There are some no-brainer picks on the subject of the All-WNBA group, an honor bestowed upon the league’s ten greatest gamers and voted on by members of the media. A’ja Wilson, who’s having the very best season of her profession, is one. Napheesa Collier is one other. Caitlin Clark, the rookie phenom, has put herself into the dialog after an unbelievable second half to the season. Second Crew was just a little bit more durable to choose — so many nice gamers, so many placing up massive numbers — with solely 5 spots.
Right here’s who I chosen:
All-WNBA First Crew
- A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
- Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
- Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
- Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
- Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Solar
The primary group was comparatively simple, and it contains the very best participant on 5 of the highest six groups within the league (sorry, Seattle Storm).
A’ja Wilson is the MVP frontrunner, and Napheesa Collier is having an MVP-caliber season by any metric. Breanna Stewart has been greater than strong and is the very best participant on the very best group within the league, whereas Alyssa Thomas has anchored the Connecticut Solar and has truly been extra environment friendly this 12 months than final 12 months. Wilson, Collier, Stewart, and Thomas all return to the All-WNBA First Crew for the second consecutive 12 months.
Caitlin Clark is a brand new addition, however her play post-Olympic break makes her tough to maintain off the checklist. She’s been the Indiana Fever’s most impactful participant, and has distributed the ball in a degree we’ve by no means seen earlier than within the WNBA.
All-WNBA Second Crew
- Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
- Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever
- Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm
- Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
- Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty
Issues obtained tough on the subject of the All-WNBA Second Crew. There are many gamers having nice particular person seasons, so I took into consideration group success as effectively.
Kahleah Copper will get the nod because the league’s third-leading scorer and the Mercury’s most constant participant this season.
Kelsey Mitchell is the league’s seventh main scorer, and has been the second-leading scorer for the reason that Olympic break. She’s additionally been the second most impactful participant on the Fever, and is averaging 24.8 factors on 50.2% taking pictures for the reason that break.
Nneka Ogwumike has been the Storm’s most dependable participant, and because the #5 seed, it’s solely truthful that Seattle is represented within the All-WNBA Crew. Averaging 16.7 factors per sport, she’s additionally been very environment friendly, taking pictures 50.9% from the sphere and 39.4% from three.
Together with Sabrina Ionescu on the All-WNBA group over Kayla McBride was most likely probably the most tough resolution to make— Ionescu is taking pictures simply 39.8% on the season, and the Liberty have two different gamers who, in totality, have had higher years. Nonetheless, her playmaking and defensive enhancements warrant her inclusion on All-WNBA.
Jonquel Jones has been vital to the Liberty’s protection, and she or he’s additionally been environment friendly offensively, averaging 14.4 factors on 53.8% taking pictures. Stewart couldn’t do what she does defensively if it weren’t for Jones defending the rim as she does.
Honorable Mentions
- Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx
- Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks
- Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle Storm
- Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
- Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
- Brionna Jones, Connecticut Solar
Dearica Hamby has had a terrific particular person season, however not nice sufficient to warrant inclusion on the All-WNBA Crew contemplating her Sparks completed with the league’s worst document.
Skylar Diggins-Smith has the fourth-most assists per sport (6.4) and can be a High 20 scorer, and a case could possibly be made for her being probably the most impactful Storm participant for the reason that Olympics. However, it’s not sufficient to beat her sluggish begin to the 12 months and put her on All-WNBA.
Brittney Griner’s environment friendly 18 factors per sport may have put her in consideration for All-WNBA, however the Mercury’s slide to the #7 seed doesn’t assist her case.
For the Aces, each Kelsey Plum and Jackie Younger warrant consideration, however neither have been constant sufficient to oust one of many different Second Crew All-WNBA gamers.
The Lynx have been the very best group within the league for the reason that break and end the 12 months at #2 general, and McBride has been the second-best participant on the group. If she hadn’t skilled a statistical drop-off within the second half of the season, she’d be a robust candidate.
If the Solar had a second All-WNBA participant, it’d be Brionna Jones, who has been impactful on each ends and has been notably dominant of late.
Arike Ogunbowale has been the league’s second-leading scorer this season, however the Dallas Wings missed the playoffs and she or he’s shot simply 38.3% from the sphere. Jewell Loyd has additionally been too inefficient (averaging 19.7 factors on 36% taking pictures). Chennedy Carter has been very environment friendly (17.5 factors, 48.7% taking pictures) and would most likely warrant consideration on this checklist if the Sky had a greater general season.
