With the 2025 WNBA regular season just hours away, it’s time to do what all hoop fans secretly love. Make bold predictions too quickly! Yes, there could be a lot of changes between the present and the awards ceremony, which I recommend over science. But that’s part of the fun, right? From MVP candidates to rising stars, who are we? Maybe When the season ends, walk away with some shiny trophies. I choose traditional choices, the one with the most likely chance of winning, the runner-up, someone to talk to throughout the season, and dark horses that may surprise you out of nowhere. I might include one or two honorable mentions. Let’s start the guessing game!
Rookie of the Year
Traditional Choice – Page Booker, Dallas Wings
It’s difficult to go to the overall pick, right? Meanwhile, the WNBA Rookie of the Year (Roy) is not everytime Please move to No. 1 general pick. PaigeBueckers is not your typical top selection. She is a generational talent that feels like her natural next step. With her high-end court vision, silky scoring ability, and the charisma that already has a national following on her, the Bookers enter a sophisticated league as the rookies come. The transition from college to professional can be bumpy, but Bueckers has the game and calm and should translate quickly. If she remains healthy and stable, she could claim Roy as much as she would be the first name on the draft board.
Runner-up – Dominique Malonga, Seattle Storm
Sonia Citron has a strong argument, but I promise not to go 1-2-3 here. Dominique Malonga may not have been the first name to be called on draft night, but don’t be surprised if she finishes the season with the Rookie of the Year trophy. Veterans like Skylar Diggins give her the ball and land on the roster with the veterans who Nneka Ogwumike portrays heavy defensive powers, she is in a dream situation for a young big. Nika and factory And Jordan Horston stood by that year. Suddenly, there is more space and responsibility for Malonga to shine. If there’s the opportunity and she grabs it, this rookie race can be exciting.
Dark Horse – Haley Vanlis, Chicago Sky
Haley Van Liss may be a long shot for Rookie of the Year, but let’s have fun with the possibilities. She gives the team the opportunity to carve out real minutes with a wide open backcourt, a strong pick-and-roll system and a quality big to collaborate. Add coaches that come from systems that are handed the keys to promote unconventional security guards often. If her game is translated better than expected, the volume and opportunity can push her into the newcomer’s conversation.
This year’s coach
Traditional Choices – Indiana Fever, Stephanie White
Stephanie White will enter in a new role in the 2025 season, but she is well-known in the city, and the star may be in line with the Coach of the Year campaign. With one of the league’s most talented and potentially deep rosters, including the arrival of Kate Linklark, it’s highly anticipated in Indiana, with the franchise and fanbase returning to relevance. White is widely respected as one of the sharpest XS and OS hearts in the league, and its focus on improving defensive discipline and sharp offensive movements is exactly what this group needs to make a leap. If fever rose on opportunity and brought promises, White could find himself holding more than just a clipboard by the end of the season.
Runner-up – Sandi Brondello, New York Liberty
Sandy Blondello may not be Coach of the Year’s most flashy pick, but she is definitely in the mix. Kayla Thornton lost to the expanded draft and then Vietniya Rainey Hamilton suffered severe knee injuries It’s a major blow to New York’s depth and defensive versatility. Add the challenge of integrating important new works like Natasha Cloud. Brondello’s coaching chops are tested early and frequently. But if she can stabilize this group, come together and climb towards a top two or three finishes at the top end of the league, voters may reward the work behind the victory.
Dark Horse – Tyler Marsh, Chicago Sky
Yeah, yeah, I know what this Chicago SkyTeam is and how far they are from the true competition. And I still think they have some dark horse candidates, including Marsh for Coy. As a freshman head coach who took off his stint under Becky Hammon’s guidance, Marsh brings both a strong lineage and plenty of motivation to prove he’s ready to lead. With an exciting blend of new talent, an extremely second season from Angel Reese, a roster dedicated to structure and direction, he is stepping into a situation with both challenges and advantages. Even if Chicago doesn’t get close to the playoff berth, a big leap from the 2024 finish could turn his head. And if he starts to rise under Marsh’s watch, he could be his biggest coaching surprise of the season.
Most Improved Player
Traditional Choice – Kayla Thornton, Golden State Valkyries
Kayla Thornton has long been one of the league’s most reliable glue players, horny, versatile, quietly essentially – but 2025 could be the year when it finally comes out of the shadows and leads. Now, with the expansion team, she has a real opportunity to match as well as a career average of 7.0 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and a few minutes and 41.1% shooting. Thornton averaged 23.5 minutes per game throughout her career, primarily supporting roles, but this season she can see the floor more than ever before, but her younger, less experienced teams are still finding their identity. If minutes and usage come, don’t be surprised if she appears as a seriously improved player (MIP) candidate. Finally, I had the opportunity to spread my wings and show the full range of the game.
Runner-up – Dana Evans, Las Vegas Ace
Dana Evans fits the classically varied Senerly breakout type. Las Vegas may be the right place for her to ultimately thrive. After spending a few seasons in Chicago, she never gained consistent roles or support at all because it was often exacerbated by coaching sales. Evans has now joined one of the league’s most consistent coached organizations. Even if ACES loses two top assistants, including one of Chicago’s Evan’s former team, the team’s core system and Becky Hammon’s leadership will remain solid. With no clear backup point guard behind Chelsea Gray who missed the time of his injury last season and might miss this season’s stretch, Evans is poised to intervene as a key contributor from the bench. Her speed, shooting and ability to provide immediate attack allowed her to thrive in this new role and straighten herself into the conversations of the most improved players.
Dark Horse – Washington’s Mystical Shakira Austin
See, I’m not a fan of the fact that this award is usually sent to the “player returning from injury” motif. That’s why Cameron Brink isn’t on this list. Needless to say, she could miss the first third or so of the season. But if she can stay healthy, it’s hard to overlook what Austin can do this season.
