The number of gay WNBA players has been a subject of interest because of the frequency of players who identify as lesbian. Despite claims that nearly all players are gay, data reveals that as of 2024, over , with the Phoenix Mercury having the most players. So, who is openly gay in the WNBA?

Aerial Powers joined the Atlanta Dream on a one-year deal in 2024. Her last season with the Minnesota Lynx ended in friction, which saw her get less game time. Things were also not well off the court, as she and her longtime girlfriend, Azure Rae, split up. Rae announced the end of their relationship on YouTube.

Jordin was traded in the 2024 WNBA draft from the Los Angeles Spark. She is a two-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm. In addition, Canada is a two-time WNBA Steals leader, a WNBA All-Defensive First Team member, and the WNBL Most Valuable Player.

The power forward has had an illustrious career in the WNBA. Since being drafted in 2014 by the New York Liberty, Thomas has been a five-time WNBA All-Star and a two-time WNBA First Team player. Regarding her relationship, Thomas is engaged to DeWanna Bonner.

DeWanna Bonner has been with the Connecticut Sun since 2020 and in the league since she was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2009. She achieved most of her success at the Mercury, winning two WNBA titles and being on the WNBA All-Star team six times. She is Alyssa Thomas’ partner. She was previously married to Candice Dupree.

In 2021, the Connecticut Sun drafted DiJonai from Baylor University as a second-round, 20th-overall pick. Apart from her on-court exploits, she also makes headlines off the court, particularly regarding her relationships. She is dating NaLyssa Smith, and the two are believed to have been partners since the 2020/21 season.

Arike is a highly-rated point guard for the Dallas Wings. She has several accolades, including four-time WNBA All-Star, two-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP, and was the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2019. Apart from basketball, she has appeared on the Dancing With the Stars season 26. She is engaged to Lala Ronay.

The Mexican was the team's first-round, fifth-overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft. She previously played for Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut. Alongside the Dallas Wings, Sénéchal BK Brno and Hozono Global Jairis.

Howard is one of WNBA’s most recognizable faces. She is a three-time WNBA champion and a two-time WNBA All-Star. In 2024, she married Jac’Eil Howard.

The Dallas Wings is her first team outside Turkey. She has achieved immense success, winning the Turkish Super League twice, the Turkish Presidential Cup twice, and the Turkish Cup Champions.

Erica Wheeler was undrafted in the 2012 WNBA draft. Nonetheless, she has played in the WNBA for the Atlanta Dream, the New York Liberty, and the Indiana Fever. The point guard is also making progress in her personal life. In 2023, Wheeler proposed to her girlfriend, Danielle Edwards.

NaLyssa Smith was drafted in the WNBA in 2022 by the Indiana Fever as a first-round, second-overall pick. Her first season was successful, as she finished on the WNBA All-Rookie Team.

In college, she was an NCAA Champion and won the Wade Trophy and Honda Sports Awards. Smith has been in a relationship with DiJonai Carrington since their days at Baylor University.

The point guard has been in the WNBA since 2011. She has played for the New York Liberty, San Antonio Stars, Minnesota Lynx, and Las Vegas Aces. She is in a relationship with stylist Amadi Brooks.

Chelsea Gray is a three-time WNBA champion and WNBA Finals MVP. She has also represented the United States and won two gold medals in Tokyo and the Paris Olympic Games. She is married to Tipesa Moorer.

Bell was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA in 2022, and she is already a two-time WNBA Champion. Her future is bright, and she is one to watch.

The Minnesota Lynx drafted the Los Angeles Sparks from the University of Connecticut in 2020 and immediately made an impact, finishing as the WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Cecilia is part of the Golden States’ founding team, scheduled to compete in the WNBA for the first time in 2025. She brings valuable experience, having played in the league before with the Minnesota Lynx.

The shooting guard signed a two-year guaranteed deal with the Lynx in 2024. Although she has played for various teams, her accolades list remains limited. Her most notable highlight was winning the WNBA Commissioner's Cup Champion (2024) and WNBA All-Star in 2021. She is dating Shya, a real estate agent.

The shooting guard has played for the team since 2021 and is making an impact. In 2024, she was part of the WNBA All-Star team and won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Champion.

