DeWanna Bonner’s career in basketball started at Auburn University, where she set the Tigers’ all-time scoring and stealing records, winning the SEC All-Freshman Team for the 2005-06 season, averaging 13.5 points per game. In 2009, she was named SEC Player of the Year as well as a finalist for National Player of the Year.
In the course of more than a decade, Bonner became a two‑time WNBA champion (2009, 2014) and a six‑time WNBA All‑Star, solidifying her position as one of the most well‑rounded forward players in the league.
Her professional career has also included time abroad during WNBA off seasons, where she excelled in Spain (Baloncesto Rivas and CB Avenida), the Czech Republic (BK Brno), and Russia (Nadezhda Orenburg), and continued to develop on the court and as a leader internationally.
Veteran DeWanna Bonner Moves Into Third All‑Time on the WNBA Scoring List
It was a moment wrapped in anticipation and suspense on May 17 at the sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Bonner was at the free-throw line with 3:10 left in the Indiana Fever’s season-opening blowout of the Chicago Sky, just two points from a historic milestone.
Entering Thursday’s game with 7,482 career points, Bonner required seven to pass former basketball star Tina Thompson (7,488) for third place. Following her fifth point on a midrange jumper, the arena fell into a hush, watching Bonner make her history on the hardboard.
The silence immediately turned to a thunderous roar with two free throws at about the 3:10 mark, formally crediting her with 7,489 career points.
third all-time leading scorer in WNBA history 🤩
congratulations to DeWanna Bonner on passing Tina Thompson for No. 3 on the all-time scoring list with 7,489 points and counting 🔥#NowYouKnow pic.twitter.com/LlXSXspEoI
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever)
The entire arena rose to its feet to give a standing ovation to the star, who not only made history that night but also ensured that her storied legacy would live on, echoing in every generation.
CBS Sports reported Bonner reflecting during the post-game, acknowledging both the milestone and the weight of her achievement.
“I think I’m just grateful. Most people don’t get up there,” Bonner said. “That’s really hard to do. It’s really hard to be in that position and to be in the league this long.”
The veteran star continued, “You’ve seen all the cuts that happened this week with great talented players, so just to be in that position to get there was just, I don’t know, I’m just grateful. I just try to soak in the moment.”
While the record books now list Bonner behind only Diana Taurasi (10,646 points) and Tina Charles (7,719 points), her true value lies in the intangibles she brings to every locker room.
Bonner’s transition to the Indiana Fever came on February 2, 2025, when she signed a one‑year deal, bringing veteran savvy to a young franchise eager for veteran guidance. Since joining the Fever, Bonner has been instrumental in shaping the team’s toughness, discipline, and a championship mindset.
Fever’s rookie guard Caitlin Clark, who made her third career triple‑double during the season opener against the Sky, hailed Bonner as a “legend” and emphasized the latter’s importance.
“DB is somebody that is a Hall of Famer, a legend. Not only a good basketball player — a great person, a great leader. The strongest voice in our locker room is hers,” Clark said.
What’s Next for Bonner and the Fever?
Bonner’s career has spanned championships, international stints, and mentoring roles. In Indianapolis, she brings veteran leadership to a young roster, aiming not only for personal milestones but also to guide the Fever back to playoff contention.
Indiana’s next game is scheduled against the Atlanta Dream on May 20 at 7 p.m. ET in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. As the 2025 campaign unfolds, Bonner’s blend of scoring, defense, and mentorship could define the Fever’s identity.
If this season opener was any indication, the Indiana Fever—and WNBA fans everywhere—are witnessing the defining chapter in a storied career.