Top 10 Lowest-Paid WNBA Players of All Time

The WNBA is hailed as a platform that has given excellent women’s basketball players to the world. However, players' remuneration for such excellent performances is not equal to their male counterparts league, the NBA. The league has even received much criticism over the years for the act. However, the primary reasons for the lower pay from the league have surfaced as marketing, revenue, and traction concerns. The WNBA does not draw the attention of the viewers as much as the NBA, and that’s why the pay disparity continues.

However, the WNBA viewership surged to an all-time high in 2024, as per the record, hitting 54 million unique viewers across different broadcasting channels. Some senior players, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, are even earning from that fortune, but some of the players still fall in the least-paid category of the league. And it cannot change overnight, as the monetary equations have evolved in line. Soon, the upcoming generation might earn better than even the seasoned players of the game if the league’s popularity continues to surge. The following piece on the minimum salary in the WNBA will explore the players who were not earning big numbers before the viewership boom era and who are still not earning big numbers.

For a long time, WNBA players have been playing overseas in the offseason to add extra sum to their worth. It is a kind of supplemental role to fill the insufficient pay in the league and get a better monetary reward. However, today’s least-paid players might earn hefty contracts like their NBA counterparts if the league continues to evolve at the same rate. So, let’s look closer at who is the lowest paid WNBA player?

10 Lowest-Paid WNBA Players of All Time

Throughout the history of the WNBA, there have been several players and superstars who have been rewarded for their game, but there are a few who still have room to grow financially. Here's a table for the lowest-paid players :

WNBA revenue and profits are quite meager compared to its parent league. So, players earning low compared to their NBA counterparts is quite sad indeed in every regard. Nevertheless, here are some of the lowest paid WNBA players in the league.

#10: Emily Engstler ($62,285)

This defensive phenomenon, Emily Engstler, is part of a happy collective of early first-round draft picks in the 2022 Draft. However, she is taking home pay that is on the lower end of the league's ceilings for rookie salaries. She is one of the lowest paid WNBA athletes, being paid a low rookie salary and being a first-round draft pick.

Engstler has tenured defensive specialist abilities and has an aggressive specialty to control opposing teams' defensive game plan. She should have far more than an extensive WNBA career, with her special capabilities on the defensive end of the game. How she brings ability to defend multiple positions proves crucial in being able to defend and set up in a well-resonating resonate in their oppressive rotations coming off the bench. The energy she provides is a staple for WNBA athletes playing the process of developing their functional bench use.

In parallel with her development at the offensive end of the game, her commitments to working with the community by participating in community service programs channel effort through her volunteer work with community sports programs, and a part-time day-to-day role, laser-focused and benefit their community. Engstler ranks 10th among the lowest paid WNBA players.

#9: Shakira Austin ($62,2850)

WNBA rookie Shakira Austin has a chance to establish herself as a key contributor for the Washington Mystics' talented forward group this season. Austin is a first-year rookie, a first-round pick, and she has a starting salary of $62,285, just the way it goes, a rookie-scale contract for the majority of first-time players. It is not a high salary by any means, but based on what her work represents, Austin will earn substantial endorsement deals and contracts in the coming years.

One of the lowest paid WNBA players, Austin's basketball career is just starting to blossom in her potential in defensive play and rebounding. Off the court, she is a strong proponent of raising mental health awareness for athletes and wants to take it far outside of just sports. Austin favors making an impact in the community and cares for players' welfare, setting her apart as a complete athlete. With all this, Shakira Austin ranks as the 9th lowest paid WNBA player in history, which demonstrates the need to increase rookie salaries. With all that potential, many in the sports think very highly of her future and see her evolving into one of the biggest superstars in the sport, both professionally and commercially down the line.

#8: Aisha Sheppard ($62,285)

Coming out of high school, Sheppard was the Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington D.C. and rated the 34th-ranked recruit of the 2017 Class by ESPN's HoopGurlz. In her 5-year stint at Virginia Tech, she averaged 11.8 points per game, 1.9 assists per game, and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting .372 percent from three-point distance.

In the 2022 WNBA draft, Sheppard was selected 23rd overall by the Las Vegas Aces. Sheppard played in 23 games for the Aces as a rookie after being selected, contributing to their 2022 WNBA Championship. Sheppard was waived by the Aces in training camp during the 2023 season. She is paid one of the lowest salaries within the WNBA. Despite having limited minutes while being paid a modest salary, Sheppard’s hustle on the floor, perimeter shooting skill, and willingness to contribute as a teammate stood out in Las Vegas.

Sheppard is still training and exploring options to get back in the WNBA. Sheppard's experience is reflective of just how competitive WNBA roster spots are, as well as the financial realities of being drafted low in the WNBA draft regardless of solid collegiate careers. Sheppard is eager to get back in the league and show her value.

#7: Jasmine Dickey ($62,285)

Dickey committed to the Blue Hens of Delaware in September 2017. Throughout her collegiate career, Dickey averaged 11.8 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. She is among the lowest paid WNBA players.

Dickey was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, being taken 30th overall. She was only the third player ever drafted from the University of Delaware, along with Tyresa Smith and superstar Elena Delle Donne. Dickey's drafting was a key accomplishment for the program.