Hiedeman is already building her managerial portfolio as she doubles up as a Pennsylvania University assistant coach and a player for the Minnesota Lynx. Away from the court, Hiedman is engaged to Jasmine Thomas.

The Australian power forward has played for multiple WNBA teams, including the Phoenix Mercury, the Indiana Fever, the Chicago Sky, and now the Minnesota Lynx. She has represented Australia at the Olympics, winning the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games.

Stewart has a decorated resume, having won the WNBA three times and twice been a WNBA Finals MVP and WNBA MVP. She is married to Marta Xargay Casademont.

Vandersloot spent most of her career at the Chicago Sky between 2011 and 2022 and then joined the New York Liberty. During her time in the league, she won the WNBA twice and was a WNBA All-Star. She is married to Allie Quigley.

Jones is a power forward for the team. The following year, she won her first league title and was also the WNBA Finals MVP. Jones is also a five-time WNBA All-Star and an All-WNBA First Team member. Regarding her love life, she is in a relationship with Nesha.

Brittney Griner is one of the most popular WNBA players. She has been with the Phoenix Mercury since 2013 and won only one WNBA Championship. Moreover, Griner is an Olympic gold medalist with the USA Team. Beyond her successful career, her romantic life has been in the public domain. She is currently married to Cherelle Griner.

Taurasi is one of the longest-serving players in this era, having been in the league since 2004 when the Phoenix Mercury drafted her. The shooting guard is a three-time WNBA Champion, twice the WNBA Finals MVP, and the 2009 WNBA MVP. She is married to Penny Taylor.

Copper joined the Phoenix Mercury in 2024 after playing for the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky in the WNBA. She is reportedly engaged to Binta Daisy Drammeh.

Fondly known as Tasha, she won her first WNBA title in 2019. Her great performance continued in 2022 when she finished as the WNBA Assists Leader. However, her on-court success is not reflected in her personal life as her marriage to Aleshia Ocasio ended in divorce.

Mack was a 2021 WNBA draft selection for the Chicago Sky, but she now plays for the Phoenix Mercury. She was an outstanding collegiate player, having won the WBCA Defensive Player of the Year (2021) and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (2021)

Llyod has been in the WNBA since 2015. She has won two WNBA titles, was the 2023 WNBA Scoring leader, and was a six-time WNBA All-Star. She is in a relationship with Téa Adams.

The point guard was drafted in the WNBA in 2023 in the first round as a ninth overall pick. In her first season, Horston was in the WNBA All-Rookie Team. She is dating Tamari Jeneva Key.

Vivians is a player and an assistant coach for the Seattle Storm and Mississippi State. In 2022, she got engaged to her partner, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt.

The 2022 WNBL Defensive Player of the Year joined the Washington Mystics in 2023. Her career has taken her to Turkey, Hungary and Australia.

Engstler played for the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx for one season each before joining the Mystics in 2024. When she is not in the WNBA, the small forward plays for Hapoel Lev Jerusalem in Jerusalem.

Dolson was drafted into the WNBA in 2014 with the Washington Mystics. She left in 2016 and resigned in 2024. Dolson has also played for Chicago Sky, where she won the WNBA title. She is in a relationship with Kristen Podlovits.

The Washington Mystics selected Christyn Williams as a second-round, 14th-overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft. She was a remarkable player in high school, having won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (2022), Big East tournament MOP (2022), and AAC Freshman of the Year (2019).

• Date of birth: December 17, 1998

In 2020, Sug Sutton was drafted as the third round, 36th overall pick from the University of Texas. In college, Sutton was the McDonald’s All-American (2016) and First-Team All-Big 12 (2019). The guard is in a relationship with Jaelyn Royal.

Final word

If you were wondering, “How many WNBA players are gay?" now you know. About 38% are openly in gay relationships. Some players have not revealed the identity of their partners but publicly identify as gay.

Tuko.co.ke published an article ranking the best midfielders in the world. These players are crucial to a team's success as they are involved in every passage of play. So, who are the best in this position? Read the article to find out who the world’s best midfielders are.

Source: TUKO.co.ke