[ad_1]
When it comes to naming the best player in the WNBA, it’s no surprise that A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces secured the top spot in ESPN’s top 25 rankings of WNBA players in 2024 from start to finish. The playoff edition, featuring four players who were not on the midseason list, only includes players from the eight teams in the postseason, making it challenging to narrow down the list to just 25.
Wilson made history by becoming the first player to score 1,000 points in a WNBA season, finishing with 1,021 in the regular season, while also setting a record for rebounds in a season with 451. The 2024 season saw several other records fall, with Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever leading in assists and Tina Charles of the Atlanta Dream setting records for career rebounds and double-doubles.
Rookies were not eligible for the preseason top 25 rankings in May to allow them time to prove themselves in the league, but players like Clark have steadily climbed up the rankings. As we approach the start of the WNBA playoffs, here’s a look at the top players who will be competing for the 2024 WNBA championship trophy, as voted on by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, Alexa Philippou, and Michael Voepel.
(Editor’s note: Wilson was named a unanimous MVP on Sunday morning, receiving all 67 first-place votes. Napheesa Collier received all but one second-place vote, with Breanna Stewart receiving the other second-place vote and finishing third in MVP voting.)
Center | 6-foot-42024 stats: 26.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.6 BPGMidseason ranking: 1
Wilson led the WNBA this season in scoring, blocks, player efficiency rating, and win shares. Her scoring average is the highest ever for a season, surpassing Diana Taurasi’s record from 2006. Wilson’s numbers in rebounding, blocks, and steals are also career highs. She had multiple high-scoring games and was an obvious choice for MVP after an outstanding season. — Michael Voepel
Forward | 6-foot-12024 stats: 20.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.9 SPGMidseason ranking: 3
Collier had the best season of her career, securing the second spot in our rankings and finishing in the same position on the MVP ballots. With improved support from her team, Collier saw a slight drop in scoring but excelled in other key statistics. She was our pick for Defensive Player of the Year and remains a crucial player for the second-seeded Lynx. — Kevin Pelton
Source link
