Top 10 WNBA Small Forwards 2023 Rankings

Ranking the best WNBA Small Forwards of the 2023 WNBA season as Elena Delle Donne lead the way. Also where Natasha Howard, and more rank

By admin | April 19, 2024

WNBA Small Forwards

The 2023 WNBA season is slowly approaching the mid-season mark with the WNBA All-Star game set for July 15th, 2023. With the WNBA All-Star game just around the corner the perfect time to look at the best wnba small forwards in the WNBA in 2023 has arrived. As you start to look around the league the WNBA is loaded with talent at the small forward position with wnba players who can not only score but also attack the rim as well as run their teams offenses. Headlining the Top 10 WNBA Small Forwards 2023 Rankings list is the Washington Mystics small forward Elena Della Donne.

The veteran small forward who is currently battling an injury is putting together another strong season to her career resume. Currently the Mystics forward is averaging 18.2 points per game to go along with six rebounds over her first 15 games of the 2023 WNBA Season.

The 18 points per game marks the 7th time in her WNBA career averaging that mark or more. Joining Della Donne among the top small forwards in the WNBA in 2023 include Satou Sabally of the Dallas Wings, DeWanna Bonner of the Connecticut Sun, Natasha Howard of the Dallas Wings, and Kahleah Copper of the Chicago Sky. Here is a look at the Top 10 WNBA Small Forwards 2023 Rankings.

Honorable Mention

Kayla Thornton

Team: New York Liberty

WNBA Stats: 5.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, .5 apg

Landing just outside of the Top 10 WNBA Small Forwards 2023 Rankings is the New York Liberty small forward Kayla Thornton.

Thornton who was just one of the many new additions to the Liberty roster this season continues to be a strong role player on the team while shooting nearly 50 percent (48.5) from the field this season.

Despite seeing just 17.9 minutes per game, Thornton is making the most of her time on the floor averaging 5.4 points per game to go along with 3.4 rebounds and nearly one steal per game (.8).

Myisha Hines-Allen

Team: Washington Mystics

WNBA Stats: 5.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, .7 apg

The former second round draft pick of the Washington Mystics during the 2018 WNBA Draft has shown flashes of being a top tier shooting option this season despite averaging just 13.6 points per game.

With Elena Delle Donne the main option, Myisha Hines-Allen has played her role well while averaging five points per game over limited minutes while being a solid three point threat hitting eight of her 21 three point attempts this season.

In addition to the five points per game, Hines-Allen is averaging nearly three rebounds per game (2.8) for the Mystics over the first half of the 2023 WNBA schedule.

Top 10 WNBA Small Forwards

10. Nia Coffey

Team: Atlanta Dream

WNBA Stats: 6.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.6 apg

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 WNBA Small Forwards 2023 Rankings is the Atlanta Dream small forward Nia Coffey. Coffey who is in her second season with the Dream has been strong all season for the Dream while being solid both on the glass as well as a defender.

The former Northwestern Cougar star has averaged 4.2 rebounds over her first 18 game while also posting 1.2 blocked shots per contest. On the offensive end of the floor Coffey has added 6.5 points per game while shooting 43.2 percent from behind the three point line this season.

9. Alysha Clark

Team: Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Stats: 6.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.0 apg

When you have as loaded roster as the Las Vegas Aces have players often go unrecognized and noticed despite being a key contributor to the team. One of those key wnba players for the Aces this season while taking on the role as a role player on the defending WNBA Champions roster is Alysha Clark.

Clark who has been a consistent starter over the past eight WNBA season has started just one of 20 game played this season. Nonetheless, Clark has found ways to average 6.6 points per game to go along with 2.7 rebounds and one assists per game while helping the team to the best record in the WNBA.

8. Sophie Cunningham

Team: Phoenix Mercury

WNBA Stats: 10.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.9 apg

The former 2019 WNBA second round pick of the Phoenix Mercury continues to play a strong role on the team while averaging 28 minutes per game during the 2023 WNBA season.

Sophie Cunningham who played her college basketball for the Missouri Tigers is averaging 10.8 points per game over her first 16 games of the season while also adding 2.3 rebounds and nearly two assists per game (1.9).

On the year Cunningham has delivered two games of at least 21 points and two additional games with at least 16 points scored.

7. Dearica Hamby

Team: Los Angeles Sparks

WNBA Stats: 9.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.0 apg

After spending the past five seasons with the Las Vegas Aces including last season during the team’s WNBA Championship run, Dearica Hamby has settled into a nice role with the team this season.

