The 2026 WNBA season officially ends on Friday, September 24, and that means all the season awards will be rolling in. Here are our picks for MVP, ROTY, and more.
Most Valuable Player
Elaine: A’ja Wilson
Olivia Miles deserves some love here, but the MVP is still A’ja Wilson. She leads the WNBA in points per game with 26.1. Even though she’s been dealing with a back injury, that’s pretty close to the career-high 26.9 points she averaged in 2024—and she does it with great efficiency. Wilson won every single Western Conference Player of the Month award this season and simply continues to be the best player in the world. She also heavily impacts team success, as the Aces steadily continue to be a top team in the W.
Stephanie: Olivia Miles
While it's entirely possible and probable that A'ja Wilson will win MVP for the fifth time this season, there is something powerful and necessary to be said for being the number one player on the number one team all season long. Olivia Miles came into the WNBA and surprised nearly everyone, and she deserves to become the first rookie to be named MVP and Rookie of the Year since Candace Parker, full stop. The Lynx could have crashed out this season, but Miles has been largely responsible for keeping them on track. The team has won, she's won, Cheryl has won — she's been incredible. Awarding anyone else, even Wilson, as MVP would be a disservice to that effort.
Nathan: A'ja Wilson
Was it even in doubt? Without A'ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces wouldn't be in the conversation for a championship. Again, the four-time WNBA MVP has put herself in pole position to clinch the prestigious award because of her all-around dominance on both sides of the ball. When it comes to crunch time, the Aces rely on Wilson to drag them over the line, as they will again in the postseason -- she really is one of one.
Rookie of the Year
Elaine: Olivia Miles
This one isn’t even up for debate. Miles has clearly been the best rookie this season, no matter how good players like Azzi Fudd, Sydney Taylor, and Kiki Rice have been.
Stephanie: Olivia Miles
Obviously.
Nathan: Olivia Miles
There have been some fantastic rookie performances this year, but Olivia Miles is untouchable in this category -- and should even be considered for MVP voting. Nobody expected the Minessota Lynx to be at the top of the standings this year, but here they are. Miles' offensive brilliance has been a sight to behold.
Defensive Player of the Year
Elaine: Shakira Austin
I originally went with Gabby Williams here, but the fact that she simply doesn’t play as much as other players makes it hard to justify her case as the most impactful defender in the W. Shakira Austin, on the other hand, has to be on the court a lot for the Mystics to win—which they do a lot. Austin anchors the second-best defense in the WNBA. That alone is impressive, but the fact that the Mystics are so young and still emerged as a legitimate playoff team makes it all the more impressive.
Stephanie: Angel Reese
Angel Reese has had one of the best 2026 seasons of anyone in the league, and that's a shift that began the second she was traded to the Atlanta Dream. The Dream are already a defensively tough team, and Reese has proven she has enormous potential has a two-way threat. She's strong across the board, and produces for the team in ways that aren't always represented by headlines and articles.
Nathan: Angel Reese
After going back and forth on my decision, I finally landed on Angel Reese. When she is on the floor, the Atlanta Dream have a defensive resilience that puts them in championship contention. Not only is she dominant in the paint, but her fast hands have been the catalyst for a devastating Atlanta transition offense. It should be noted that much of her grit and hustle doesn't make it onto a stat sheet.
Sixth Player of the Year
Elaine: Janelle Salaün
Just like Rookie of the Year, the Sixth Player of the Year race isn’t much of a race at all. Janelle Salaün has been the most productive bench player in the league all season long, contributing heavily to the Valkyries’ surge up the standings in their second season.
Stephanie: Janelle Salaün
There is no one else in the league more deserving of this award than Janelle Salaün. The Valkyries have always been good with their bench in their short existence as a team, and Salaün has demonstrated all season that it doesn't matter when you come into the game, it's about what you do once you're in there.
Nathan: Janelle Salaün
Everything about the Golden State Valkyries has run like clockwork in 2026; Janelle Salaün has been no different. The devastating forward is averaging 12.9 points while shooting 39.7% from deep as an impact bench player. With no starts to her name this season, this award shouldn't be up for discussion.
