And the early season WNBA awards go to…
A’ja Wilson is the only player who ranks in the top 3 in points, rebounds and blocks per game.
PHOTO: David Becker/NBA Photos, via Las Vegas Aces
By W.G. RAMIREZ
We're well past the quarter-pole of the season, so let's spark some conversation toward the postseason awards with the top individual honors after Monday's games, shall we?
No preamble, let’s get to it:
MVP: A'ja Wilson - Las Vegas is having a rough go of it without Chelsea Gray, it's been proven that Wilson can't win games on her own with a much-improved league caught up with the Aces, but she's still the most dominating player in the world. Wilson is the only player who ranks in the top 3 in points, rebounds and blocks per game. NEXT UP: Napheesa Collier. RIGHT THERE: Alyssa Thomas. SNUBBED: Kahleah Copper.
Defensive Player of the Year: Ezi Magbegor - Seattle coach Noelle Quinn recently said she's going to keep speaking Magbegor's name into DPOY existence. I don't think she needs to, as her numbers speak volumes. Magbegor leads the league with 2.8 blocks per game, and among those who have played a minimum of 10 games, she ranks sixth in the league in defensive rating. NEXT UP: A'ja Wilson. RIGHT THERE: Brionna Jones. SNUBBED: Cameron Brink.
Rookie of the Year: Angel Reese - The Chicago Sky rookie is averaging a double-double after Sunday's loss to the Indiana Fever, with 12.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. At the other end, among all rookies who have played at least 10 games, she ranks third in the league in defensive rating. NEXT UP: Cameron Brink. RIGHT THERE: Caitlin Clark. SNUBBED: Rickea Jackson.
Most Improved Player: Dearica Hamby - The Los Angeles Sparks veteran is averaging career highs in nearly every category, including a double-double with 19.0 points (7th in the WNBA) and 11.1 rebounds per game (3rd). Among players who have played at least 10 games, she ranks 13th in field-goal percentage (51.8%) and 1st with 9.4 defensive rebounds per game. NEXT UP: DiJonai Carrington. RIGHT THERE: Maddy Siegrist. SNUBBED: Kayla McBride.
Sixth Player of the Year: Chennedy Carter - There isn't another reserve in the league averaging double digits other than Carter, who is scoring 12.9 points per game. Among reserves, she's also dishing a league fourth-best 2.3 assists and grabbing a W sixth-best 2.9 rebounds per game. She's also one of just 14 reserves with a plus in the plus-minus category. NEXT UP: Aerial Powers RIGHT THERE: Sophie Cunningham. SNUBBED: Aari McDonald.
Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve - Hard to argue against this pick, when everyone expected the teams in front of the Minnesota Lynx to be top-tier. Reeve has done a fantastic job both on and off the court, as her players credit her for getting inside their heads to better understand them, and then blend their personalities. She credits her players with making her job easier because she doesn't have to coach chemistry. Whatever the case, she leads the pack of 12 coaches right now. NEXT UP: Noelle Quinn. RIGHT THERE: Stephanie White SNUBBED: Nate Tibbetts
