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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/50e9f5e6b95b0d149323301d7c847c175884da77685b8788e5931841abeb98dc.jpg)
Preseason Championship Pick: Los Angeles Sparks
The Sparks return the core of a team that was, quite obviously, good enough to win the whole thing last year. New to the fold this year is Cappie Pondexter, a WNBA veteran who can score (17.1 ppg) and mentor a young backcourt led by Chelsea Gray (someone else who can make a significant jump this year). Add in a potential WNBA Draft steal in Maria Vadeeva, and LA has plenty of new firepower to help out perennial MVP candidates Candace Parker and Nneke Ogwumike.
Also receiving championship votes: Minnesota Lynx, Connecticut Sun