With the 2024 WNBA season underway, there are more eyes on women’s hoops than ever before. With an abundance of different storylines heading into this season, the 2024 campaign will shape this era of women’s basketball.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!As A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces look to capitalize on their third straight championship, the rest of the association looks to put a halt to Las Vegas’ dominance. The league has also been introduced to a fresh crop of young talent from the draft, led by arguably the most polarizing name in women’s basketball right now, Caitlin Clark.
The intrigue surrounding the WNBA is at an all-time high, and as the sport continues to evolve, the race for individual awards will be as stacked as it’s ever been. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the front-runners that are primed to be in contention for various awards.
WNBA Most Valuable Player
© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Last season saw one of the closest MVP races in the WNBA’s history, as Breanna Stewart narrowly edged out Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson to win the award. Despite not receiving the most first-place or second-place votes, Stewart received enough points through all of her combined votes, allowing her to take home her second MVP award.
Going into her eighth season as a pro, Stewart remains a threat to win the award, but sits right behind Wilson in FanDuel Sportsbook’s MVP odds. Many believe Wilson was robbed of her third MVP award last season, but the window to accomplish that feat certainly has not closed. Wilson was hurt when she didn’t bring home the trophy last season, and the motivation going into this season is certainly there.
Diamonds are an M'VP's best friend ????????@_ajawilson22 // @Jostens #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/UUpZ6wN69d
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) May 15, 2024
“It hurt like hell, it really did,” said Wilson, per Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press. “But it’s all part of the game.”
With Wilson and Stewart both in the middle of their primes, expect them to lead the race once again. However, with Wilson riding high into this season with loads of momentum on her side, the reigning finals MVP should realistically be able to collect even more hardware. In the 2024 WNBA GM Survey, Wilson was voted the favorite to win MVP, with 67% of voters giving her the nod. The 6-foot-4 center has gotten off to a hot start already, scoring 30 points in Las Vegas’ season opener against the Mercury while collecting 13 rebounds and dishing out five assists. Alyssa Thomas slotted in at second in the GM survey, with Stewart following at third.
However, with the Minnesota Lynx continuing on their upward trajectory, don’t be surprised if forward Napheesa Collier finds her name in this conversation.
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
© Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Not only has Wilson been a perennial MVP candidate, but the 6-foot-4 forward has proven herself to be a specimen on the defensive end, taking home the last two defensive player of the year awards. However, no player has ever won three DPOY awards in a row, which in itself stacks the odds against Wilson.
An interesting name to keep an eye on is Seattle center Ezi Magbegor. Last season marked her fourth season as a pro, where she was named to the All-Defensive Second Team with 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per contest. Magbegor’s 1.9 blocks was not only good for second in the WNBA, but in Seattle’s history as a franchise.
“It’s just being a rim protector and wanting to help my teammates as well. Depending on if I’m down low, it’s just being there if they need help. I think that’s my mindset going in,” Magbegor said last season regarding her defense, according to ClutchPoints. “Obviously I think defensively there’s still areas where I can get better. One-on-one defense, post defense, being a little more proactive than reactive in some cases.”
For the first time this season… EZI EZI EZI ????️????️????️ pic.twitter.com/PObDWLF6Aa
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 15, 2024
Seattle lost its season opener to Minnesota, but Magbegor was surely a standout, tallying three blocks and being a consistent force on the interior.
Despite an underwhelming 11-29 campaign for Seattle in 2023, the additions of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike should help propel the Storm to the top of the association. With Magbegor continuing to get better every season, one would expect that linear improvement to continue into this season. Expect Magbegor to be the defensive anchor that leads the charge for Seattle.
WNBA Rookie of the Year
© David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
In what is the most anticipated rookie class in WNBA history, there’s one clear favorite that stands among the rest. All eyes are on first overall pick Caitlin Clark, who’s set to take charge as a leader in Indiana right away. A franchise that has been in rebuild mode for the better part of two seasons, Clark is ready to step in and right the ship for the Fever.
