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Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
WNBA 2025: Who are the top 10 most followed players of the league on Instagram?
Angel Reese (Photo by) and Caitlin Clark (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NBAE/Getty) While the WNBA concentrates on its 29th season since its establishment in 1996, the players from the league have garnered significant attention from the fans within just years of their debut. Recent reports have stated how certain players have a higher following than the team they represent. One such name is Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, who boasts a higher following across social media platforms than any other player in the league. While the discussion is at it, let's have a look at the top ten most followed WNBA players on Instagram . Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese tops the list, surpasses the following count of WNBA official Instagram handle as well While the WNBA preseason ended on May 12, the regular season kicked off on May 16. And players like Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Skylar Diggins and others are very much in the news, another aspect of the WNBA players comes to the surface as fans look for the most popular and followed players across the social media platforms. Below are the top 10 WNBA players who have the highest follower count (from lowest to highest) on Instagram. 10. Skylar Diggins Smith - 1 million Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins-Smith was named a WNBA All-Star in 2014 owing to her extraordinary performances that season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Inayawan: Scholarships You Can Apply For (Start Now) College Scholarship | Google Search Search Now Undo In the same year, Diggins also won the WNBA Most Improved Player Award. While her professional achievements are on a high, the player stands among the top 10 most followed athletes within the NBA with a follower count of 1 million on Instagram. 9. Jewel Lloyd - 1.1 million Selected by the Seattle Storm in the 2015 WNBA draft, Jewel Lloyd currently plays as a guard for the Las Vegas Aces. The player became a part of championship victories twice, both during her tenure with the Storm in 2018 and 2020. Lloyd has been listed on the All-WNBA team several times, and while she gives her best on the court, off the court, she maintains a social media life as well, which has rendered her a total of 1.1 million on Instagram alone. 8. Kelsey Plum - 1.2 million The 2022 WNBA All-Star Game MVP and the three-time WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum, apart from her professional journey on the court, is also the founder of the Dawg Class Basketball Camp. Point guard for the Los Angeles Sparks, Plum is widely popular amongst the fans for her skills as well as her impressive basketball career arc. Plum has a total of 1.2 million followers just on Instagram 7. Hailey Van Lith - 1.3 million The Chicago Sky point guard, Hailey Van Lith, was drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2025. The 23-year-old player, at a young age, was the Big 12 Player of the Year. While her professional career has just begun, the player has won two gold medals with the United States at the youth international level. Even though the player has to go a long way before establishing herself within the league, Hailey has already garnered a significant amount of support from her fans, as her follower count stands at 1.3 million in Instagram. 6. Cameron Brink - 1.3 million Los Angeles Sparks point guard Cameron Brink was selected as the second pick of the WNBA draft by the team. The player has previously proved her skills on the court, claiming the WBCA Defensive Player of the Year and the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup Most Valuable Player Award. The player has a total of 1.3 million followers on Instagram, making her one of the top-most followed WNBA players. 5. A'ja Wilson - 1.3 million The 28-year-old Las Vegas Aces centre player A'ja Wilson, throughout her career in basketball until now, has achieved a number of accolades, including the 2017 NCAA Most Outstanding Player and has claimed the SEC Player of the Year for three straight years. She was also declared the WNBA MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024. Apart from her much-deserved claims on the court, the player also has an online popularity amongst her fans with a follower count of 1.3 million on Instagram alone. 4. Sabrina Ionescu - 1.4 million Widely considered as one of the greatest three-point shooters of all time, New York Liberty point guard Sabrina Ionescu is a three-time WNBA All-Star and led the Liberty to their first championship in 2024. The player makes it to the top-most followed WNBA player with a follower count of 1.4 million. 3. Paige Bueckers - 2.6 million 23-year-old Paige Bueckers made her debut in the WNBA as part of the Dallas Wings against the Minnesota Lynx. Early in her career, the player was a three-time unanimous first-team All-American in college and has the highest career scoring average in UConn history. While Bueckers' debut within the WNBA was recent, the player has the third-highest followers on Instagram 2. Caitlin Clark - 3.2 million Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark has already set records, winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2024, and made it to the All-WNBA First Team as well as WNBA All-Star Game. With the second most number of followers on Instagram, the player has helped popularise women's basketball, which is also known as the Caitlin Clark effect. 1. Angel Reese - 4.9 million Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese tops the list with 4.9 million followers on Instagram. Also known as the Bayou Barbie and Chi Barbie, the player was selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the team. Reese was previously announced as the SEC Player of the Year Award winner and an All-American. Also read: Jalen Brunson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic join NBA legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryany with a 10+30-point game The players of the WNBA are more popular and followed by the fans than the teams themselves. In fact, the most followed player, Reese, has a higher following count than the league page of the WNBA itself, which stands at 3.3 million.