Most Improved Player of the Year
Elaine: Shakira Austin
Shakira Austin is having a career season, leading the Washington Mystics in scoring with 16.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. Besides significantly upping her averages in every one of those categories, she has also added a 3-point shot to her repertoire. Austin may not have made the jump into All-Star territory that Jessica Shepard and Marina Mabrey made, but she also wasn’t handed the keys to a team after spending her previous seasons as a role player. All three are deserving of the award, but, for me, Austin just fits my interpretation of the most improved player best.
Stephanie: Bridget Carlton
The Portland Fire has been one of the more fun teams to watch this season, and Carlton's rise as leader of the team has been a big part of that. She may not get the attention she deserves since she's been dealing with an ankle injury, but Carlton's impact on the young team has been enormous. She's averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, big increases across the board in terms of her career averages.
Nathan: Jessica Shepard
Jessica Shepard has been a reliable option throughout her career; however, in 2026 she has established herself as one of the league's most feared forwards. After averaging 8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in 2025, the 30-year-old has taken his production to a career-high of 14 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists this season. If Shepard could have made a bigger defensive impact for the Dallas Wings, she would have this award locked down.
Coach of the Year
Elaine: Sydney Johnson
This award could really go to any of Cheryl Reeve, Natalie Nakase, or Sydney Johnson. They are all deserving. However, what Johnson did with a team that features six rookie and three second-year players is just too impressive to ignore. The Mystics are way ahead of schedule as a legitimate playoff team that has taken down every single playoff team and will be a tough out in the first round with its physicality and defense.
Stephanie: Sydney Johnson
Coach of the Year could absolutely end up a three-way tie and Cheryl Reeve, Natalie Nakase, and Sydney Johnson would each deserve it. But if you have to pick, the fact that Johnson managed to steer a team that was ballyhooed as much for their youth as anything else into a playoffs team is remarkable, and he seems to have done so while having an excellent time. Johnson has inspired something great in his team, and that can't be taken for granted.
Nathan: Natalie Nakase
The Golden State Valkyries have been a franchise for just two seasons, and they are already in contention to clinch their first championship. The front office deserves credit for putting the foundations in place, but what Natalie Nakase has created is remarkable. Golden State has a clear identity in their style of play and, most importantly, has an incredible knack for winning games.
All-WNBA First Team
Elaine: A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Kelsey Mitchell, Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark
Stephanie: A'ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart
Nathan: A'ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart
All-WNBA Second Team
Elaine: Jackie Young, Paige Bueckers, Shakira Austin, Kayla McBride, Rhyne Howard
Stephanie: Gabby Williams, Paige Bueckers, Jackie Young, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese
Nathan: Paige Bueckers, Gabby Williams, Angel Reese, Allisha Gray, Jackie Young
All-Defensive First Team
Elaine: Gabby Williams, Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, A’ja Wilson, Shakira Austin
Stephanie: Gabby Williams, Angel Reese, A'ja Wilson, Rhyne Howard, Shakira Austin
Nathan: Angel Reese, Gabby Williams, A'ja Wilson, Shakira Austin, Jordin Canada
All-Defensive Second Team
Elaine: Kiah Stokes, Kayla McBride, Veronica Burton, Sonia Citron, Jordin Canada
Stephanie: Sonia Citron, Aliyah Boston, Veronica Burton, Emily Engstler, Kayla McBride
Nathan: Aaliyah Boston, Shakira Austin, Veronica Burton, Emily Engstler, Sonia Citron
All-Rookie Team
Elaine: Olivia Miles, Sydney Taylor, Azzi Fudd, Kiki Rice, Pauline Astier (My deepest apologies to the Seattle Storm. This is why the W needs another All-Rookie team)
Stephanie: Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, Sydney Taylor, Kiki Rise, Flau'jae Johnson
Nathan: Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, Sydney Taylor, Kiki Rice, Flau'jae Johnson
Most fun team of the season
Elaine: Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics fully embraced their role as the youngest team in the W and rolled with it. Combining those fun vibes with on-court success makes it impossible to root against them.
Stephanie: Portland Fire
Expansion teams have the opportunity to reinvent the wheel, and the Portland Fire decided to do exactly that. They finished up the season in the middle of the pack, and they had fun while doing so. The Fire has endeared themselves to fans and built a true culture around the team in only one season — they'll be enormously fun to keep watching next year.
Nathan: Atlanta Dream
Direct, aggressive, and physical. The Atlanta Dream have not backed down from any opponent they have faced. Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray have created a scintillating partnership on both ends of the court.
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