After ranking first in every major statistical category among rookies this season, Dream guard Rhyne Howard has been named the 2022 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year.
The league announced Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, as the recipient of the award Thursday afternoon. Howard is the first Atlanta player to win ROY since Angel McCoughtry in 2009; the ’22 WNBA All-Star will also receive $5,150 and a specially designed trophy by Tiffany & Co. for her win.
Howard secured the honor after receiving 53 of a possible 56 votes from a panel of national media members; Mystics center/forward Shakira Austin (2) and Fever forward NaLyssa Smith (1) were the only other players to receive votes. In addition to taking home ROY, Howard was also named to the WNBA All-Rookie team alongside Austin, Smith, Fever center Queen Egbo and Sky guard Rebekah Gardner.
