The 2025 WNBA season has officially tipped off, and with it comes a fresh wave of talent you’ll want to keep your eyes on.
At For The Win, we pride ourselves on highlighting not just the big names, but also those under-the-radar players who deserve more attention. Whether you’re just getting into the WNBA or have followed it for years, this guide will introduce you to some low-key stars who could have breakout seasons.
So, what exactly do we mean by “sleeper” players? These are the athletes flying below the radar those who may not be household names yet, but have the skill and opportunity to make a major impact. Let’s take a look at three such players to watch in 2025:
1. Rickea Jackson – Forward, Los Angeles Sparks
While veteran Kelsey Plum’s arrival in L.A. will generate headlines, Rickea Jackson is the name fans should really focus on. Coming off a strong rookie year, Jackson started 35 of 40 games and averaged 13.4 points and nearly four boards per game. She’s especially deadly from midrange but quietly made waves from deep as well hitting 50% or better from three in 12 games, including a 25-point explosion with six triples against Dallas on August 25. If she continues to develop her perimeter game, she’ll be a key piece for a Sparks team looking to improve its outside shooting.
2. Kamilla Cardoso – Center, Chicago Sky
Angel Reese may draw much of the attention in Chicago, but Kamilla Cardoso is another rising talent who’s ready to step up. Despite missing eight games in her rookie campaign due to injury, Cardoso made her presence felt in the paint, nearly averaging a double-double with close to 10 points and eight rebounds per game. With a full offseason under her belt and veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot now running the offense, expect smoother guard-post chemistry and a more productive season from Cardoso potentially averaging around 12 points and 10 boards per game.
This is what brings me joy https://t.co/cNQE4uQp7K pic.twitter.com/nmJY87GjPg
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) May 11, 2025
3. Sonia Citron – Guard, Washington Mystics
If you haven’t heard of Sonia Citron yet, that’s about to change. Drafted third overall out of Notre Dame, the rookie guard brings a balanced scoring ability and tough defensive mindset to the Mystics. She’s aggressive, smart, and not afraid to get her hands dirty often diving for loose balls or creating turnovers. In a preseason matchup against Indiana, she tallied 15 points, four rebounds, a steal, and a block in just 22 minutes. With two preseason starts under her belt, she’s likely to start during the regular season and could become a core contributor right away.
What a debut from #22 pic.twitter.com/H0dcxCezmI
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) May 4, 2025
So when these three players start making headlines this season, remember we gave you the heads-up.
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