The nine year WNBA veteran is averaging 25.6 minutes per game over the team’s first 19 games of the season. Over that stretch Hamby is averaging nearly double digit points per game (9.5) while being strong on the glass while averaging over six rebounds per game (6.3).

The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon small forward has also averaged two assists per game while playing strong defense on the opposite end of the floor all season.

6. Cheyenne Parker

Team: Atlanta Dream

WNBA Stats: 14.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.5 apg

The nine year WNBA veteran is off to the best start of her WNBA career over the course of the first 18 games played this season.

Cheyenne Parker who is in her third season with the Atlanta Dream has filled out the Dream roster well this season while averaging a career high 14.9 points per game as well as career highs in rebounds with 7.6 per game.

On the defensive end of the floor Parker has been strong as well posting career highs with 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocked shots per game. Entering the 2023 WNBA All-Star break, Parker had posted three straight double double performances for the Dream in three straight wins.

5. Kahleah Copper

Team: Chicago Sky

WNBA Stats: 17.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.8 apg

Rounding out the Top 5 on the Top 10 WNBA Small Forwards 2023 Rankings is the Chicago Sky Kahleah Copper. Copper who has improved in each of the past three seasons with the Sky is averaging a career high 17 points per game over her first 18 games played this season.

In addition to the scoring Copper has averaged 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while averaging 31.2 minutes played per game. Over those 18 games, Copper has turned in five 20 plus point performances as well as seven games with at least six assists.

4. Natasha Howard

Team: Dallas Wings

WNBA Stats: 17.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.7 apg

One team loaded with fire power at the small forward/forward position is the Dallas Wings who have both Satou Sabally as well as Natasha Howard holding down the position.

Each of those two talented forwards land among the best small forwards in the WNBA this season. The dynamic duo are averaging 34.8 points per game to go along with 17.5 rebounds per game.

Howard enters the 2023 WNBA All-Star break averaging 17.3 points per game this season over her first 19 games played during her first season with the Wings. In addition, Howard has been a strong defensive player all season averaging 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game on the defensive end of the floor.

3. DeWanna Bonner

Team: Connecticut Sun

WNBA Stats: 18.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.9 apg

As you look around at the talented WNBA Small Forwards in the league the list it is loaded with a ton of options including DeWanna Bonner. Bonner who was selected during the 2009 WNBA Draft, is in her fourth season with the Connecticut Sun has played well all season while earning her fifth selection to the WNBA All-Star team.

Over her first 19 games of the season, Bonner is averaging 18.2 points per game to go along with 1.1 steals, 1.9 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Her play on the floor this season included nine games with at least 20 points, one game scoring 41 points as well as seven games posting at least seven rebounds. Bonner continues to play well on both ends of the floor for the Sun this season.

2. Satou Sabally

Team: Dallas Wings

WNBA Stats: 17.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.4 apg

Joining her teammate Natasha Howard on the list of the best small forwards is Satou Sabally who is in her fourth season with the Dallas Wings. Sabally who the team drafted with the second overall pick during the 2020 WNBA Draft, has blossomed into one of the top scoring forwards in the WNBA this season.

The former Oregon Ducks star has averaged a career high 17.5 points per game to start the season over a career high 32.8 minutes per game played. Over that stretch of play Sabally has also posted a career high with 9.3 rebounds per game as well as career highs in assists (3.4) and steals (1.5) per game.

In 19 games this season Sabally has posted 11 double doubles including a 27 point and 15 rebound performance in the teams 89-72 win over the Washington Mystics back on July 2nd, 2023.

1. Elena Delle Donne

Team: Washington Mystics

WNBA Stats: 18.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.6 apg

In at number one on Top 10 WNBA Small Forwards 2023 Rankings list is the 10 year WNBA veteran Elena Delle Donne. Delle Donne who has spent the past six seasons with the Washington Mystics continue to rank among the wnba best players on the floor for the team as well around the WNBA.

The former Delaware Blue Hen star who was selected second overall during the 2013 WNBA Draft was selected to her seventh WNBA All-Star team this season after averaging 18.2 points per game over her first 15 games of the season.

While the Mystics All-Star will miss the game due to an injury ankle injury, the veteran is expected to return at some point this season to continue to build on her strong season.

How would you rank these WNBA Small Forwards so far into the 2023 WNBA Season? Rank below in the WNBA Power Rankings