WNBA awards and predictions 2018: Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson, and more take home preseason honors

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury heads out to the court before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game Three of the Semifinals during the 2017 WNBA Playoffs on September 17, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury heads out to the court before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game Three of the Semifinals during the 2017 WNBA Playoffs on September 17, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 1: Brittney Sykes #7 of the Atlanta Dream handles the ball against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 1, 2017 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 1: Brittney Sykes #7 of the Atlanta Dream handles the ball against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 1, 2017 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Sixth Woman of the Year: Brittney Sykes, Dream

The Dream’s second-leading scorer from a year ago was also one of the best rookies in the league. This year, if she stays on the same trajectory, she will present a legitimate threat off the bench. Down the stretch in 2017, she improved greatly from three, shooting about 40 percent over the last three weeks of the season. She saved her best performance for last, scoring 33 points on 12-19 shooting in a loss to Phoenix to end the season.

Also considered: Renee Montgomery, Morgan Tuck, Kia Nurse