The WNBA season started simply over three weeks in the past. Some groups have performed solely seven of their 44 regular-season video games.
However it’s by no means too early to take inventory of the candidates for MVP, Rookie of the 12 months, Coach of the 12 months and several other different end-of-season honors.
Lots is at stake in these races. May A’ja Wilson win a league-record fourth MVP award and second straight? Will Napheesa Collier snag her first? Is No. 1 choose Paige Bueckers on observe to be Rookie of the 12 months, or will Washington Mystics rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron play spoiler?
The Most Improved Participant and Sixth Participant of the 12 months debates are very fluid this early within the season. Does Coach of the 12 months go to the coaches of the dominant New York Liberty or Minnesota Lynx, or maybe one of many eight coaches within the league who’ve been of their present positions for not less than two years?
ESPN’s panel voted on the six main awards. We will probably be updating this tracker all through the season as front-runners and challenges change.
Soar to:
MVP | Rookie of 12 months | Defensive Participant of 12 months
Most Improved | Sixth Participant | Coach of 12 months
MVP
Kendra Andrews: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Kevin Pelton: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Alexa Philippou: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Michael Voepel: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
ESPN’s front-runner: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Previously 12 months, Collier helped the Lynx win the Commissioner’s Cup ultimate, earned her second Olympic gold medal, was WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months, performed in her first WNBA Finals and co-founded a 3-on-3 professional league.
Now, the 6-foot-1 ahead for the undefeated Lynx (the Liberty are additionally unbeaten) is on observe to win her first WNBA MVP. She leads the league in scoring common (25.5) and is tied for fifth in rebounding (8.9), tied for first in steals (2.3) and tied for seventh in blocks (1.4).
Collier, 28, additionally averages 3.5 assists and shoots 52.5% general and 90.7% from the free throw line. All these are profession bests, as are her scoring and steals averages.
It is early, however proper now @PHEEsespieces is main the @WNBA MVP dialog. Why? See graphic beneath. (For context: no participant has ever led the league in scoring with a 50-40-90 effectivity 7 video games into the season.) Analysis: @jlacroix14 Graphic: @juliana_sherry pic.twitter.com/zMTAygyRww
— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) June 5, 2025
Final season, Collier completed second in MVP voting behind A’ja Wilson. Regardless that Wilson was a unanimous alternative, Collier was second on all however one poll. That momentum has carried over into 2025 as she has turn into the favourite.
High challenger: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
In 2024, Wilson joined Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes as the one three-time MVPs in WNBA historical past. She may need set the bar too excessive for herself to win a report fourth MVP.
Final season, Wilson completed with profession bests in factors (a WNBA single-season report 26.9), rebounds (11.9) and blocks (2.6). After successful two WNBA titles in a row, the Aces misplaced to eventual champion New York within the semifinals.
This season, Las Vegas has had an up-and-down begin at 4-3. However Wilson is averaging 22.0 factors and 9.9 rebounds, whereas additionally having profession highs in assists (3.9) and steals (2.0). — Voepel
Rookie of the 12 months
Andrews: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
Pelton: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
Philippou: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
Voepel: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
ESPN’s front-runner: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
The No. 4 choose in April’s draft has began quick as a professional, capturing a better share (51%) than she did as a senior at USC (50%). Per GeniusIQ monitoring, Iriafen leads the WNBA in photographs made and tried within the restricted space across the basket. Lots of these have come off second probabilities. Iriafen is near averaging a double-double (14.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg), one thing simply three true rookies in league historical past have performed: Tina Charles, Cheryl Ford and Angel Reese.
Regardless of scoring and rebounding numbers, Iriafen hasn’t made a lot influence as a passer (0.9 APG) or with blocks or steals (a mixed 5 this season). However Iriafen’s environment friendly scoring and domination on the glass nonetheless make her the highest rookie.
High challengers: Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics; Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Iriafen’s hardest competitors has been her teammate. Citron, the No. 3 choose, is averaging 14.0 factors whereas capturing 48.9% general, 40.5% from 3-point vary and 89.3% from the free throw line. No. 1 choose Bueckers would possibly make a push for the award as soon as she’s again within the lineup after lacking three video games due to a concussion and one other due to sickness. Bueckers was at 14.7 factors and 6.7 assists earlier than the damage. Solely Caitlin Clark and Skylar Diggins have averaged greater than 10 factors and 6 assists as rookies. The 4 video games Bueckers has missed symbolize 40% of the workforce’s schedule, however they will be lower than 10% by season’s finish. — Pelton
Defensive Participant of the 12 months
Andrews: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Pelton: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Philippou: Natasha Cloud, New York Liberty
Voepel: Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty
ESPN’s front-runner: Natasha Cloud, New York Liberty
The Liberty’s protection has been higher this season (league-best defensive ranking of 88.6 factors allowed per 100 possessions) than within the workforce’s championship run final 12 months (95.3), a outstanding feat contemplating New York misplaced two of its hardest defenders in Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee damage) and Kayla Thornton (growth draft) within the offseason.
Cloud, a three-time all-defensive workforce choice at level guard whom the Liberty acquired for 2 first-round picks, has lengthy been lauded for her protection. In eight video games this season, her perimeter protection and infectious tenacity have made the Liberty much more potent. New York’s defensive ranking is 11.1 factors per 100 possessions higher along with her on the court docket (83.8) than off it (94.9). Frontcourt gamers have dominated the DPOY award lately, however will Cloud buck the development?
