The 2022 WNBA season has provided us with plenty of competitive basketball and storylines to follow all season, from Candace Parker and the Chicago Sky looking to repeat, to the Atlanta Dream trying to secure a playoff berth behind the efforts of a rookie player and head coach. As the regular season comes to a close, here are my selections for the 2022 WNBA season awards.

Most Valuable Player: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Other Candidates Considered: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

The 2020 WNBA MVP has had another outstanding season. The fifth-year pro averaged 19.6 points per game (fifth-best in the WNBA) on 50/39/82 shooting splits, 9.5 rebounds per game (second-best in the WNBA), 1.4 steals per game, and 2.0 blocks per game (best in the WNBA). With these numbers, Wilson has led her team to a 24-10 record, second-best in the WNBA. While Stewart has put up comparable numbers (she leads the league in Win Shares at 7.3), Wilson’s record gives her the nod in this MVP race.

Rookie of the Year: Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Other Candidates Considered: Shakira Austin, Washington Mystics; NaLyssa Smith, Indiana Fever

The 2022 #1 overall pick has lived up to the hype and arguably exceeded expectations this season. After four stellar years at the University of Kentucky, Howard has helped the Atlanta Dream improve from an 8-24 record last season (second-worst in the WNBA) to a 14-20 record, with the chance to secure a playoff berth. This season, she’s averaged 16.1 PPG (11th-best in the WNBA), 4.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG (tied for seventh-best in the WNBA). Howard’s effect on the Dream’s improvement gives her the nod over Austin and Smith for this award.

Coach of the Year: Tanisha Wright, Atlanta Dream

Other Candidates Considered: Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces; James Wade, Chicago Sky; Mike Thibault, Washington Mystics

Like Howard, Wright finds herself as my COY winner due to the Dream’s improvement this season. Under the first-year coach’s watch, the Dream’s improvements have mainly come on the defensive end, as they’ve improved in points allowed per game (81.4, fourth-best in the WNBA), defensive rating (101.5, fourth-best in the WNBA), and net rating (-3.4, a 3.7 net PPG increase from the previous season).

In addition to taking over an 8-24 team, Wright had to manage a serious amount of roster turnover. The Dream only had four returning players from the 2021 season: forwards Monique Billings, Tiffany Hayes and Cheyenne Parker, and guard Aari McDonald. Of the nine new players added to the roster (including trade acquisition AD Durr), four were rookies (including Howard). Being able to navigate the roster turnover and creating an environment where players are developing and competing for a playoff berth after being in contention for the number one pick the year prior gives Wright the nod for this award.

Defensive Player of the Year: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm

Other Candidates Considered: Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun; A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Shakira Austin, Washington Mystics; Allisha Gray, Dallas Wings

The 2018 WNBA MVP gets her first DPOY award. While this was a close race, Stewart’s defensive rating (95.4, fourth-best in the WNBA), defensive Win Shares (2.4, second-best in the WNBA), and team defensive rating (99.1, third-best in the WNBA) gives her the edge here. In addition, Stewart had 1.7 SPG (tied for second-best with Alyssa Thomas) and 1.0 BPG.

Most Improved Player: Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

Other Candidates Considered: Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces; Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty

In what was probably the closest race for me, Kelsey Plum gets the nod over her teammate Jackie Young. While both players have made strides this season, Plum improved her numbers across the board, averaging 19.9 PPG (second-best in the WNBA) on 45/41/84 shooting splits, 5.1 assists per game (ninth-best in the WNBA), and 1.0 SPG with an increase of 7.0 minutes per game (MPG).

Young’s improvement was noticeable across the board as well—especially from the three point line—and her MPG was relatively similar to last season (31.8 MPG in 2021, 33.4 MPG this season). While this, along with her edge in Win Shares (WS) this season (5.2 WS to Plum’s 4.4), gives Young a very compelling argument for the MIP award, I’m giving the nod to Plum because she elevated her game to MVP candidate status. However, I would not be surprised nor sad if Jackie Young wins the MIP award.

6th Player of the Year: Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun

Other Candidate Considered: Azurá Stevens, Chicago Sky

This season, Jones and Stevens have both made admirable transitions from starters to coming off the bench. While Stevens has played well to earn consideration here, Jones outpaces her in most categories (Stevens has the edge in BPG). Over 25.4 MPG, Jones has averaged 13.7 PPG on 57/0/85 shooting splits, 5.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.4 BPG. Like the MIP award, I wouldn’t be surprised if either person won, but I think Jones gets the nod for this award.

Who are your selections for the 2022 WNBA season awards? Share your picks in the comments below!