Every season, a few WNBA players unexpectedly soar to new heights. Veronica Barton, for instance, transformed from a seldom-used reserve in Connecticut to becoming the star of the Golden State Valkyries last year. Her stats leapt from 3.1 points and 1.9 assists in 2024 to 11.9 points and six assists in 2025, earning her the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award.
It’s common for players to break out during their third or fourth seasons. Before Barton, DeJonai Carrington earned the Most Improved Player title in 2024 during his fourth year. However, breakthroughs can happen earlier or later in a player’s career.
Looking ahead to the 2026 WNBA season, here are some players likely to make a big impact:
1. Rikea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
In her third season, the No. 4 pick in 2024, Jackson has steadily improved. She averaged 13.4 points with 45.6% shooting as a rookie and increased to 14.7 points last season, despite a slight drop in efficiency. Having played under different coaches and systems, she consistently proved her scoring ability. Though her season started slowly, she ended strong, averaging 15.9 points with a 47.6% shooting accuracy (40.7% from three-point range). If Jackson refines her three-point shooting, she’s poised to become one of the league’s top scorers. In the last 10 games, she ranked 13th in scoring overall and third among players aged 25 or younger.
2. Dominic Malonga, Seattle Storm
Malonga had limited playing time early in his rookie season but made solid contributions, averaging 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in just 14.3 minutes per game. As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, he shined in the postseason with 8.7 points and 8.7 rebounds over 22.4 minutes in three games. Malonga is currently the only rotation player under contract for the next season, signaling that Seattle will likely build around him, while the future of veterans like Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, and Gabby Williams remains uncertain. With one year of experience and offseason games ahead, Malonga is expected to earn significant minutes and boost his production next season. He showed durability by playing in 42 of 44 games and improved over the year, scoring double digits in 11 games post-All-Star break versus two before.
3. Carla Leite, Golden State Valkyries
Leite is a sleeper pick for a breakout star. At 21, she’s one of the youngest in the league and one of only two Valkyries players under contract next season (along with notable third-year player Kate Martin). Last year, Leite averaged 7.2 points and two assists, demonstrating a strong ability to score in the paint with 66% shooting in the restricted area. She was the league’s fourth most efficient isolation scorer behind Ryne Howard, Kaitlin Clark, and Dana Evans. Her biggest weakness is her jump shot, hitting just 17.3% from three-point range and 29.2% from mid-range. However, her efficiency improves closer to the basket, and an encouraging sign is her 84% free throw accuracy, showing solid fundamentals that suggest a promising future.
Predicting breakout stars is never certain, but Rikea Jackson, Dominic Malonga, and Carla Leite look like promising candidates for major leaps in the 2026 season.
Fan Take: This emerging talent is vital for the growth and excitement of the WNBA, injecting fresh energy and skill into the league. Fans should watch these players closely, as their breakthroughs could redefine team dynamics and elevate the sport’s competitive level.