High challengers: Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty; Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx; A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
It is not surprising that a number of Liberty gamers earned consideration. Jones, the 2024 Finals MVP and a four-time all-defensive workforce choice, has helped anchor New York’s top-ranked protection. Collier, the reigning DPOY, does all of it for the Lynx. And Wilson, a two-time DPOY, continues to face out even because the Aces, whose defensive ranking ranks eighth within the league, have struggled. — Philippou
Most Improved Participant
Andrews: Allisha Grey, Atlanta Dream
Pelton: Allisha Grey, Atlanta Dream
Philippou: Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
Voepel: Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever
ESPN’s front-runner: Allisha Grey, Atlanta Dream
Grey is an Olympic gold medalist, but 9 years into her WNBA profession, she is taking her sport to a brand new degree in coach Karl Smesko’s system. She’s averaging a career-high 20.1 factors (fifth within the WNBA), about 5 greater than final season, and is capturing 48.1% general.
Grey has embraced Smesko’s system, and her perimeter capturing is prospering. She is capturing a career-high 42.9% from past the arc after hitting simply 34.2% of her makes an attempt final season. She’s averaging a career-high 6.6 photographs from 3-point vary.
Along with changing into top-of-the-line scoring threats for Atlanta, Grey is averaging a career-best 4.5 assists and has been integral to the Dream’s success.
High challengers: Natasha Cloud, New York Liberty; Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever; Azura Stevens, Los Angeles Sparks; Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever
Cloud has additionally thrived along with her new workforce, capturing 6% higher (45.9%) general than final season. She leads all guards who’ve performed not less than 25 minutes in web ranking (32.3) and offensive ranking (116.2) and ranks second in defensive ranking (83.8).
Stevens, who’s in her third season with the Sparks, is extra concerned within the offense, trying over two extra photographs per sport than a 12 months in the past. She’s extra environment friendly, too, capturing 51.1% general, an enormous soar from 39.9% in 2024. She’s additionally averaging a career-best 1.7 steals.
The Fever have struggled whereas Caitlin Clark recovers from a quad damage. In Clark’s absence, Boston is averaging over 5 assists, an enormous leap from her 3.8 season common and almost double what she averaged final season. In a career-high 29.5 minutes this season, Hull is averaging profession bests in factors (10.5, almost double from 2024), rebounds (4.3) and discipline purpose share (53.2%, up from 44.1% in 2024). — Andrews
Sixth Participant of the 12 months
Andrews: Kennedy Burke, New York Liberty
Pelton: Kennedy Burke, New York Liberty
Philippou: Jessica Shepard, Minnesota Lynx
Voepel: Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx
ESPN’s front-runner: Kennedy Burke, New York Liberty
Regardless of dropping prime playoff reserves Kayla Thornton and Courtney Vandersloot, each of whom claimed beginning jobs elsewhere, the Liberty’s bench nonetheless ranks third in scoring and tops in discipline purpose and 3-point percentages. Burke’s manufacturing has been key. She’s averaging a career-high 9.3 factors and has shot a scorching 16-of-27 (59%) from past the arc.
Past the offensive manufacturing, Burke has stepped into Thornton’s function because the workforce’s stopper off the bench, guarding a number of positions. These contributions determine to final even when Burke’s 3-point capturing regresses to her profession 35% accuracy.
High challengers: Natisha Heideman, Minnesota Lynx; Jessica Shepard, Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx have shrugged off dropping Cecilia Zandalasini to the growth draft and Dorka Juhasz’s choice to sit down out the season. Shepard has changed Juhasz as Minnesota’s backup middle, enjoying almost as many minutes as starter Alanna Smith whereas capturing 58% general and rating second to Collier with 7.1 rebounds. In her second 12 months with the Lynx, Heideman has seen extra minutes and is averaging 8.8 factors — greater than she averaged as a full-time starter with the Connecticut Solar in 2023.
In contrast to key Seattle Storm reserve Erica Wheeler, who may play her method into the beginning lineup, the reserves on Minnesota and New York will probably maintain their roles all through the season due to these groups’ loaded rosters. — Pelton
Coach of the 12 months
Andrews: Sandy Brondello, New York Liberty
Pelton: Sandy Brondello, New York Liberty
Philippou: Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix Mercury
Voepel: Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix Mercury
ESPN’s front-runner: Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix Mercury
Ought to coaches on groups anticipated to play properly be rewarded? Or ought to voters lean towards coaches whose groups are overachieving? Neither alternative is fallacious, however the nod goes to Tibbetts, whose 6-4 Mercury have the second-most wins behind Minnesota and New York. Phoenix is doing this regardless of near-total roster turnover, together with dropping longtime faces of the franchise Diana Taurasi (retirement) and Brittney Griner (left in free company for Atlanta).
Solely two gamers return from final season’s Mercury — main scorer Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack — however neither has performed this 12 months due to accidents. Additionally, Alyssa Thomas (calf) has missed the previous 5 video games in her first season in Phoenix. Nonetheless, Tibbetts and the Mercury have had success, led by Satou Sabally (20.5 ppg) and several other gamers who’re of their first season within the WNBA however have professional expertise abroad.
High challengers: Sandy Brondello, New York Liberty; Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx; Karl Smesko, Atlanta Dream
It is onerous to separate Brondello and Reeve as a result of each of their groups are unbeaten. Reeve has gained this award 4 occasions, together with final season. Brondello gained in 2014 with Phoenix. These two have been entrenched within the WNBA for many of the league’s historical past. Smesko is in his first season after leaving his longtime faculty job at FGCU. He has already had a big effect on the Dream. They have been the lowest-scoring workforce within the WNBA final season, and now they’re third in factors per sport. — Voepel
