A’ja Wilson named WNBA MVP and French players win AP awards

The AP awards also highlighted a strong presence of French talent, with Janelle Salaün winning Sixth Woman of the Year, Gabby Williams earning a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team, and Pauline Astier named to the All-Rookie Team. Basketeurope reports that France is currently the second most represented nation in the league, with seven players appearing in ESPN’s top 50 rankings.

Wilson’s MVP recognition follows a dominant performance against Indiana, where she recorded 38 points and 16 rebounds.

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“It’s huge. It’s an honor for me to achieve it three times in a row. It’s not easy. My competitors in this league are really very good. I don’t take this lightly, given the enormous talent that exists in this league.”

A’ja Wilson

Angel Reese and Olivia Miles Earn Top Individual Honors

Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream has been named the AP Defensive Player of the Year, succeeding Wilson who had held the title for the previous three seasons. Reese led the league in rebounding averages and ranked third in interceptions during the season.

Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx was elected Rookie of the Year by a unanimous vote, according to Basketeurope. Miles also earned a spot on the All-WNBA First Team. Other individual awards include Caitlin Clark, who received the Comeback of the Year trophy, and Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx, who was named Coach of the Year.

Jessica Shepard of the Dallas Wings was selected as the Most Improved Player. The original source notes that Carla Leite of Portland was a potential candidate for this award following a significant jump in performance from her rookie season with Golden State.

French Players Secure Major WNBA Distinctions

Janelle Salaün of the Golden State Valkyries was named the AP Sixth Woman of the Year, succeeding Naz Hillmon. Salaün averaged 12.7 points and 4 rebounds while shooting 39.2% from the 3-point line coming off the bench. Basketeurope notes that Salaün increased both her scoring average and efficiency despite losing her spot in the Valkyries’ starting five.

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Gabby Williams, also of the Golden State Valkyries, was named to the All-WNBA Second Team. Basketeurope characterizes this as the best season of Williams’ career, noting her status as the best defender of the last World Cup.

Pauline Astier of the New York Liberty was named to the All-Rookie Team. According to Basketeurope, Astier is the highest-scoring rookie in the history of the Liberty franchise.

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Complete Associated Press Season Awards

• Player of the Year: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
• Defensive Player of the Year: Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream)
• Rookie of the Year: Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx)
• Sixth Woman of the Year: Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries)
• Most Improved Player: Jessica Shepard (Dallas Wings)
• Comeback of the Year: Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
• Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx)

All-WNBA and All-Rookie Team Selections

The All-WNBA First Team consists of A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas), Breanna Stewart (New York), Caitlin Clark (Indiana), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana), and Olivia Miles (Minnesota).

The All-WNBA Second Team includes Angel Reese (Atlanta), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta), Gabby Williams (Golden State), Paige Bueckers (Dallas), and Jackie Young (Las Vegas).

The All-Rookie Team features six players due to a tie for the final spot: Olivia Miles (Minnesota), Flau’jae Johnson (Seattle), Azzi Fudd (Dallas), Sydney Taylor (Chicago), Kiki Rice (Toronto), and Pauline Astier (New York).

The WNBA is expected to release its own official set of season awards following the AP announcement.