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The 5 most valuable players in the WNBA right now
The WNBA has gained significant popularity worldwide throughout the last couple of years. Even though they come nowhere near the NBA ratings, there is certainly an increase in the overall interest in the League.
The 2022 WNBA season marks the 26th year of its existence so far and with the league getting more popular than ever, the games become even more electrifying. The on-court competition slowly becomes more intense as everyone tries to end up under the spotlight.
However, there are several players who stand out due to their skills, hard work, and great mentality. It’s no surprise that most of the players battling out for the MVP award each year are spread across the top teams in the league.
The WNBA lines favored A’Ja Wilson from the Aces all season long due to her all-around game as she looked for a way to top her closest rival on the list, Breanna Stewart.
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
A’ja Wilson has been one of the most consistent and improving WNBA players in recent years. The 26-year-old power forward won her second MVP award in her career this season. She averaged 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 36 appearances in 2022.
Wilson picked up his A-game in the Playoffs leading her Aces past the Phoenix Mercury and the Seattle Storm while averaging 21 points in seven games. She won the Western Conference Player of the Week award five times this season which further cements her dominance over the competition.
After winning the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year, A’ja Wilson has been on top of the charts alongside Breanna Stewart who has been her biggest opponent during the course of her career.
Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Breanna Stewart will once again go home empty-handed after her Seattle Storm lost to the Las Vegas Aces in the Semifinals. However, she ended the Regular Season on top of the leaderboard with 21.8 points per game.
The power forward has had a fantastic series against the Aces scoring 42 points in the deciding Game 4 which was just not enough to stop A’Ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray.
Stewart was named among The W25 which is a list of the top 25 WNBA players in league history. The 28-year-old has won almost everything on an international level as her focus is now set on breaking records in the WNBA.
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Suns
One of the most experienced players in the WNBA, Alyssa Thomas, has single-handedly led the Connecticut Suns to the Finals in her ninth season with the team. The 30-year-old power forward became the leader in rebounds and assists in four of the five games in the Semifinals series against the Chicago Sky.
Thomas managed to keep high consistency levels throughout the entire season which certainly books her a spot in this list. She averaged 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists to help her team finish third with a 25-11 record.
Alyssa has managed to further improve her stats during the Playoffs as she is now getting close to the double-double average with 11.9 points and 9.6 rebounds across the most important eight matches of the season.
Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx
Sylvia Fowles has been part of the WNBA since 2008 when she was drafted by the Chicago Sky. Later on, in 2015, she switched sides and went to Minnesota in pursuit of a title. She eventually managed to crown herself a two-time WNBA champion with the Lynx following their success in 2015 and 2017.
Fowles has never stopped impressing with her game as she is certainly one of the best defensive players the league has ever seen. In 2020, the 36-year-old center surpassed Rebekkah Brunson and topped the all-time rebounds leaderboard.
This year, Fowles led the WNBA in rebounds per game as she went just shy of averaging a double-double for the season. She also recorded the highest FG% at 62.2% underlining her unstoppable force under the rim.
Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Sabrina Ionescu drew attention to herself after her amazing college career in Oregon. She became the only NCAA player both in women’s and men’s competitions with 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds.
Ionescu also won the Naismith Player of the Year award in 2020 which further set the expectations quite high for her first season in the WNBA. She was selected by the New York Liberty with the first overall pick.
In 2021, at the age of 23, she became the youngest player to record a triple-double in the history of the league. On top of that, in July 2022, Ionescu once again rewrote history following yet another masterful performance.
The talented point guard recorded the first 30-point triple-double in the WNBA chronicle as she went off for 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.