A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark Named WNBA AP Player and Rookie of the Year

A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark have had outstanding seasons, breaking records in the WNBA that had never been achieved before.

Wilson made history as the first player to score over 1,000 points in a season, averaging an impressive 26.9 points. Meanwhile, Clark set a record for single-season assists and became the highest-scoring rookie in league history.

It was only fitting that both players were recognized as unanimous selections for the Associated Press Player and Rookie of the Year awards by a panel of 15 media members.

“It means a lot,” Wilson expressed during a phone interview. “The preparation you put in and the approach I set for this season have made it all possible.”

Earlier on the same day, Wilson was also named the league’s MVP, again receiving unanimous acclaim. The WNBA plans to announce further award recipients throughout the postseason, which commenced on Sunday.

In the regular season, Wilson accumulated a stunning 1,021 points along with 451 rebounds, leading the league with 98 blocks. Last year, she finished third in the MVP rankings, garnering one fourth-place vote that motivated her through the offseason.

“That pushed me a little as I started my offseason work, but by February, I just wanted to move on,” Wilson noted. “I didn’t want to focus on that energy anymore; that’s when I really began to lock in.”

Entering the WNBA with immense hype, Clark delivered for the Indiana Fever, leading them to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. During her debut season, she shattered the single-season assist record with 337 and recorded an astonishing 19 assists in a single game. She averaged 19.2 points, setting a new rookie scoring benchmark.

“This is a tremendous honor to be named The Associated Press Rookie of the Year,” Clark remarked. “This recognition wouldn’t be possible without an incredible group of teammates and coaches, and we’re looking forward to continuing an exciting postseason after a strong regular season.”

Beyond her on-court achievements, Clark has contributed to elevating WNBA’s viewership and attendance to unprecedented levels.

Clark highlighted the all-rookie team, which also included Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky, who set a rebounds-per-game record with an average of 13.1. Reese would have likely claimed the overall rebounding record if not for an injury that sidelined her toward the season’s end. Other rookies on the team were Leonie Fiebich from New York, Rickea Jackson from Los Angeles, and Kamilla Cardoso from Chicago.

Wilson’s teammate Tiffany Hayes received the AP Sixth Woman of the Year award, praised by Wilson for her impactful presence both on the court and in the locker room.

“She’s our difference-maker in many ways. When she speaks, everyone listens, which showcases the kind of great player she is,” Wilson said.

Wilson and Clark were key figures on the AP All-WNBA first team, joined by Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Alyssa Thomas. The second team featured Sabrina Ionescu, Kahleah Copper, Nneka Ogwumike, Kayla McBride, and Arike Ogunbowale.

Additional AP award winners included:

—Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve. She led Minnesota to a surprising second-place finish, having been predicted to finish ninth before the season. The Lynx clinched the Commissioner’s Cup and ended the season strong, winning 13 of their last 15 games.

—Comeback Player of the Year: Skylar Diggins-Smith. The Seattle Storm guard, who missed last season after giving birth to her second child, averaged 15.1 points and 6.4 assists this season.

—Most Improved Player: Dearica Hamby. The Los Angeles Sparks forward elevated her game significantly, averaging 17.3 points—8.4 more than the previous season—and increased her rebounding average by over three per game. She narrowly bested Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington by a single vote.

—Defensive Player of the Year: Collier. The star from the Lynx showcased an exceptional season on both ends of the court and was a foundational element of Minnesota’s top-rated defense. Wilson trailed her closely in the voting.

“I’m so proud of Phee’s defensive efforts this season. Her commitment to all aspects of our defense, including deflections, steals, blocks, and rebounds, anchored our team as one of the best defensive squads in the league,” Reeve commented.

In the AP WNBA Power Poll, Minnesota finished in the lead, followed by New York, Las Vegas, and Connecticut. The rankings were rounded out by Seattle, Indiana, Atlanta, Phoenix, while Washington, Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles completed the list.

Source: Las Vegas Sun