The WNBA playoffs are nearly over—the Liberty are currently leading the Aces in their semifinal series, while the Lynx and the Sun are tied. The winners will move onto the WNBA Finals.
In the midst of all this the league is honoring players with end-of-season awards. In a surprise to no one, Caitlin Clark took home the Rookie of the Year award—and her boyfriend Connor McCaffery had the best reaction.
But there are lots of other winners, including those of Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year. The recipients are huge names—and the MVP is making history by winning the title for a third time. Here’s who the winners are, plus how this all works.
Who is the WNBA MVP in 2024?
A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces unanimously won the WNBA’s Player of the Year title, nabbing that same honor from the Associated Press. She’s the first unanimous Kia WNBA MVP since the Houston Comets’ Cynthia Cooper nabbed the title in the league’s inaugural 1997 season.
This is the third time A’ja has won the WNBA MVP award (she also won it in 2020 and 2022). She’s the fourth WNBA player to win three MVP awards, joining WNBA greats Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson for the honor.
A’ja was also named the AP’s MVP. “It means a lot,” A’ja told the AP. “The preparation you put in, the approach I set myself up for this season.”
Did Caitlin Clark get the Rookie of the Year award?
Yup, Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark is the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year, the league announced October 3. She nabbed 66 of 67 votes from a panel of writers and broadcasters, with Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese getting the only other vote. Throughout the season, Caitlin averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.33 steals, and 35.4 minutes, leading rookies in all five of those per-game categories except rebounding (where she was third).
“I am incredibly honored to be named Rookie of the Year, but more than that, I am grateful to everyone that supported me throughout this past season—my family and friends, my teammates, the Fever organization and everyone that cheered us on all season,” Caitlin said in a statement, per NBC. “I am so proud of what we accomplished and so excited for what the future holds.”
A sweet video captured the exact moment that WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Caitlin the sweet news:
Caitlin’s boyfriend Connor supported her win online, reposting the Indiana Fever’s announcement on his Instagram Story. When she won the AP‘s Rookie of the Year late last month, Connor had a hilarious reaction, sharing the news on his Instagram Story with “Duh” written over top.
Who won the rest of the WNBA awards?
Connecticut Sun guard Dijonai Carrington was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, the league announced September 25. This year, Dijonai averaged career-highs across the board with 12.7 points, five rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, making herself stand out as a defensive star, per CBS Sports.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx have won a slew of trophies. Forward Napheesa Collier was named Defensive Player of the Year, ranking second in the league in steals per game (1.91). She placed fourth in defensive rebounds per game (7.5) and seventh in blocked shots per game (1.41).
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was named Coach of the Year and Basketball Executive of the Year, becoming the first person to win Coach of the Year Award four times.
The Los Angeles Sparks’ Dearica Hamby took home the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, which is presented “to a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court, including ethical behavior, fair play and integrity,” per the league.
How do the WNBA awards work?
The WNBA’s end of season awards are voted on by 68 media members who represent the 12 WNBA markets, along with national media members, per ESPN. Those awards also include Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and All-WNBA First Team.
Congrats!
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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