WNBA 30: These are the 10 greatest shooting guards the league has seen

The WNBA is celebrating its 30th anniversary and with WNBA All-Star weekend approaching, we are celebrating the all-time best players in league history at every position.

Today, we look at shooting guards. The two guard, unlike the point guard who facilitates the offense, is looking to score. Whether they are trying to create offense from the perimeter or by driving the basket, high basketball IQ is imperative.

Diana Taurasi is perhaps the greatest shooting guard to play the game. The 11-time WNBA All-Star is the league's all-time leading scorer and had one of the most powerful first steps in basketball. Her ability to catch and shoot is legendary.

Once the ball was in her hands, she'd make a split-second decision — drive, shoot or pass. "If it takes you longer than that, the moment's gone," Taurasi once said.

While Taurasi is at the top of the list, the WNBA has had its share of talented two guards. Cynthia Cooper was 34 when she made her WNBA debut. No matter, the legend helped the Houston Comets win four championships. From Cooper to Kelsey Plum to Katie Smith, these are the shooting guards who built the game.

Without further ado, let's take a look at USA TODAY Sports' list of the 10 best shooting guards in league history:

10. Katie Douglas

Orlando Miracle (2001-2002), Connecticut Sun (2003-2007, 2014), Indiana Fever (2008-2013)

Katie Douglas played for the Miracle for her first two seasons before relocating with the team to Connecticut, where she became one of the Sun's first stars. A nine-time All-WNBA selection — including first-team All-Defense three times — Douglas was also named to five All-Star teams. She helped Purdue to its only NCAA title in 1999 and was traded to her hometown team, the Indiana Fever, in 2008. She paired with Tamika Catchings for their only title in 2012. Douglas has a career scoring average of 13.5 points on 41% shooting. Douglas was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

9. Jewell Loyd

Seattle Storm (2015-2024), Las Vegas Aces (2025-2026)

Alongside point guard Sue Bird and power forward Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd helped the Storm win three titles. The Notre Dame product was selected No. 1 overall in 2015 and went on to win Rookie of the Year. Loyd is known for her ability to score in bunches and can take over a game when her team needs it most. She is a four-time all-WNBA pick and six-time All-Star. Loyd averages 15.8 points on 40% shooting and won another title with the Aces last season.

8. Deanna Nolan

Detroit Shock (2001-2009)

Nicknamed Tweety, Deanna Nolan was the engine that drove the Shock to three WNBA titles. The Georgia product was a 10-time All-WNBA pick — including two first-team WNBA nods — and four-time All-Star. Nolan was defined by her rare combination of athleticism, tenacious on-ball defense and clutch scoring. She averaged 13.6 points per game on 41% shooting but was even better in the postseason, averaging 18.1 points on 42% shooting. A Flint native, Nolan was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

7. Kelsey Mitchell

Indiana Fever (2018-2026)

Kelsey Mitchell has become a more prolific since being selected No. 2 overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft behind A'ja Wilson. The Ohio State product has a rare ability to create her own shot and is averaging a career-high 22.7 points this season. Her career average is 17.8 points on 43% shooting. Mitchell will make her fourth All-Star appearance this weekend. She is a two-time All-WNBA pick and will likely keep moving up this list.

6. Cappie Pondexter

Phoenix Mercury (2006-2009) New York Liberty (2010-2014), Chicago Sky (2014-2017), Indiana Fever/Las Vegas Aces (2018)

Cappie Pondexter was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft behind Seimone Augustus. She had a killer midrange jumper, quick crossovers and the ability to create her own shot off the dribble. The Rutgers product was seven-time All-Star and six-time All-WNBA selection. A two-time champion during her time with the Mercury, Pondexter averaged 16.4 points on 42% shooting. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.

5. Kelsey Plum

San Antonio Silver Stars (2017), Las Vegas Aces (2018-2024), Los Angeles Sparks (2025-present)

Kelsey Plum has grown into one of the best shooters in the league since being selected No. 1 in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars. The Washington product averaged single-digit scoring in her first three seasons before missing 2020 because of an Achilles injury. Plum's shooting efficiency, high basketball IQ and relentless work ethic have helped her become a five-time All-Star and two-time champion. She has averaged 19.1 points a game in the six seasons her Achilles injury.

4. Katie Smith

Minnesota Lynx (1999-2005), Detroit Shock (2005-2009), Washington Mystics (2010), Seattle Storm (2011-2012), New York Liberty (2013)

Katie Smith started her professional career playing for the WNBA rival ABL, helping the Columbus Quest to two titles. With unmatched versatility and work ethic, Smith was once the all-time leading scorer in women's professional basketball (ABL and WNBA combined). A member of the WNBA All-Decade Team in the 2000s, Smith was a five-time All-WNBA pick and seven-time All-Star. A two-time champion with the Detroit Shock, Smith averaged 14.8 points per game on 40% shooting. The Ohio State product was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

3. Seimone Augustus

Minnesota Lynx (2006-2019), Las Vegas Aces (2020)

Augustus was named All-WNBA six times and made the All-Star team eight times while helping the Minnesota Lynx to four championships. She had lethal midrange jumper, deadly crossover and smooth footwork. During her 15-season career, the LSU product averaged 19.2 points on 48% shooting. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

2. Cynthia Cooper

Houston Comets (1997-2000, 2003)

Cynthia Cooper played the majority of her professional career overseas before the WNBA was formed in 1997. The USC product won the first two WNBA MVP awards and helped the Comets to four consecutive championships from 1997 to 2000. After coaching for two seasons with the Mercury, Cooper returned to the Comets in 2003 before retiring. She averaged 21 points and 45% shooting during her five-year career. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 — known as the Michael Jordan of women's basketball, she was the first WNBA player inducted.

1. Diana Taurasi

Phoenix Mercury (2004-2024)

Nicknamed the White Mamba, Taurasi was known for her unmatched, relentless scoring ability and fierce competitive drive. The UConn product was the 2009 WNBA MVP, a 10-time first-team All-WNBA pick and an 11-time All-Star. With 10,646 career points, Taurasi is the WNBA's all-time leading scorer. She led the Mercury to three titles and averaged 22.1 points on 42% shooting over her 21-season career.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA 30: These are the 10 greatest shooting guards the league has seen