A’ja Wilson named Player of the Year for the second consecutive time
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has been awarded the AP Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, solidifying her dominance in the league. Wilson surpassed Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier and Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas, who also had outstanding seasons.Wilson was also recognized as the AP Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four seasons.“She has worked hard and overcomes all tests, both mathematical and visual. She is the most exciting player in the W. And most importantly, she is also the most exciting player on defense. She will do something once per game that will make you jump out of your seat. She is the only player in this league that I have seen consistently have outstanding defensive plays”, commented Aces coach Becky Hammon.
Becky Hammon, Aces Coach
The WNBA will announce its postseason awards during the playoffs, which begin on Sunday. Wilson is the heavy favorite to win the WNBA MVP for the second consecutive season. The AP voting is conducted by a panel of 14 national media members who vote in the power poll each week. This is the tenth year of the awards. Wilson led the league in scoring (23.4) and blocks (2.3).“Considering that coach [Dawn] Staley was very hard on me in my college days on defense, I am glad to be able to succeed professionally several times,” Wilson stated.
A’ja Wilson
Paige Bueckers, Rookie of the Year
Paige Bueckers was honored as the AP Rookie of the Year. The No. 1 pick of the Dallas Wings averaged 19.2 points and 5.4 assists in her first season. She also achieved a 44-point performance, the highest point record of any player in the WNBA this season. The former UConn star finished with the third-most points by a rookie and the second-most assists.Bueckers was joined on the AP All-Rookie team by Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen of Washington, Leila Lacan of Connecticut, Janelle Salaun of Golden State, and Dominique Malonga of Seattle.“I am very grateful for everyone who voted and saw me fit to be the Rookie of the Year. I have always felt that individual awards are a way of recognizing the team around you and that is exactly what this award means to me. My teammates, coaches, support staff, and everyone in the Dallas Wings organization played a very important role in this,” said Bueckers.
Paige Bueckers
“Shoutout to this incredible freshman class. There were a lot of unique trips and a lot of basketball, so we definitely represent the class,” Bueckers added.
Paige Bueckers
Other AP Awards
Wilson, Collier, and Thomas headlined the AP’s first All-WNBA team. The trio was unanimously chosen. They were joined by Atlanta’s Allisha Gray and Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell. Sabrina Ionescu from New York, Bueckers, Nneka Ogwumike from Seattle, Kelsey Plum from Los Angeles, and Jackie Young from Las Vegas were on the second team.- Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase. She led Golden State to a playoff spot in the expansion team’s inaugural season. It’s the first time a first-year team has made the postseason.
- Most Improved Player of the Year: Shakira Austin. The Washington Mystics forward missed most of last season with a hip injury and a subsequent ankle sprain. Austin averaged 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds this season.
- Most Improved Player: Veronica Burton. The Golden State Valkyries guard made the most of her opportunity with the expansion franchise. Burton averaged career highs in points (11.9), assists (6.0), rebounds (4.4), and minutes (29.4).
- Sixth Woman of the Year: Naz Hillmon. The Atlanta Dream forward had a career season, averaging 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds to help the Dream secure the third playoff spot. She came off the bench in 27 of the team’s 44 games and has played in 151 consecutive games overall.
