties belongs to Stewie. Versatile as ever, Stewart has been doing it all for a depleted Liberty squad. Over New York's first five games, Stewart has averaged 22 points and 9 rebounds while adding 2.6 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1 steal a game.
Stewie sees the game like a point guard and anticipates well on both ends of the court. In a pinch, she can be a team's primary ball handler, best post defender, and best scorer all at once. If New York gets healthy, Stewie's numbers will likely drop off a bit, but she's clearly still an elite player at the top of her game.
#2 - Alyssa Thomas (b. 1992)
Perennially in the MVP conversation, Alyssa Thomas has started the 2026 season with characteristic all-around excellence, putting up 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds a game through the Mercury's first 6 contests. She's averaging 8.2 assists per game, good for 2nd in the league behind Caitlin Clark's 9.0apg, and nabbing 1.7 steals (8th overall).
Thomas has played for so long with two torn labrums that the injury is no longer the talking point it once was. In this, as in so many things, Alyssa Thomas has simply worn people down.
Whether or not folks are paying attention, the Engine just keeps going. She outlasts, out muscles, and out performs many of the game's biggest stars.
#3 - Chelsea Gray (b. 1992)
The Point Gawd's numbers may not be as gaudy as some of the players on this list, but Chelsea Gray's greatness is indisputable. The victor of the 2026 Unrivaled 1 v 1 tournament is a 3-time WNBA champion with unmatched killer instincts and the confidence to show up in a game's biggest moments.
Gray hit the game-winner (a tough fadeaway jumper in the lane over Jordin Canada) in Las Vegas's 85-84 win over the Atlanta Dream last Sunday. Moments later, she poked the ball away from Allisha Gray, preventing the Dream from taking a potential game-winning shot.
One of the game's most clutch players and greatest leaders, Gray continues to show up for the Aces on both sides of the ball.
#4 - Kelsey Plum (b. 1994)
Currently the W's scoring leader at 26.8ppg, Kelsey Plum has been on a much-needed heater for the Sparks, scoring with impressive efficiency for such a high-volume shooter (56.4 FG%, almost 70% from 2 and over 40% from 3-point range).
Some of Plum's shine has been dimmed by LA's lackluster 1-3 start to the season. The Sparks are second-to-last in rebounding and also in turnovers, a lethally bad combination for a team with playoff—let alone championship—aspirations.
There's no question that Kelsey Plum is a great player, but can she be the best player on a title contending squad?
The pressure is on Plum to lead the Sparks back to the playoffs, where the team hasn't been since the 2020 Wubble season. Perhaps with the help of the next player on this list, Kelsey will be able to lead the Sparks back into the post-season.
Anything less will be an extreme disappointment.
#5 - Nneka Ogwumike (b. 1990)
Narrowly edging out the 6th player on this list (coming soon!), WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike perhaps deserves the higher ranking based solely on the fact that the 2026 WNBA season is happening at all.
After leading the way to a historic collective bargaining agreement, Ogwumike made more off-season headlines by returning to the Los Angeles Sparks, the franchise that drafted her #1 overall in 2012.
A 10-time WNBA All Star, Ogwumike has received MVP votes in 9 of her 14 seasons. Her consistency, efficiency, and leadership raise the ceiling of any roster she's a part of. By her own high standards, Ogwumike has had a slow start in 2026; her scoring and rebounding numbers have dropped off slightly from last season (also falling below her career averages).
Even so, Ogwumike has put up a standout all-around stat line, averaging 15.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. If the Sparks can improve their defense and rebounding, the addition of Ogwumike could make Los Angeles dangerous down the stretch.
Stay Tuned for Players #6 through #13, Honorable Mentions, and Soon-To-Be-Old-Timers!
Finish Through Contact is a fan blog celebrating the players of the WNBA and Unrivaled (and other women's and non-binary players' basketball leagues).