The WNBA regular season slate ended Sunday, giving players and coaches one final opportunity to state their case for why they should be considered among the league’s best talent.
Following the end of the season, a 12-member media group from the Associated Press votes on awards such as Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), Coach of the Year (COY), and more. These awards precede the league awards that will be announced during post-season play, with the coveted league MVP award announced on September 26.
Here’s what the AP voters absolutely got right and wrong for its 2023 WNBA awards:
What went right: Aliyah Boston as Rookie of the Year
This award was truly a no-brainer. Former South Carolina gamecock Aliyah Boston hit the ground running this season and was better than every other rookie. Boston racked up three WNBA Rookie of the Month awards and was the only rookie to be an All-Star. She didn’t care who you were; you, too, could get a bucket. With her killer instincts, silky post moves, and sheer will, she led the league in field goal percentage for much of the season and finished top-five, shooting 57.8 percent. Boston also averaged 14.5 points and 8.4 rebounds a game and was a massive part of why the Indiana Fever doubled their win total from last season.
"She's a real, real problem." 😈
Aliyah Boston with the reverse layup. pic.twitter.com/9OLpj9vfZT
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 3, 2023
What went right: Brittney Griner as Comeback Player of the Year
Brittney Griner’s comeback story is one that perhaps Griner didn’t even see coming. Last year, she spent ten months in a Russian prison, eventually released in December. It’s not unreasonable to assume there was likely a time when Griner was unsure she would come back to the States, let alone play basketball again.
The league threw its full support behind Griner, including wearing “We Are B.G.” apparel until she returned home. Upon returning, Griner picked up near where she left off. This season, she averaged 17.5 points, 2.2 assists (tied for first in the league at her position), and 6.3 rebounds a game.
Brittney Griner's openness with the media has been incredible all season long, considering everything she went through last year.
She owes us nothing. And still, these are kinds of candid answers and insight she continues to provide.
Also loved her comments on Sug Sutton. pic.twitter.com/y8OdD56eLG
— Lyndsey D'Arcangelo 🏀 (@darcangel21) September 9, 2023
What went right: Alyssa Thomas on the All-WNBA First Team
There is only one player who is a walking triple-double. That’s Alyssa Thomas “A.T.” Thomas, and the “A.T.” stands for all terrain. It doesn’t matter where or what surface she plays on; Thomas is a force.
Thomas set a record for most assists in a single season (316), led the league in rebounds, averaging 9.9 a game, and was top-three for steals per game. Did I mention this was all while tying her career-best of 15.5 points a game?
Thomas’s play has caught the attention of many around the league, forcing her franchise to make a case for MVP consideration.
Float like a butterfly, sting like AT.
Introducing…The Beast Inside. Quiet and reserved off the court, absolutely fearless on it.
The most triple-doubles. The most relied on. The most VALUABLE. #ATforMVP pic.twitter.com/YtV57TFeRK
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 24, 2023
What went wrong: Napheesa Collier on the All-WNBA Second Team
Not seeing Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier’s name on the All-NBA First team feels like a grave injustice. I get it – only five players get those honors – but not seeing Collier there feels like stubbing your pinky toe and then stepping on a Lego barefoot. It’s painful.
The 26-year-old has been playing on another level since missing most of 2022 to give birth to her first child. In my mind, returning to professional sports after that is superhuman. Collier’s not only a rare athlete, but averaging 21.5 points with 8.5 rebounds while helping to lead Minnesota to the playoffs this season is next-level stuff.
It’s too late, but I’m saying it anyway: Justice for “Phee”!
What sets Napheesa Collier apart from other WNBA stars isn’t just her midrange scoring, low post game, or versatile defense, but also her cutting.
The timing on this cut, like so many she makes over the course of a game, is just perfect pic.twitter.com/6gcEtuXryk
— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) August 23, 2023
What went wrong: A'ja Wilson is not MVP
This is no slight to Breanna Stewart, but A’ja Wilson should be MVP. Stewart makes a compelling case. She’s the life and soul of the New York Liberty after joining them in the offseason. I believe the Liberty are not the two-seed in this year’s playoffs without “Stewie.”
However, the sheer amount of sustained dominance by Wilson, at just 27-years-old, is mind-boggling. She’s at the top of nearly every statistical category in the league and showing no signs of slowing down. Perhaps what put her over the top this season was her otherworldly record-breaking performance in Atlanta. I’ve never seen anything like it!
By the third quarter of that game, Wilson had a paltry 30 points and ended it with 53 points on a casual 70 percent shooting. I’m sorry. What? Unreal. Her performance even caught the eye of LeBron James. If he’s impressed, I’m impressed.
This is also too late, but: Free A’ja!
Grateful to witness and do the highlights on the historic 53 ball by A’ja Wilson which tied the WNBA single-game scoring record. Also was the most points scored in a game this season. We are watching an all-time great continue to elevate day after day! pic.twitter.com/LQXesVwqPK
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) August 23, 2023
