As the WNBA season continues, some of the league’s players have had great seasons. The season is a bit past the midway point, and the award races are getting good. Here are a few predictions of the winners of the WNBA awards.
Most Valuable Player: Elena Delle Donne
A few weeks ago, WOW Sports did an MVP Power Ranking. The player in first place was none other than Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne.
Delle Donne averages 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. She is in the top-five for categories such as points per game, rebounds per game, efficiency and 3-point percentage. She ranks second, fifth, first and fourth respectively. Even in blocks, Delle Donne is right outside the top-five. She ranks seventh and is extremely close to Liz Cambage and Elizabeth Williams, who are fifth and sixth with 1.6 blocks each. Delle Donne ranks in several categories and could move up the rankings in some of them. She has time to do so.
Delle Donne and the Mystics are playing well this season. They are second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-7. If they continue to play well, they not only have a chance to contend, but Delle Donne arguably becomes the favorite for MVP. So, Delle Donne has a good chance.
Rookie of the Year: Napheesa Collier
The Rookie of the Year should go to former UConn forward Napheesa Collier. Collier was the sixth pick of the 2019 WNBA draft. The Minnesota Lynx drafted the four-year player who averaged 20.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in her senior year. Now she is making an impact in the WNBA.
In her rookie season, Collier averages 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals. On Tuesday, Collier had a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Collier has played well and has a case for this year’s Rookie of the Year. If she keeps up her level of play, the Rookie of the Year should be coming her way.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jonquel Jones
The Defensive Player of the Year should go to Jonquel Jones of the Connecticut Sun.
Jones is a 6-foot-6 forward/center who is an exceptional defensive player. This season Jones averages 15.8 points. But it is not her scoring that is putting the league on notice. It is her defense that is most effective.
This season, Jones averages 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals. She also averages 10.4 rebounds with most of them being on the defensive end. She averages 7.1 defensive rebounds compared to 3.3 rebounds on the offensive end.
Jones ranks first in total rebounds and blocks. She also ranks seventh in points as the Sun are first in the Eastern Conference (and league) with a record of 16-6. Jones will remain a threat on the defensive end.
Most Improved Player: Dearica Hamby
Dearica Hamby is a forward for the Las Vegas Aces. She averages a career-high 10.6 points and seven rebounds. These stats are a jump from her average of 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds last season. Her stats have improved in nearly every category. She has improved in assists, steals and blocks. This is an impressive accomplishment for any player.
Ironically, Hamby also has a good chance at Sixth Woman of the Year. She has played in 23 games and started in five. Her role change came as the Aces are waiting for A’ja Wilson’s return. Hamby has stepped up and filled that void, at least partially. Regardless of her role, Hamby has a good chance at winning either Most Improved Player or Sixth Woman of the Year. Or, she could get both. Either way, she will win at least one of them.
Coach of the Year: Curt Miller
The Coach of the Year can go different ways. Several teams are playing well, and their coach is a big part of it. However, this year’s Coach of the Year could go to Curt Miller of the Connecticut Sun.
Miller is no stranger to Coach of the Year, as he won the award in 2017. He won after leading his team to a 21-13 season. This was a turnaround from his first season when the Sun finished 14-20. This season, the Sun are 16-6. They are also on a seven-game winning streak. The Sun are playing well, and Miller is a part of their success.
The Season Continues
The regular season continues as the playoffs begin next month. If these players keep playing well (and Miller and the Sun keep winning), these candidates should win their respective awards.