Women’s basketball has seen some incredible talent and memorable performances since the sport first appeared in the 1976 Summer Olympic Games. Among these dozens of standout players representing their countries, a select few have had the opportunity to distinguish themselves as the Olympic Games all-time leading scorers.

In women’s Olympic basketball, being a great offensive player is only part of the equation to make it on the all-time list; participation in the Olympic Games is crucial. Not every country qualifies for the Olympics, limiting opportunities for many talented players to showcase their skills on this prestigious stage. Legends like Lauren Jackson of Australia, Janeth Arcain of Brazil, and Chen Nan of China made their marks partly because their countries consistently qualified for the Games. That’s why we say the “opportunity” because every four years; only twelve teams can ever qualify for Olympic Women’s Basketball.  That’s 12 national teams out of 206 countries, or more technically NOCs (National Olympic Committees).

Women’s Olympic Basketball All-Time Leading Scorers

And that’s why you’ll see a lot of the same handful of countries on this list: Australia, Brazil, China, Russia and the United States. Now that we have that out of the way, here are the 25 players on the list of all-time point leaders for Women’s Olympic Basketball.

It’s important to note that even exceptional players from non-qualifying countries, like some of their male counterparts, may never get the chance to compete and leave their legacy in the Olympic basketball history books due to the strict limit of 12 teams in the Olympic basketball tournament.

Lauren Jackson, Australia (575 Points)
Leading the pack is Australian superstar Lauren Jackson, who amassed a remarkable 575 points over her illustrious Olympic career representing Down Under. Known for her versatility at 6-5, Jackson dominated the court with her height, skill, shooting skills, and basketball IQ. Jackson’s ability to score both inside and outside made her a formidable opponent and a consistent scoring threat. She’ll be suiting up once more for the Aussies in 2024 after playing in four Olympics from 2000 to 2012, helping Australia secure three silver medals and one bronze. She’ll easily reach 600 points, likely hit 700 points. And if there’s a deep run, 750-800 career points is not out of reach for the legend.

Janeth Arcain, Brazil (535 Points)
Right behind Jackson is Janeth Arcain. The Brazilian legends ranks second all-time with 535 points. Arcain’s Olympic journey spanned four Summer Games from 1992 to 2004. Known for her agility and sharp mid-range shooting, she played a pivotal role in Brazil’s 1996 silver medal campaign. Arcain’s exceptional performance, competitiveness and leadership on the court made her one of the most respected players in women’s basketball, one of Brazil’s best basketball players of all-time and was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Lisa Leslie, USA (488 Points)
An icon of American basketball, Lisa Leslie has the third most points in Olympic history with 488 points. Leslie is the first American on this list after competing in four consecutive Olympics from 1996 to 2008, all resulting in gold medals. At 6-5, Leslie was a dominant force in the paint, combining her height and athleticism with a polished skill set. Leslie’s scoring ability, shot-blocking, and rebounding made her a cornerstone of the U.S. women’s national team and Hall of Famer.

Diana Taurasi, USA (414 Points)
Diana Taurasi is considered by many as the G.O.A.T. Two of the many reasons why is because she has accumulated 414 points in five Olympics that all ended up with a Gold Medal. Competing in her sixth Olympics that started out in 2004, Taurasi has been a key figure in the USA’s gold medal successes. If the United States can go on another deep run, Taurasi has a chance to overtake Leslie as Team USA’s all-time leading scorer (and more up to third on this list).

Chen Nan – China (317 Points) Chen Nan stands out as China’s leading scorer in Olympic history, the center for China has scored 317 points. That’s good for fourth on this list of superstar Olympians. A dominant presence in the post, Chen played in three Olympic Games from 2004 to 2012. Her size and skill allowed her to excel against top international competition, making her a vital player for China.

Alessandra Santos de Oliveira – Brazil (290 Points)  Another Brazilian star is the 6-5 Alessandra Santos de Oliveira. She scored 290 points in her Olympic career. Known for her physical play and rebounding, she paired with Arcain to be a key contributor to Brazil’s Olympic success in the 1990s and early 2000s; earning a Silver and Bronze medal. Alessandra’s presence in the paint and ability to score made her a critical player for her team.

Yamilé Martínez – Cuba (300 Points) Yamilé Martínez was a standout for Cuba, scoring 300 points during her Olympic appearances. Competing in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, Martínez was known for her defensive skills and ability to score in transition. She was a key player for Cuba, helping her team compete against some of the best in the world. Her 300 points makes Yamilé the sixth highest scorer in Olympic history.

Sheryl Swoopes – USA (284 Points) Another legend of American basketball, tallied 284 points in her Olympic career. Competing in three Olympics from 1996 to 2004, Swoopes was known for her versatility, scoring ability, and defensive prowess. A Hall of Famer as of 2016, Swoope’s ability to shoot from outside and relentlessly attack the rim helped the USA secure three consecutive gold medals, four WNBA championships, making Swoopes one of the most decorated players in Olympic and WNBA history.

Zheng Haixia – China (280 Points) A towering figure in women’s basketball, Zheng Haixia scored 280 points for China; good for top ten all-time. Competing in four Olympic Games from 1984 to 1996, she was known for her incredible size and touch around the basket. As one of the WNBA’s tallest players, Zheng’s presence in the paint was unmatched whenever the 6-8 center stepped on the court. Haixia led China to a silver medal in 1992 and was recently inducted to the Hall of Fame back in 2021.