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Rookie Race: Looking back at the WNBA’s closest Rookie of the Year votes

By Kurtis Zimmerman

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 22: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of Dallas Wings hugs Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx after the game between the two teams on August 22, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minneosta. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 22: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of Dallas Wings hugs Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx after the game between the two teams on August 22, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minneosta. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS – JULY 27: Seimone Augustus #33 of the Minnesota Lynx shoots against the Charlotte Sting on July 27, 2006 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2006 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS – JULY 27: Seimone Augustus #33 of the Minnesota Lynx shoots against the Charlotte Sting on July 27, 2006 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2006 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2006: Seimone Augustus

The top two picks in the 2006 WNBA Draft are to this day two of the most prolific scorers the league has ever seen, and each is a multi-time champion in the league.

In 2006, Seimone Augustus, out of LSU, was selected first overall by the Minnesota Lynx. The Phoenix Mercury took Cappie Pondexter out of Rutgers with their No. 2 overall pick.

Both were shot out of a cannon, immediate double-digit contributors for their respective teams. Pondexter was the first rookie with back-to-back 30-point games, scoring over 30 three times in her first year. Augustus had six 30-point games (still a rookie record) and was second in the WNBA in scoring, behind only Diana Taurasi.

Both set new marks atop the rookie scoring charts. Augustus scored a still-record 744 points that year (21.88 per game), and Pondexter had 624 total (fourth-best now) and 19.5 per game. Each started every game they appeared in, Augustus leading the Lynx and Pondexter forming a fearsome tandem with Taurasi.

The Mercury finished 18-16, just outside of the Playoffs, while the still-struggling Lynx went 10-24, ahead of only the Chicago Sky in the overall league standings.

Both had historic rookie campaigns, but Augustus ultimately took the Rookie of the Year award with 34 votes to Pondexter’s 20. Sophia Young(-Malcolm) impressed in her year with the San Antonio Silver Stars, getting two votes herself.

After their rookie season…

Both Augustus and Pondexter kept it going through their WNBA careers for more than a decade. Pondexter retired just before the 2019 season, not before getting two rings with the Mercury (2007, 2009) and earning seven All-Star selections. She was Finals MVP during the Mercury’s first championship run in 2007 and was a member of the All-WNBA First Team three times. She was honored as a member of the Top 15 Team in 2011 and the Top 20@20 in 2016.

Augustus is still playing with the Lynx to this day, and by all accounts intends to give it a go through the 2020 season. A leader in turning that franchise around, she has helped lead the franchise to four titles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and seven Finals appearances. She was Finals MVP during their first title run (2011) and an eight-time All Star over the years. She also joined Pondexter on the WNBA’s Top 20@20.

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