Even with Dickey's impressive college stats, rookie contracts leave her on the lower side of WNBA salaries, ranking 7th for the lowest paid WNBA players. She has a strong work ethic, the ability to rebound, and continues to bring versatility to the floor. Dickey still has a lot of room for development, and her ceiling is undefined. She is very focused on proving herself and finding a lasting role in professional women's basketball.

#6: Elisa Cunane ($62,285)

Elissa Cunane is a professional basketball player in the Czech Women's Basketball League for the BK Žabiny Brno. She played college basketball at NC State before being drafted by the Seattle Storm in the 2022 WNBA Draft. During her college career, Cunane averaged 14.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while heavily relying on her abilities as a center and showed proof that she is a reliable and skilled player.

More recently, she entered into a training camp contract agreement with the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's 12th franchise, giving her another opportunity to re-enter the WNBA. She has ranked 6th amongst the lowest paid in the WNBA. Regardless of wage, her height, situational awareness, and rebounding abilities give her value. Her adventure shows the hardships that players in a post position face with breaking in and also staying there. Nonetheless, she has shown determination trying to achieve her WNBA dreams and work toward one day being signed to a roster.

#5: Destanni Henderson ($62,285)

Destanni Henderson is a very recognizable global student-athlete with an impressive body of work. She surely will earn two to three times her worth from the endorsements and future contracts to come, as she entered the league with a salary of $62,285, but she has earned a name for herself with her profile and performance, to build her future with. With the lowest salary in WNBA women's basketball, she is filled with her individuality and vibrant sporting passion, and ambition.

Henderson has already received a few fashion endorsements while she was at it, wearing an athletic hat with her own swag. People admire her for her quick court vision and great playmaking ability, but she is also well on her way to reaching new heights in her off-court pursuits. Henderson is known in part for her unique outfits and creative expression. She has slowly begun to forge a path in lifestyle branding, fashion collaboration, and social media influence. With her vibrant persona and hustle, she is a candidate for endorsement deals in the future and success in the league long-term.

#4 Evina Westbrook ($62,285)

Evina Westbrook is absolutely a 360-degree player on the defensive end, for certain. The pay does not likely reflect her stats, again, game play, or impact in terms of representations in other forms. However, her value really expands beyond the numbers particularly her game play or use her voice for representation, inclusion in sport, mentorship of other players, advocates, leaders and for aspiring athletes alike, makes her an ambassador for all today and tomorrow's prospective members of opportunity in sport, at any age or level. She still remains one of the furthest down the rung of paid players in the WNBA.

No matter the financial remuneration, her knowledge of the game through extraordinary playmaking and defence makes her a roster player today and going forward, irrespective of pay.

Westbrook is a unique player, given her ability, talent, and the use of the platform she has to speak out on some of the most important social challenges of our time including mental health, equality in sport, along with establishing and creating new identity, as a player and community leader in sport- exchanging with her leadership a better future for the game and its contributors. We understand the corporate shackles for her remuneration. Yet her recommendation and leadership continue to expand to new limitless avenues.

#3 Christyn Williams ($62,285)

Christyn Williams is a promising talent coming out of UConn, but she is facing some difficulties in her career in the WNBA. She is a great talent, but injuries have been a constant challenge to her abilities. A salary of $62,285 is an unfortunate situation when you consider how much she could add to the game once she has fully recovered. Williams is staying positive, making progress in her injury rehabilitation process, and using her productive time in college to put her in a position for high school coaching and the media. Her leadership skills, basketball IQ, and fan club give her an edge even when she is not playing.

She continues to train, work with young players, and remain involved with the game; however, she can through interviews and volunteering. Due to her mental toughness and tenacity, Williams' journey is inspiring, and with her continued efforts, care, and rehabilitation, Williams is truly mounted for a strong comeback and rewarding professional career in the game of basketball.

#2: Kayla Wells ($62,285)

Kayla Wells is still among the lowest paid WNBA players, being paid a base pay of $62,285. Wells's pay serves to highlight the huge disparity between the WNBA where only some players get high-value contracts and the rest, especially those early in their careers or on short-term deals, earn almost minimum pay. Talent and potential aside, Wells's salary shows the complications young or less-established players face in trying to carve a career in the league. While top-tier veterans might earn up to $249,000 through supermax deals, players like Kayla often get far less, yet they help teams significantly on the court. Her case brings to the forefront the ongoing discussions about pay equity and development opportunities in professional women's basketball.

#1: Khayla Pointer ($62,285)

When Pointer's high school eligibility was up, she was a 4-star recruit and ranked 70th in the ESPN HoopGurlz Ranking. Pointer's high school career would be the next step in having an exceptional career. Pointer was ranked 14th in Prospect Nation when she decided to commit to the LSU Tigers program. Pointer is currently one of the lowest paid players in the WNBA. Pointer was selected in the WNBA draft by the Las Vegas Aces and played for the Indiana Fever. After 10 games with the Fever, she was released before training camp. She is currently playing for Casademont Zaragoza in the Spanish Women's League. Although Pointer is not in the WNBA, she currently has the opportunity to develop her game through work and gain valuable international experiences overseas. Pointer has a strong desire to improve her skill development, her versatility as a playmaker, her high level of competitiveness, and her intangibles make her an incredible asset for a WNBA team. Pointer still aspires to one day return to the WNBA and be an example to young females in professional sports, who have also faced adversity.