WNBA news: WNBA Rookie of the Year power rankings, who is winning?

[caption id="attachment_3535" align="alignnone" width="850"] UNCASVILLE, CT - JULY 16: Kelsey Plum[/caption]rnrnAs the WNBA season enters the final stretch, what once looked like a noncompetitive Rookie of the Year race has turned intriguing.rnrn[recentposts align="right" thiscategory="yes" /]rnrnAllisha Gray won the Rookie of the Month honors in May and June, jumping out to a big lead for the honor. But Brittney Sykes and Kelsey Plum have made up ground in a hurry, while the contributions of players like Sami Whitcomb, Stephanie Talbot and Lindsay Allen cannot be ignored.rnrnSo how do the current rankings look? To the list!rnrn[nextslide teaser="The current leader" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_4000" align="alignnone" width="850"] WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 18: Allisha Gray[/caption]rn 1. Allisha Gray, Dallas Wings rnStill the frontrunner, Gray is a key part of the unlikely playoff contender in Dallas. Gray has started all 27 games for Fred Williams' Wings, playing in 27.5 minutes per game, easily the highest average among all rookies. She's scored in double figures in five of her past six games, even as WNBA scouting reports have been adjusted to cope with her versatile game. Her turnover percentage of 2.8 is among the league leaders, and best among rookies. Her efficiency has dropped some in recent games, however, with Gray shooting just 26.1 percent over her past seven games, while her defense rates 73rd of 82 players with at least 100 possessions in 2017, per Synergy.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Sykes closing fast" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_4001" align="alignnone" width="850"] ST. PAUL, MN - AUGUST 3: Brittney Sykes[/caption]rn 2. Brittney Sykes, Atlanta Dream rnIf recent form dictated the award, Sykes would have to be considered the winner. She captured July's Rookie of the Month award, capping a period since entering the starting lineup at the end of June that's provided the Dream with strong production at both ends of the floor.rnrnSykes is now up to 12.2 points per game, but the real burst in production came in July: 17.8 points per game, and a robust 38.5 percent from three. However, what sets Sykes apart is what she does on the defensive end: 23rd of 82 in defensive points per possession, per Synergy, among players with at least 100 possessions. Her 2.0 block percentage leads all rookies. And her 9.6 rebounding percentage is second among rookies, trailing only Emma Cannon. If her August/September resemble her July, Sykes could overtake Gray and win the hardware.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Plum's season ripens" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_4002" align="alignnone" width="850"] SAN ANTONIO, TX - AUGUST 5: Kelsey Plum[/caption]rn 3. Kelsey Plum, San Antonio Stars rnReports of Plum's career implosion have turned out to be greatly exaggerated. While her early-season struggles, exacerbated by a roller coaster of minutes played and roles to inhabit, were well-publicized, Plum's ability to adjust to the pro game has been on display, particularly lately.rnrnIn her past two games, Plum put up her season-high in assists, with 12 against the Mystics on August 4, and then her season-high in points, with 23, on August 5 against the Storm. To get a sense of how much of this is opportunity based, consider that she made five threes in eight attempts against Seattle. In her previous 23 games, she'd gotten to attempt as many as five threes just twice.rnrnhttps://twitter.com/its_whitney/status/894557683604492289rnrnPlum is playing huge minutes while Moriah Jefferson continues to struggle with her knee injury. No one has produced in both volume and efficiency like Plum in the history of the college game. A Huskies-style finish could get Plum the award, even with her slow start.rnrn[nextslide teaser="The rest of the field" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_4003" align="alignnone" width="850"] ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 4: Sami Whitcomb[/caption]rn Other rookies of note rn Stephanie Talbot, Phoenix Mercury: Started virtually every game this season, providing production and a solid three-point shot (37.5 percent from deep).rnrn Sami Whitcomb, Seattle Storm: A legit three-and-D performer for Seattle, 33rd in the league in defensive points per possession, per Synergy, and the rookie leader in true shooting percentage at 58.2 percent.rnrn Kaela Davis, Dallas Wings: Providing solid offense off the bench, while ranking 18th in the league in defensive points per possession, guarding a variety of guards and wings all season.rnrn Lindsay Allen, New York Liberty: Not only giving the Liberty necessary minutes at point guard, but Allen is the leader among rookies in net rating, at 7.2 .rnrn Saniya Chong, Dallas Wings: The third of five Wings rookies to make this list, Chong has proven to be a valuable rotation member, backing up Skylar Diggins-Smith and managing games.rnrn Emma Cannon, Phoenix Mercury: The clear rookie leader in rebounding percentage (14.5) and second among rookies in true shooting percentage (53.3%), Cannon has provided vital frontcourt production for the Mercury this year.

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WNBA Rookie of the Year power rankings: Who’s winning?

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