All-Time WNBA MVPs: Every Winner From 1997 to Today
- Erica L. Ayala
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
When trying to decide the greatest of all time, or G.O.A.T. of a league, individual awards are often taken into account. As the WNBA 30 commercial featuring three-time MVP Sheryl Swoopes says, greatest of all time includes the future. There is no better way to future-proof one's legacy than to rank among the best in your field, especially if you can do it multiple times over. By this measure alone, the WNBA G.O.A.T is active player and four-time MVP, A'ja Wilson.
It's hard to argue against that. And, to state the obvious, A'ja ain't done yet! Although we can't officially call the 2026 MVP, here's a list of all the previous winners of WNBA Most Valuable Player. From the first-ever MVP Cynthia Cooper to the most recent in Wilson, here is the compete list of league MVP's and FAQ's about the award history and voting process.
We hope you enjoy this snapshot of WNBA MVP history.
WNBA MVP History
The WNBA Most Valuable Player Award has been handed out every year since the league tipped off in 1997.
Voted on by a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, including Black Rosie Media founder Erica L. Ayala, it's the highest individual honor a player can earn during the regular season — and over 29 seasons, only 16 different players have ever claimed it.
As the WNBA is a quarter of the way through its historic 30th season, we break down every MVP, every season, and what made each winner unforgettable.
We hope you enjoy this breakdown of all 16 winners and FAQ's as part of our WNBA 30 series.
WNBA MVP list
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions about the WNBA Most Valuable Player award.
Who has won the most WNBA MVPs?
A'ja Wilson holds the all-time record with four WNBA MVP awards (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025).
She surpassed the previous record of three, held by Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson.
Will we once again see an A'ja Wilson MVP award in 2026?
Who was the first WNBA MVP?
Cynthia Cooper of the Houston Comets was the WNBA's first MVP in 1997 — the league's inaugural season — and won it unanimously.
She repeated in 1998, making her the only player to win back-to-back MVPs until A'ja Wilson matched the feat in 2024–2025. Wilson also became the second-ever unanimous MVP in 2024.
Has any player ever won Rookie of the Year and WNBA MVP in the same season?
Yes — exactly once.
Candace Parker in 2008 became the only player in WNBA history to win both honors in the same season, averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game as a rookie with the Los Angeles Sparks.
Has Caitlin Clark ever won WNBA MVP?
No.
Clark won WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2024 and finished fourth in MVP voting that year. As the WNBA enters its 30th season in 2026, she remains one of the top candidates to claim her first MVP award.
How is the WNBA MVP voted on?
WNBA MVP voting consists of a panel of 67 national sportswriters and broadcasters, including Black Rosie Media founder Erica L. Ayala.
Each voter ranks their top five candidates; 10 points are awarded for a first-place vote, 7 for second, 5 for third, 3 for fourth, and 1 for fifth.
The WNB MVP awards is given to the player with the most total points. Most Valuable Player is the only award where voters are asked to rank their selections. For every other individual award, voters only select their top pick in each respective category.
The maximum possible score is 670 points — a total only achieved by Cynthia Cooper (1997) and A'ja Wilson (2024).
In 2023 Alyssa Thomas finished with 23 first place votes, but Breanna Stewart won the MVP with a total of 446 points in the weighted ballot.
Who is favored to win WNBA MVP in 2026?
Heading into Season 30, A'ja Wilson enters as the defending four-time MVP and the clear favorite.
Check out our Black Rosie Media Staff Picks for the Top 5 WNBA MVP Candidates in 2026.
Check out these articles in our WNBA 30 Series:
Top 5 WNBA MVP Candidates in 2026
All-time WNBA Champions
Individual Awards by WNBA Franchise
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