The WNBA awards are rolling in
The vibes are immaculate as the WNBA kicks off its 2026 awards season. While the playoffs are heating up, some of the league’s biggest names are already securing their Ws.
Rookie and Coach of the Year
Minnesota Lynx sensation Olivia Miles is your unanimous Rookie of the Year. She absolutely ate this season, averaging 19.8 points and six assists, even smashing Caitlin Clark’s rookie scoring record. She’s only the sixth player to go unanimous, putting her in elite company with legends like A'ja Wilson and Candace Parker. Her coach, Cheryl Reeve, also snagged Coach of the Year for the fifth time—a record-breaking feat across all major U.S. pro sports.
Defensive powerhouse and Most Improved
Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese is officially the Defensive Player of the Year. She was a menace on the court, ranking first in defensive win shares and making the Dream’s defense 13 points better whenever she was in the game. Real talk, the stats don't lie: her impact was massive. Meanwhile, Dallas Wings player Jessica Shepard took home Most Improved Player honors. She crushed it this season by averaging a double-double, racking up six triple-doubles, and even dropping a legendary 20-20-10 game.
Why it matters
These awards highlight the shift in league dominance, recognizing the players and coaches who defined the 2026 season. With MVP and other honors still on the way, the league is showing that the talent gap is narrowing and the competition is only getting fiercer.
