After an exciting draft in April, followed by an even more thrilling season, the 27th year of the WNBA has outdone itself. Furthermore, the players have shown amazing growth and grit in the past 5 months. To congratulate them on their hard work, players receive accolades to reward them for their hard work.
MVP: A’ja Wilson
A unanimous decision, A’ja Wilson has shown how skilled she is, both on offense and defense. She was the first player to score 1,000 points in a season, surpassing Jewel Lloyd’s previous record of 939 points. In addition to scoring, she recorded 451 rebounds and 98 blocks. Her work ethic and leadership also set her apart, allowing her to lead the Aces to the fourth seed at the end of the regular season.
Rookie of the Year: Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark has helped draw many new fans to the WNBA and she certainly put on a show. Averaging 19.5 points per game and leading the league with 8.4 assists per game, Clark shut down claims that her astounding run in college would end while playing in the WNBA. The guard also helped Indiana make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Defensive Player of the Year: Napheesa Collier
I didn’t know much about Napheesa Collier before the Olympics, but just watching her play in the postseason has proved why she was given this award. She is often able to force jump balls and get steals, and then follow up with a shot on the offensive end. Her defense in Game 1 of the Finals kept Breanna Stewart (arguably one of the best basketball players) in check, blocking her four times. Collier averaged 1.91 steals per game, putting her in second place behind Arike Ogunbowale.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Dijonai Carrington
Despite being a second-round pick, Dijonai Carrington has gone all out this season, recording career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Her tenacity on the court has helped the Connecticut Sun in their playoff run, however, they were eliminated by the Lynx in the semis.
All-WNBA First Team: A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, and Alyssa Thomas Both Wilson and Collier were unanimously voted in, with many saying Napheesa could rival Aj’a’s dominance on the court in the coming years. Both women have had outstanding seasons. This year will be Stewart’s sixth time on the First Team and Thomas’ second. Finally, Clark is the first rookie since Candance Parker’s notable season in 2008 to be named to the First Team. Overall, these players have shown perseverance and aggression on the court, allowing them to play their best.