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Hornets honour players at annual awards banquet
The Alliston Hornets honoured players at the local hockey club's annual awards banquet held at the Alliston Legion on Saturday, May 29. The Hornets had a stellar year, winning 40 games over the regular season and taking only two losses on shoot-outs. Unfortunately, the team's goal of claiming a provincial title this year fell apart when the Hornets lost the Carruthers Division final series to the Orillia Terriers in a series that went five games. The loss was a shock to fans who had followed the Hornets' winning season. Club president Ken Cowen thanked the players for their hard work and dedication, the coaches, trainers, and other club personnel, as well as the volunteers who helped keep the club running. 'The Hornets are a non-profit community team,' Cowen said. 'That means that all the money from sponsors, the fan base, and fundraising events by the team go directly back into the organization.' He noted, 'The costs of hockey go up every year.' Cowen thanked the executive of the club, as well as the staff, including those who do everything from selling tickets to keeping the dressing room clean, with a special nod to Hornets general manager Travis Chapman. 'Our GM Travis Chapman spends hours on the telephone every day looking for players, working out issues, and talking to the PJHL,' Cowen said. The Hornets honoured their graduating players who have completed their junior hockey careers. Graduating players are #11, Jaeden French, #17, Cole Turcotte, and #47, Jacob Holmes. Awards were presented to players for their efforts during this past season. The Rookie of the Year award was presented to Will Hopcraft. Jacob Holmes was named MVP as well as the Best Defenceman. The Dougie Award for team spirit was awarded to Aiden Landers. The Most Improved Player Award was presented to Will Millington. Seth Ronan was honoured as Best Goalie. The Most Sportsmanlike Player Award was presented to Cole Turcotte. Jax Bellwood was named Playoff MVP. The Hornets have announced a new head coach for the 2025/26 season. Dan Schaly, a former professional hockey player and a recent assistant coach with the Innisfil Spartans, will take over coaching duties for the upcoming season.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Forward Makes Bold Statement About Teammate
The Chicago Sky made two excellent choices in the 2024 WNBA Draft when they selected South Carolina big Kamilla Cardoso and LSU forward Angel Reese. The two were key cogs for the Sky during their rookie seasons, and they are widely considered to be the best young duo of post players in the league. Cardoso averaged an efficient 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds during her rookie campaign, shooting 52.1% from the floor and 72.6% from the free throw line. She also contributed in a variety of other aspects, adding 1.7 assists and a stellar 1.4 blocks per contest, which earned her a spot on the All-Rookie team last season. Chicago Sky forward Kamilla Cardoso (10).Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports She is already one of the best in the WNBA at altering shots in the paint, and she still has room for growth early in her professional career. Luckily, she has Reese beside her to motivate her, and a slew of veterans to lean on for advice. Advertisement The second-year player recently spoke to the media in Chicago and talked about how she plans to improve her game this season. Part of that is being a sponge for established players on the roster, like 10-year veteran post player Elizabeth Williams. "Kamilla Cardoso says she looks up to Elizabeth Williams as a post player and 'wants to be as great as she is,'' Sky reporter Karli Bell wrote. Williams won the Most Improved Player Award in 2016, was an All-Star in 2017 and has two All-Defensive selections to her name. She has made an impact for four different franchises in various capacities, making her an ideal player for Cardoso to continue learning from. Advertisement Cardoso will likely start over Williams to begin the year, but that does not mean she cannot pull from the veteran's pool of knowledge. This duo will be on full display for the first time in the 2025 WNBA season when the Sky take on the Indiana Fever on May 17. Related: Chicago Sky Coach Makes Bold Angel Reese Declaration Before WNBA Season Related: Chicago Sky Rookie Receives Major News Ahead of WNBA Season
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels wins 2025 NBA Most Improved Player award
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels was named the 2025 NBA Most Improved Player on Wednesday, winning the award over Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and L.A. Clippers big Ivica Zubac. Daniels ran away with the award. He earned 44 first-place votes and 332 total points, nearly double what Zubac earned for his second-place finish. Cunningham finished third with 122 points. Daniels arrived in Atlanta this past season after two years with the New Orleans Pelicans and saw his numbers soar with the Hawks. He capped off his first campaign with career-best averages of 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and a league-leading three steals per game. His shooting also improved from 43.5% in his first two seasons to 49.3% this year. Daniels' performance earned him a starting spot in the rotation, which he did not get in two years with the Pelicans. Cunningham averaged 26.1 points and 9.1 assists this season with the Pistons, whom he helped lead to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Zubac averaged 16.8 points and a career-high 12.6 rebounds this season with the Clippers. Like most NBA honors, the Most Improved Player Award is voted upon by a panel of 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the league and cast ballots shortly after the regular season concludes. Other results announced before Daniels' win include: San Antonio's Stephon Castle winning Rookie of the Year, Cleveland's Evan Mobley winning Defensive Player of the Year, New York's Jalen Brunson winning Clutch Player of the Year and Boston's Payton Pritchard winning Sixth Man of the Year. The Hawks went 40-42 in the regular season and secured the ninth seed before losing both play-in games to Orlando and Miami.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels wins 2025 NBA Most Improved Player award
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels was named the 2025 NBA Most Improved Player on Wednesday, winning the award over Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and L.A. Clippers big Ivica Zubac. Daniels ran away with the award. He earned 44 first-place votes and 332 total points, nearly double what Zubac earned for his second-place finish. Cunningham finished third with 122 points. Advertisement Daniels arrived in Atlanta this past season after two years with the New Orleans Pelicans and saw his numbers soar with the Hawks. He capped off his first campaign with career-best averages of 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and a league-leading three steals per game. His shooting also improved from 43.5% in his first two seasons to 49.3% this year. Daniels' performance earned him a starting spot in the rotation, which he did not get in two years with the Pelicans. Cunningham averaged 26.1 points and 9.1 assists this season with the Pistons, whom he helped lead to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Zubac averaged 16.8 points and a career-high 12.6 rebounds this season with the Clippers. Advertisement Like most NBA honors, the Most Improved Player Award is voted upon by a panel of 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the league and cast ballots shortly after the regular season concludes. Other results announced before Daniels' win include: San Antonio's Stephon Castle winning Rookie of the Year, Cleveland's Evan Mobley winning Defensive Player of the Year, New York's Jalen Brunson winning Clutch Player of the Year and Boston's Payton Pritchard winning Sixth Man of the Year. The Hawks went 40-42 in the regular season and secured the ninth seed before losing both play-in games to Orlando and Miami.
