Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Similar to other U.S. professional sports, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is also a global sport. Since 1997, foreign-born WNBA players have comprised 22 percent of all players. Over time, foreign-born WNBA players have come from nearly every continent representing more than 50 countries, as well as U.S. Territories and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
During the 2025 WNBA season, 21 percent of WNBA players were foreign-born. Foreign-born WNBA players were born in 16 different countries. More than half (56%) of foreign-born WNBA players were born in either Australia, France, Canada, or Belgium.
The top five teams with the largest shares of foreign-born players include the Chicago Sky (42%), New York Liberty (42%), Golden State Valkyries (39%), Minnesota Lynx (33%), and Connecticut Sun (25%).
During the 2025 WNBA finals, nine percent of WNBA players were foreign-born. This percentage is significantly lower compared to last year (38%).
Of the 38 players selected in the 2025 WNBA draft, 18 percent were born abroad. Additionally, foreign-born WNBA players who were drafted were born in seven different countries.
For a fact sheet on WNBA players during the 2025 season, click on the below link:
For a fact sheet on prior WNBA seasons, click on the below link: