WNBA Awards Watch: Collier gunning for MVP, DPOY

Welcome to our monthly look at the various individual awards in the WNBA and who merits a mention for their performances across the season.

Rookie of the Year

3. Sonia Citron (Mystics): Citron has been a reliable 3-and-D player, shooting 34.8% from deep and providing defensive versatility. The 6-foot-1 wing has produced near 50-40-90 shooting splits during her brief time as a pro. Citron and teammate Kiki Iraifen are the first rookies since A'ja Wilson to begin their careers with at least eight straight double-digit scoring games.

2. Paige Bueckers (Wings): Bueckers has made an instant impact for the Wings on both ends of the floor. She's the first player in WNBA history to tally 60 points and 30 assists through their first five appearances. Bueckers has looked comfortable running Dallas' offense and has been lethal when pulling up in the mid-range. She's often one step ahead on defense, too, picking off entry feeds into the post and passes for backdoor cutters.

1. Kiki Iriafen (Mystics): The USC product gets the early nod after winning the first Rookie of the Month award of the season. Iriafen is one of six players to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds through the first seven contests of their career. She's flashed a face-up game, and her relentless motor has led to many putback opportunities on the offensive glass.

Defensive Player of the Year

3. A'ja Wilson (Aces): You can't count Wilson out of the race, even with the Aces starting slowly. The three-time WNBA All-Defensive first-team selection is leading the league in blocks (2.6 per contest) for the fifth time in six years. She also ranks third with two steals per game, trailing only Bueckers and Gabby Williams of the Seattle Storm. Additionally, opponents are shooting only 36.1% from the mid-range when defended by Wilson.

2. Natasha Cloud (Liberty): A few players on the league's top-ranked defense have a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year, but Cloud may have the most compelling argument. With her switchability, tenacity, and high IQ, the veteran guard has wreaked havoc on the defensive end. Cloud is tied for seventh in the WNBA with a career-high 1.7 steals per contest. New York also allows 4.5 fewer points per 100 possessions when she's on the floor.

1. Napheesa Collier (Lynx): Collier is looking to become the eighth player in league history to win back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards. The 6-foot-1 forward remains the heart of Minnesota's defense, placing in the WNBA's top six for both steals and blocks. Collier consistently stays vertical when defending at the rim and uses her length to contest shots. She's equally effective on the perimeter, using her quick hands to generate steals and moving laterally to cut off driving attempts.

Most Improved Player

3. Gabby Williams (Storm): Williams is thriving with increased offensive responsibility. The Storm forward is third on the squad in points per game (14.1) and second in assists (4.5) while leading the league in steals (2.7). Williams is also Seattle's second-best shooter from three (42.9%), making a team-best 2.0 attempts per contest.

2. Brittney Sykes (Mystics): More known for her defense, Sykes is putting together her best offensive season. The Mystics guard is posting a career-high 20.5 points and 4.5 assists, along with 4.2 rebounds. Sykes' shooting numbers are the only thing holding her back, as she's making 37.9% of her field-goal attempts.

1. Allisha Gray (Dream): Despite winning Rookie of the Year and earning back-to-back All-Star selections, Gray is taking her game to new heights this campaign. The Dream guard is averaging 20.4 points per outing, seventh league-wide. Gray is also recording career bests in assists (4.5), 3-point makes per game (2.5), and shooting percentage from deep (41.2%).

Sixth Player of the Year

3. Kennedy Burke (Liberty): Burke is New York's leading scorer from the bench at 8.5 points per game. The 28-year-old has nearly doubled her playing time, jumping from 12.1 minutes last season to 21.3 this year. Burke's best performances have come against the Chicago Sky, averaging 16.0 points in two outings.

2. Lexi Held (Mercury): Held has stepped up in a massive way for the Mercury. The 25-year-old rookie guard ranks third on the team in points per game (9.1) and is second all reserves in total points off the bench with 108, according to Statmuse. Held might be in play for this award and the All-Rookie team if she keeps this up.

1. Natisha Hiedeman (Lynx): Hiedeman narrowly beats out teammate Jessica Shepard to be the Lynx's representative on this list. The 27-year-old is recording almost identical numbers to her best campaign in 2022, posting 9.3 points and 3.0 assists this season. Hiedeman has started the year on fire, shooting 52.5% from the field and 34.4% from three.

Coach of the Year

3. Nate Tibbetts (Mercury): The post-Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner era could've gone sideways fast. Kahleah Copper was injured before the season started, followed by Alyssa Thomas joining her on the sidelines after just five games. Tibbetts has successfully navigated those challenges, leaning on strong defensive play to compensate for a lack of firepower.

2. Karl Smesko (Dream): Smesko was heralded as an offensive guru for his work over two-plus decades at Florida Gulf Coast. His 3-point-heavy approach has transformed the Dream into one of the WNBA's most potent offenses after finishing dead last in points scored in 2024. Gray has been one of the primary beneficiaries of Smesko's system, posting a career-high 20.4 points per contest.

1. Sandy Brondello (Liberty): New York is showing no signs of a championship hangover. The Liberty are off to their best start in franchise history despite some early injuries to Jonquel Jones and Nyara Sabally. Brondello has done a great job integrating Cloud into the starting lineup and is continually getting the most from her reserve unit.

Most Valuable Player

3. Breanna Stewart (Liberty): Stewart is putting together another commendable season, averaging 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks. While her scoring numbers are slightly below some of the league's top contenders, the 30-year-old could win her third MVP if those stats come up and New York continues to have one of the WNBA's best records.

2. A'ja Wilson (Aces): Even after missing the last three games with a concussion and the Aces' overall disappointing 5-6 record, Wilson is still a force to be reckoned with. The reigning MVP has posted a robust 20.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game in eight contests. At some point, Wilson may become the only player ever to win four MVPs.

1. Napheesa Collier (Lynx): After finishing runner-up to Wilson last season, Collier has a firm grasp on the award to start the campaign. The Lynx forward is leading the WNBA in points per game (24.4), sixth in rebounds (8.5), tied for fourth in steals (1.8), and sixth in blocks per game (1.5) while leading Minnesota to the league's best record. Not too shabby.