Key Highlights
- Former college rivals Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are No. 1 and 2 on the list.
- Four rookies — Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, and Kamilla Cardoso — are in the top 10.
- Elena Delle Donne and A’ja Wilson are the only players on the list who have won a WNBA MVP.
The 2024 WNBA Draft may have altered some of the power dynamics of teams within the league, but it also shook up the rankings of the WNBA’s most followed players on Instagram. With the likes of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese now entering the professional ranks, the WNBA will have more eyes than ever on it as these social media starlets bring with them millions of fans. But where do the newcomers rank in terms of their social media prowess? Let’s take a look at the WNBA players with the most followers on Instagram.
Top 10 Most Followed WNBA Players
- Angel Reese, Chicago Sky — 3.1 million
- Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever — 2.2 million
- Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty — 1.1 million
- Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle Storm — 1 million
- Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces — 916K
- A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces — 867K
- Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks — 729K
- Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury — 718K
- Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky — 477K
- Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics — 451K
*As of 5/1/2024. All players must be on a WNBA roster to be considered for rankings.
Top 10 WNBA Players With The Most Instagram Followers
The WNBA has exploded in popularity over the last few seasons. The 2023 WNBA season became the most-watched regular season in 21 years. Higher ratings mean more people are watching some of the world’s best basketball players.
Thanks to the increased viewership and branding opportunities, many of the league’s marquee players have developed strong social media audiences, especially on Instagram. With the rise of NIL, several college players are entering the WNBA with large followings.
Heading into the 2024 season, these are the top 10 WNBA players with the most followers on Instagram.
10. Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics — 451K
One of the best WNBA players ever is Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne. In 10 seasons, Delle Donne has been a two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star. Delle Donne won the championship with the Mystics in 2019.
9. Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky — 477K
After a sensational college career, Kamilla Cardoso entered the 2024 WNBA Draft, going to the Chicago Sky at No. 3. The six-foot-seven shot-blocking center led South Carolina to three Final Fours, with two national championships in 2022 and 2024.
8. Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury — 718K
Drafted out of Baylor in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Brittney Griner made an impact right away, helping the Phoenix Mercury win the 2014 WNBA Championship. After missing the 2022 season, Griner returned in 2023 and quickly reestablished herself as a top player with averages of 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds.
7. Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks — 729K
Cameron Brink, the versatile forward out of Stanford University, was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Brink built a significant following in college and became New Balance’s first female basketball player.
6. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces — 867K
There may not be a more accomplished player on and off the court than Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson. The 27-year-old is a two-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA champion, and one-time WNBA Finals MVP. When not playing basketball, Wilson is a New York Times Best-Selling Author and Nike-sponsored athlete.
5. Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces — 916K
Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum was born to score the basketball. The former No. 1 pick helped the Aces win back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. Plum’s popularity landed her an endorsement deal with Under Armour.
4. Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle Storm — 1 million
When her career ends, Skylar Diggins-Smith will go down as one of the best point guards in WNBA history. Diggins-Smith’s nine-year resume includes six All-Star teams, four All-WNBA First-Team appearances, and two All-WNBA Second-Team selections.
3. Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty — 1.1 million
New York’s Sabrina Ionescu has become one of the game’s best point guards since entering the league in 2020. Ionescu is one of the league’s most popular stars, with over 1.1 million Instagram followers. Additionally, Ionescu is one of three WNBA players with a signature sneaker.
2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever — 2.2 million
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is arguably the most popular basketball player, male or female, right now in the United States. Clark broke nearly every scoring record in college at Iowa. Now, Clark enters the WNBA with massive endorsement deals with State Farm and Nike. With Nike, Clark signed an eight-year, $28 million contract, which includes a signature shoe.
1. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky — 3.1 million
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is the most followed WNBA player with 3.1 million followers. The “Bayou Barbie” became a superstar in 2023 when she captured the national championship with LSU. Reese is already one of the more marketable stars in the league because of her endorsement deals with Beats by Dre and Reebok.
Resources
https://www.wnba.com/news/2023-season-record-breaking-success-recap
