WNBA End of Year Awards predictions: Pt. 1

The WNBA playoff race comes to a close at the end of next week. Last week, playoff predictions were discussed.

Starting off to recap the past week, A’ja Wilson broke the WNBA single-season scoring record on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

She currently sits at 971 points for the 2024 season.

The WNBA Awards are issued throughout late September into early October. Let’s dive into who the contenders are and my predictions.

Coach of the Year

The Minnesota Lynx entered the season not predicted to do well. They earned the Commissioner’s Cup over the talented New York Liberty in June.

Last season they finished 19-21, just under .500. They sit second in the league with three games remaining in the 2024 season with a 28-9 record, .757.

Cheryl Reeve is in her fifteenth season as coach of the Lynx.

She also spent her summer leading the 2024 USA Women’s National Team to a gold medal in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Lynx currently ride a five-game win streak and have gone 9-1 through their last ten games.

Hot for playoffs, watch out for Reeve to add another trophy to her 2024 collection.

Most Valuable Player

Three-peat. Wilson won the league's MVP Award in 2022 and 2023 and looks to win it again this season.

Marking her name in the history books on September 11, she now leads the league in all-time single-season scoring.

There have been three previous three-peat WNBA MVPs: Sheryl Swoopes (Comets), Lisa Leslie (Sparks) and Lauren Jackson (Storm).

Wilson, in her seventh season, is posting her best stat line and deserves to be the WNBA MVP for the 2024 season.

Rookie of the Year

A battle all season between Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, Clark takes this award home.

Reese was the clear favorite until the end of August and her season-ending wrist injury basically eliminates her from contention.

She set a single-season record for rebounds with 446 before injury.

Clark helped the Fever clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. She also set the league’s single-season record for assists with 317.

She has also helped spread the name of the league and transferred her fans from Iowa and those who gained a love of women’s college hoops to the WNBA.

The Caitlin Clark Effect is real.

In addition, she averages 19.1 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds in just her rookie season.

Look for many more successful years to come from Clark and for a deep playoff run from the Fever.

In next week’s article, I’ll dissect my predictions for Sixth Player of the Year, Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year

Julia Henry is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism and labor and human resources, to contact her please email jbh6443@psu.edu.