Clark’s WNBA debut was nowhere near perfect. Facing off against the Sun, Clark tallied 20 points but shot a mere 33% (5-15) from the field and turned the ball over 10 times. Despite early struggles, Clark has ample time to get acclimated to the pace and physicality of the WNBA.
"This is something I've dreamed of since I was a young girl…I'm so lucky I get to do this as my job."
Caitlin Clark scored 20 points (4 3PM) in her @WNBA debut last night at Connecticut. pic.twitter.com/WW2il5hMxn
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 15, 2024
“It’s kind of like when you go from kindergarten to first grade, there’s a learning adjustment,” said WNBA all-time leading scorer and Mercury guard Diana Taurasi. “When you go from high school to college, there’s a learning adjustment…Like anything – greatness is going to translate, and she’s proven that at every level – and I don’t see that being any different in the WNBA.”
Clark will form a dynamic duo with last season’s ROTY, Aliyah Boston. Alongside a high-level big that’s only getting better, Clark gets a partner to work with in the pick-and-roll right away – forming a combination that will be a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses for years to come.
In the 2024 WNBA GM Survey, 50% of voters voted Clark as the player they’d choose to build their franchise around, while 92% of voters voted Clark to win the 2024 ROTY award.
The former Hawkeye was an offensive juggernaut in college, and is now in a perfect situation to put her skills to use right away. Clark is no stranger to winning awards, and will look to add another trophy to the shelf in the form of the ROTY.
WNBA Most Improved Player
The Most Improved Player award is arguably the hardest to predict. There are a handful of players who can take the jump into stardom, but one of the more interesting candidates comes in the form of Karlie Samuelson. The 6-foot guard bounced around the league in her first five seasons, playing in Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle and Phoenix. Now, Samuelson will play for her fifth team, this time as a Washington Mystic.
Karlie Samuelson talked about building off her 2023 season pic.twitter.com/83ZY0VDQp1
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) April 29, 2024
The California native is a stout defender who improved offensively last season, but most importantly, showcased her added poise and feel for the game. Samuelson won the EuroCup Finals MVP with the London Lions in October, which could be an indicator of sustained development that could carry into this season.
In Washington’s season opener against New York, Samuelson tallied just seven points, but played 27 minutes and shot 22% (2-9) from the field. Albeit a rough performance, Samuelson is a player to watch for this season’s MIP award with loads of opportunity in Washington.
WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year
© David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Samuelson isn’t the only Mystic that could be in consideration for an award this season, as Myisha Hines-Allen could put together a compelling case for the Sixth Woman of the Year award. Hines-Allen is a well-renowned scorer in the association, where she peaked at 17 points per game in 2020. The former All-WNBA second-teamer is going into her seventh season in Washington, and is slowly beginning to settle down into a bench role. After a rough 2023 season, Hines-Allen could jump her way into award talks if she can remain consistent and efficient as a scorer throughout the season.
Another notable option could be Connecticut’s Rachel Banham. The 30-year-old guard is headed into her eighth season as a pro, and scored 10 points in the Sun’s season opener on 42% (3-7) from three-point land. Banham will have full range to operate from beyond the arc, and should be a high-level volume shooter in her new situation in Connecticut.
WNBA Coach of the Year
© Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, Connecticut’s Stephane White took home Coach of the Year honors. However, there has yet to be a back-to-back coach of the year winner since the league’s inception, where Van Chancellor took home three-straight COTY awards from 1997 to 1999. Although White remains one of the league’s premier coaches, history shows that the odds are not in her favor.
While Becky Hammon and Sandy Brondello are also two of the league’s best, how much will voters hold each of their respective ‘superteams’ against them?
With the additions that the Storm made this off-season, Seattle looks primed to be one of the league’s most improved teams. Head coach Noelle Quinn will reap the benefits of this, potentially with some hardware to go along with it, as Seattle looks to make a jump back to its glory days.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
