Biggest headlines from WNBA trade deadline
Callie Fin breaks down the biggest headlines that came out of the WNBA trade deadline, including Kelsey Plum going to Phoenix Mercury.
Sports Seriously
With the back half of the WNBA season underway, we are keeping an eye on players who are flying under the radar. These are players who may not be as well known as others on their team and deserve a lot more attention for their efforts.
Keeping this in mind, USA TODAY has compiled a list of some of the most underrated players across the league. For context and clarity, these players may not be starters but they have high upside and should be on watch lists moving forward.
We break it all down in this week’s WNBA power rankings, released every Tuesday this season:
Previous rank: 1 (⬌)
Underrated player: G Maya Caldwell
Maya Caldwell’s length and athleticism often go under the radar. At 5-foot-11, she isn’t the biggest guard, but she moves well and can drain a shot when asked. Be weary of the lethal Caldwell 3-ball. What’s more, Caldwell is a sneaky good defender who can handle guarding many positions, something Minnesota likely covets.
Previous rank: 2 (⬌)
Underrated player: F Laeticia Amihere
Laeticia Amihere’s journey in the WNBA has been uneven. But, when given the chance to shine, Amihere’s bag is much deeper than people think. She can sink a basket from all three levels, and her footwork and handles have helped her stay in plays after many others would have given up. If Amihere can continue improving while becoming more consistent, a breakout season might be in her future.
Previous rank: 4 (1)
Underrated player: F Cheyenne Parker-Tyus
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus has spent 12 seasons in the league and started 121 games during her pro career. Parker-Tyus is a force on the glass and when she gets going in the paint, she’s hard to stop. The Aces forward can also splash it from deep. Her 3-pointers have helped her be a threat you don’t want to second-guess.
Previous rank: 6 (2)
Underrated player: C Madina Okot
Madina Okot has only played basketball for six years, incredible considering she was a 2026 WNBA Draft first-round pick. Okot’s still raw in many areas, but it’s hard not to see the upside. She’s fearless in the paint, backing down the league’s best post players as she banks home her shots and cleans up the boards. Once her confidence grows more, she will be a player to watch.
Previous rank: 3 (2)
Underrated player: C Li Yueru
Li Yueru’s quiet demeanor often causes people to overlook just how well she plays. Yueru is calm, yet steady as she unleashes her footwork in the paint. She’s also a solid rim protector and doesn’t get enough credit for it.
Previous rank: 5 (1)
Underrated player: F Makayla Timpson
It feels like Makayla Timpson has been simmering in the wings for a while. However, this season, she’s come into her own, playing more confidently. Timpson has zero problem guarding anyone and will take it to the rack without hesitation. As a result, her minutes have more than doubled this season, rising from 7.1 minutes to nearly 16.
Previous rank: 8 (1)
Underrated player: G Rori Harmon
Rori Harmon’s playing time in the WNBA has been minimal despite being Texas’ leading floor general in college. She’s been in a guard-heavy rotation that hasn’t helped her chances. Still, it’s not Harmon’s offense that will likely keep her on a roster. She’s a lightning bolt on defense that causes chaos.
Previous rank: 7 (1)
Underrated player: G Pauline Astier
The things Pauline Astier can do on a basketball court almost feel inconceivable. Astier’s balance and ability to hit off-kilter shots need to be studied. Half-court, the paint, from deep. You name it. Astier can hit it. The Liberty having the rookie as an option doesn’t seem fair. She’s averaging nearly 10 points, 3.5 rebounds and one steal off the bench.
Previous rank: 13 (4)
Underrated player: G Sydney Taylor
Sydney Taylor has become one of Chicago’s best acquisitions this season. The rookie doesn’t care who is on the other side of the ball; she will score. Her footwork and clutch shot-making are underrated as well. Her patience to find the right shot and then execute it at a high-level is impressive.
Previous rank: 10 (⬌)
Underrated player: F Natasha Mack
Natasha Mack is one of those players opposing defenses don’t see coming until it’s too late. She’s a lot quicker than she seems, and her command of the paint on both sides of the ball makes her a tough matchup. Mack is having a career year in Phoenix, averaging 8.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per matchup.
Previous rank: 12 (1)
Underrated player: F Rae Burrell
Rae Burrell had a nice offseason in Unrivaled, where she displayed her shot-making, ability to change direction on a dime and instinct to take over a game. That helped propel her to a huge year in the W, where she doubled her production from last season (7.5 points per game to 13.4 points) and improved her field-goal percentage to a career-high 45.9%.
Previous rank: 9 (3)
Underrated player: G Karlie Samuelson
Karlie Samuelson’s recent injury history (left foot) may have kept her off most people’s radar, but she’s the type of player that can go get a basket at any time. Her sweet spot is the deep-range makes, and she’s proven that once she gets going in a catch-and-shoot situation, she’s hard to rattle.
Previous rank: 11 (2)
Underrated player: F Aneesah Morrow
Aneesah Morrow just arrived to the Tempo via trade and has yet to take the floor, but Toronto should appreciate all she brings to the table. Her motor allows her to be a fearless rebounder and an offensive pest when on a hot streak. It’s not uncommon to see the Tempo forward quickly pull up for a jumper or drive the lane, leaving defenders scrambling.
Previous rank: 14 (⬌)
Underrated player: G Saniya Rivers
Saniya Rivers’ time in the W has been underwhelming. At times, she’s inconsistent and seems to have lost the shot-making and two-way abilities that made her a star in college. That said, the flashes are there. If she can tap into her offensive bag (including more from midrange and beyond the arc), she has a chance to carve out more starting minutes.
Previous rank: 15 (⬌)
Underrated player: C Stefanie Dolson
Stefanie Dolson, who is in her 13th season in the WNBA, doesn’t produce as much as she did earlier in her career. That said, she can still score when asked and has no problem letting the 3-pointers fly from range.