The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been gaining more traction now than ever. With a talented rookie class, impact-making players, and expansion success, the fans were eager to see who would take home this season’s awards.
Across the league, the WNBA had the most influential class of newcomers, ultimately increasing viewership and intensity on the court. Rookie of the Year came down to the wire between the Washington Mystics’ Sonia Citron and recent NCAA Division I champion, the Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers. Ultimately, Bueckers, with a 19.2 point and 3.9 rebound average, clinched the Rookie of the Year award presented by commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
A’ja Wilson, center for the Las Vegas Aces, showed up and showed out this season, proving she has what it takes to be named the W’s Most Valuable Player. In her seventh playoff appearance with the WNBA, Wilson has achieved at least 21 points in four out of her five playoff games this season with the Aces.
On Saturday the 20th, it was announced Naz Hillmon would be named the sixth Player of the Year, making her the Atlanta Dream’s first player in franchise history to receive this award. Off the bench, Hillmon recorded an 8.6 point, 6.2 rebound average, making her presence known on the court.
This season marks the first time in WNBA history that two players have been named Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith and the MVP A’ja Wilson received an equal 29 votes from a qualified national panel of sports professionals. This marks Smith’s first defensive title and Wilson’s third.
The newest addition to the league, the Golden State Valkyries, took home two titles this awards season. Guard Veronica Burton received the Most Improved Player award, under her first leadership role, taking them to the first round of the playoffs. The first Asian American WNBA coach, and Valkyries head coach, Natalie Nakase was voted the 2025 Coach of the Year, making her the first coach of an expansion team to receive the award. It’s no surprise she was recognized, as early on, the Valkyries established a strong presence within the league.
With the championship ahead, we can’t help but wonder who will take home the coveted WNBA championship title.
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