The Money Line: Odds, Prediction for WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

The Dark Horses

Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angles Sparks (+550)

Was 2016 a coming out party for the eldest Ogwumike sister or what? Winning MVP and a WNBA championship in the same season is quite a feat, but for a while, Ogwumike almost added a third trophy to her mantle. Eventually finishing third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, Ogwumike, much like Stewart, got it done in all measurable areas. Trailing only Fowles, Ogwumike was second in the league in the all-important defensive win shares category, and was among the lead leaders in defensive rating (third), defensive rebounding percentage (fourth), blocks per game (eighth) and defensive rebounds (third). If the Sparks want to repeat as champions, Ogwumike will have to continue to be a force on both ends of the court.