The WNBA awards are here
The vibes are high as the WNBA hands out its 2026 hardware. While the schedule is a total mystery, we already have a lineup of absolute ballers taking home the top spots.
Big Ws for the Lynx and Valkyries
Minnesota Lynx sensation Olivia Miles is your unanimous Rookie of the Year. She’s officially in elite company, joining legends like A'ja Wilson and Candace Parker. Miles went hard this season, averaging 19.8 points and 6 assists, and even smashed Caitlin Clark’s rookie scoring record with 790 points. Her coach, Cheryl Reeve, also snagged Coach of the Year for the fifth time, a major W that sets an all-time record in major American pro sports.
Over at the Golden State Valkyries, Janelle Salaün is officially the Sixth Player of the Year. She made history as the first player to ever win the award unanimously. She was on one this season, leading all bench scorers with 12.7 points per game and hitting 39.2% from deep.
Defensive dominance and stat stuffers
Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese is your Defensive Player of the Year. It’s giving lockdown, as she led the league in defensive win shares and helped the Dream secure a top-tier defensive rating.
Meanwhile, Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard is your Most Improved Player. She put up massive numbers, including six triple-doubles and a legendary 20-20-10 performance. Real talk, she was one of only two players to average a double-double all season.
Why it matters
These awards highlight the shifting landscape of the league, from the dominance of high-impact rookies like Miles to the record-setting consistency of veterans like Reeve and breakout stars like Salaün and Reese.
