By OkayGoal 
While some of our socceristas may not have the time to be multisport athletes, it’s never too late to start following another sport. We highly recommend the WNBA, which has only been getting better and better over the years. And to help you on your journey into the WNBA, here are the basketball players we think you would love most based on your soccer fave.
Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) – Alyssa Thompson
Caitlin Clark made a massive splash in the W thanks to her stellar collegiate career. All eyes were on her when she joined the league, and she really proved herself through a lot of adversity. When soccer fans think about amazing rookies in the last five years, the name that comes up most is Alyssa Thompson.
Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) – Trinity Rodman
Angel Reese is really known on and off the court for her style—both her style of play and her personal style. They are both scrappy, hard-working players who do what they have to do for the point, steal, or save. And beyond that they have both begun making names for themselves in the public eye with their signature styles.
Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings) – Naomi Girma
Paige Bueckers has been part of the resurgence of the W. She made tons of news during her college career and went first overall in the draft, beating herself and breaking records too. Naomi Girma came to the USWNT during a similar time for soccer. Both of these young players proved that they have more than what it takes to go from college to the pros, and from being a player to being a powerhouse.
A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) – Emily Sonnett
A’ja Wilson is one of the best, most consistent, reliable, and leaderly players in the W at the moment. She will no doubt be a Hall of Famer after her eventual retirement and will always be thought of as one of the greats. One of the only currently active USWNT players who checks all of those leadership boxes is the one and only Emily Sonnet. She has always been someone we are happy to see on the pitch and know things will be taken care of, just like with Wilson.
Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) – Alyssa Naeher
The thing about Napheesa Collier is that she only gets better. Season after season, she has improved her numbers, been there for her team, and gained more and more recognition. This sounds to me a lot like our super keeper, Alyssa Naeher. Both Collier and Naeher have honed what they do so well that every improvement is still a surprise, because how could they possibly get any better?
Satou Sallaby (Phoenix Mercury) – Mallory Swanson
Satou Sallaby is known for her versatility. It seems that there is no corner of the court where she doesn’t excel. But her seasons have been cut short by injury and other setbacks. This star power that keeps being stifled reminds me of Mallory Pugh. But most of all, no matter how many times these players find themselves stepping back, they are determined to get back to it. They do not let their setbacks define them, but let their talent do the talking.
Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever) – Sam Coffey
Kelsey Mitchel is a name that got a lot of attention at the beginning of her career and is now starting to get more buzz back. She has been steady, and now that steadiness is starting to be recognized more for the value it brings to a team. Sam Coffey has had a similar path. She was an exciting newcomer, and then she came in and out of the roster, but now she’s getting to show off her captain qualities. We love a steadfast player who will grind even without the spotlight.
Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx) – Lindsey Heaps
Kayla McBride is another legend in the W. She is the kind of player who gives you that assurance, that sense is safety. If McBride is on the court, you know the job is going to get done. And I can’t think of a USWNT player who inspires that same level of confidence as Lindsey Heaps does. Both of these players are so good, so reliable, that they make us and their teams feel safe and confident.
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