High Post Hoops’ Top 20 WNBA players, ranked for 2019

WHITE PLAINS, NY - JUNE 26: Tina Charles (31) of the New York Liberty and Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury look on during the game on June 26, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WHITE PLAINS, NY - JUNE 26: Tina Charles (31) of the New York Liberty and Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury look on during the game on June 26, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
3 of 11

19. Jessica Breland

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 4: Jessica Breland #51 of the Atlanta Dream handles the ball against the Washington Mystics during Game Five of the 2018 WNBA Semifinals on September 04, 2018 at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 4: Jessica Breland #51 of the Atlanta Dream handles the ball against the Washington Mystics during Game Five of the 2018 WNBA Semifinals on September 04, 2018 at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

It is easy to overlook Jessica Breland. She doesn’t put up 30 points a night. She’s so quiet that her silence limits the profiles of her in an already-limited WNBA media landscape. She’s playing alongside other outsized personalities, too. But Jessica Breland is extremely valuable, and a critical reason why the Atlanta Dream are title contenders. She is a matchup problem offensively, 6’3 with the ability to face up or post up, and range out to the edge of the three-point arc (and, in the past, beyond it). And defensively, she is a destroyer of sets and fast breaks alike, with a block percentage always among the league leaders, steals in droves, and an ender of possessions on the defensive glass. With where the league is going — positionless, more talented, diversified games from bigs and guards alike — a Breland on defense is vital.