She missed the first pre-season game of the season due to a foot injury that could have been a precaution, but let’s not overlook the points. Austin has all the tools to help the WNBA, especially with the Washington team. Austin has the versatility to control both ends of the floor, allowing you to crash the board and protect the rim. As one of the few bright spots on the reconstruction team, she will likely be asked to carry heavier loads. With proper development and some much-needed health conditions, she could shine as a mystic leader and reach a breakout season, which could lead to her being caught up in the mix because it was the most improved.
6th Player of the Year
Traditional Choice – Dana Evans, Ace
For all the reasons she could become a MIP, Evans can easily become a 6-wy. Evans has all the makers of the sixth Player of the Year candidate, as Las Vegas might be the perfect place for her to thrive in that role. Evans is currently on Ace, one of the league’s most consistent and successful teams. With Chelsea Gray likely missing the game, Evans could easily slide into the main reserve rolls, providing points, playmaking and intervals from the bench. Her ability to provide immediate offense and spark the team in her minutes may be exactly what they need. And when you think about it According to TimeLine’s Aride, ACES players have won the sixth Player of the Year in five of the last six seasonsEvans is in a great company. If she seizes the opportunity, she could be next in line to win the award.
Runner-up – Marine Johanne, New York Liberty
With Leonie Fevich likely to step into the starting lineup due to Vitniya Rainey Hamilton’s injury, Johannes is poised to take on her essential role from the New York Liberty bench. Johanne’s shooting and experience gives her an ideal fit for the New York pace and space system. There, you can stretch your defenses, rebound and defend multiple positions without disrupting your offensive rhythm. Her ability to provide efficient, low rev minutes with high-tempo 5-out attacks makes for a shocking reserve for the Championship Contending team.
Dark Horse – Lexiehal, Fever
Lexie Hull may not be the traditional sixth player candidate of the year. Although she could start, her history of thriving from the bench, combined with her rich talent before her, was able to see her become one of White’s reserves in the first game. Although Hal has been on a slightly bumpy path early in her career, her pure toughness, defensive tenacity and ability to make the floor into space have earned her a consistent spot on a competitive team. Her defensive grit and versatility make her an invaluable asset off the bench, allowing her to line up with the sixth Play Eleco recognition by the end of the season, while she continues to contribute in those areas, providing scoring and energy.
This year’s defensive player
Traditional Choice – Naphesa Collier, Lynx
Napheesa Collier is a legitimate competitor of the Player of the Year (DPOY), and numbers and eye tests bring it back. According to WNBA.com, she posted the best defensive victory share per game last seasonstats that reflect how shocking she is on that edge of the floor. Collier is Minnesota’s engine of defense, securing every design Reeve designs with her length, consciousness and ability to defend multiple positions. Whether she turns on boundaries, protects the rims, or cleans the glass, her presence can be felt everywhere. If Lynx continues to build around their defensive identity, it is fitting that their most essential defenders will ultimately be able to bring home the honor of the top of the league’s personal defensive.
Runner-up – A’ja Wilson, Aces
A’ja Wilson enters every season as a favorite of the year’s defensive player of the year and for good reason. She’s not the best player in the league. She secures the most complete Las Vegas on either end of the floor, with unparalleled consistency and strength. Her timing as a shot blocker, her ability to switch to security, and her elite defensive positioning make her a nightmare for her opponent and a dream for any coach. Even on a star-laden team, it’s Wilson who sets the tone defensively, and her presence alone will boost Ace’s identity. There are already multiple DPOY trophies on her shelf, so don’t be surprised if she adds another one.
Dark Horse – Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury
Alyssa Thomas may have a new home in Phoenix, but her defensive identity remains as unmoved as ever. Known for her merciless motor and unwavering physicality, Thomas finished 9th in defensive win shares per game per WNBA.com last season– A testament to her consistent influence on that edge of the floor. A team with a stack of offensive talent is looking for a defensive backbone, but it could be something that sets the tone. With less pressure to carry offensive loads, she may ultimately have the freedom to focus more on chaotic defensive facilities. Someone has to defend in Phoenix, and no one will do that, like Thomas.
Most valuable player
Traditional Choice – A’ja Wilson/Breanna Stewart, Aces/Liberty
At this point, either A’ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart, the MVP is the safest preseason bet you can. They are two constants of the league’s best talent group, dominant, reliable, and always at the heart of team success. Whether Wilson holds the edges of the floor for the Championship Caliber ace team, or whether Stewart continues to set up an eye-opening stat line while leading New York, it often means that the team finishes higher or which stars run through the rest at the slimmest margin. It feels like the MVP races will pass them until it proves not.
Runner-up – Napheesa Collier, Lynx
But if Minnesota can replicate or build the success of 2024, Napheesa Collier must be part of the MVP conversation. She does it all for Lynx – defense, score, promotion, lead – and she does it all at the elite level. Collier is one of the most balanced players in the league, and if Lynx ends up close to the top of the rankings again, that’s probably because she continues to raise every part of their game. Collier will ultimately get her MVP moment if voters are looking for a player to check all the boxes while carrying the team.
Dark Horse – Kate Rinklerk, Fever
Then there’s Kate Linklark, the league’s most famous rookie for many years and a true Dark Horse MVP candidate. No, that’s not common. Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is the only player to win an MVP in his second season, but if anyone in the modern WNBA can pull it off, it’s Clark. She has the opportunity to set up green light, spotlights and enormous numbers. If she can lead Indiana to a massive turnaround and endure the bill for “generational talent,” then rewriting the MVP’s record book might be enough.
All statistics up to the 2024 season. Unless otherwise stated, all statistics are courtesy of her hoop statistics.
