LAS VEGAS (Related Press) — A’ja Wilson adopted up a historic season with one other unbelievable one to earn AP Participant of the Yr for the second straight time.
The Las Vegas Aces star topped Napheesa Collier of Minnesota and Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix, who each had terrific seasons.
“She’s put in the work and she passes all the tests — the math tests, the optics tests — she’s the most exciting player in the W,” Aces coach Becky Hammon informed The Related Press. “And here’s the thing, she’s also the most exciting player on the defensive end. She will do something once a game defensively that’s going to get you out of your seat. She’s the only player in this league that I’ve seen that has defensive highlights on a consistent basis.”
Wilson was additionally honored because the AP Defensive Participant of the Yr for the third time in 4 seasons.
“Considering coach (Dawn) Staley was so hard on me about my defense in college, I’m glad I can have some success at the pro level multiple times,” Wilson informed the AP.
The WNBA will announce its postseason awards over the course of the playoffs, which start Sunday. Wilson is a big favourite to win the WNBA MVP for the second straight season. Her odds at BetMGM Sportsbook to repeat dropped during the last week together with her going from +650 to -350 on Thursday.
The AP voting is finished by a 14-member nationwide media panel that votes on the facility ballot every week. It is the tenth 12 months of the awards.
Wilson as soon as once more led the league in scoring (23.4) in addition to blocked photographs (2.3).
Paige Bueckers was honored because the AP Rookie of the Yr. The Dallas Wings’ No. 1 decide averaged 19.2 factors and 5.4 assists in her first season. She additionally had a 44-point effort — the very best scoring recreation of anybody within the WNBA this season. The previous UConn star completed with the third most factors ever by a rookie and second most assists.
“I am very grateful for everyone who voted and saw me fit for Rookie of the Year,” Bueckers mentioned. “I have always felt like individual awards are a way to acknowledge the team around you and that is exactly what this award means to me. My teammates, coaches, support staff and everyone from top to bottom in the entire Dallas Wings organization played a huge part in this.”
Bueckers was joined on the AP All-Rookie workforce by Washington’s Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, Connecticut’s Leila Lacan, Golden State’s Janelle Salaun and Seattle’s Dominique Malonga.
“Shoutout to this amazing rookie class,” Bueckers mentioned. “There were a lot of unique journeys and a whole lot of hooping so we definitely put on for the class.”
Wilson, Collier and Thomas headlined the AP All-WNBA first workforce. The trio had been unanimous picks. They had been joined by Atlanta’s Allisha Grey and Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell.
New York’s Sabrina Ionescu, Bueckers, Seattle’s Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum and Las Vegas’ Jackie Younger had been on the second workforce.
Different AP winners included:
— Coach of the Yr: Natalie Nakase. She led Golden State to a playoff berth within the growth workforce’s inaugural season. It is the primary time {that a} first-year workforce made the postseason.
— Comeback Participant of the Yr: Shakira Austin. The Washington Mystics ahead missed most of final season with a hip damage and subsequent ankle sprain. Austin averaged 12.7 factors and 6.4 rebounds this season.
— Most Improved Participant: Veronica Burton. The Golden State Valkyries guard made essentially the most of her alternative with the growth franchise. Burton averaged profession highs in factors (11.9), assists (6.0), rebounds (4.4) and minutes (29.4).
— Sixth Girl of the Yr: Naz Hillmon. The Atlanta Dream ahead had a profession season, averaging 8.6 factors and 6.2 rebounds to assist the Dream safe the third seed within the postseason. She got here off the bench in 27 of the workforce’s 44 video games and has performed in 151 consecutive contests total.
AP WNBA Energy Ballot
Las Vegas, using a 16-game successful streak, completed atop the facility ballot, with Minnesota second. Atlanta and New York had been third and fourth, respectively. They had been adopted by Phoenix, Indiana, Seattle, Golden State and Los Angeles. Connecticut, Washington, Dallas and Chicago completed off the ballot.
