The WNBA has went through a quarter of the 2026 season and the MVP race has started to take shape. As we have been accustomed to A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Alyssa Thomas battle it out the past couple of years, this season shown us new faces in the MVP race who have entered the conversation and are helping elevate their teams.

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces (Previous ranking: N/A)

2026 stats: 25.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists

Since opening night through the first quarter of the season, no one has sustained a higher level of play than A’ja Wilson. The four-time MVP won Western Conference Player of the Month for May and has been dominant on both ends of the floor this season. Wilson is averaging 25.1 points (52.0 FG% 54.5 3PT%), 9.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while adding 2.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Wilson currently leads the league in blocks, ranks second in scoring, and sits seventh in rebounding.

Wilson is averaging a career high in points per game and expanding her range on the court, attempting a career-high 2.2 three-point attempts per game. She is making 54.5 of the shots beyond the arc.

The reigning WNBA Finals MVP wanted the team to start the season off better than last year, where the team started 5-5 after the first 10 games. They have done that and Wilson’s defensive impact while carrying a significant responsibility on the offensive end continues to separate her from the rest of the field. The Aces have won three consecutive games and to improve to 7-3 and have been impressive on the road, where they own a 6-1 record.

Wilson is the frontrunner in the MVP Power Rankings until someone can take it from her.

2. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx (Previous ranking: N/A)

2026 stats: 17.2 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds

The Minnesota Lynx selected Olivia Miles with the No. 2 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft and she has outperformed the most optimistic expectations so far this season. Miles is averaging 17.2 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting an efficient 51.9 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three-point range.

Miles has immediately become one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Her ability to control pace and knowing when to use it is very advanced to be in the first 11 games of the season. A true pick & roll maestro creating for teammates, manipulating defenses and making advanced reads has transformed Minnesota’s offense. Her vision is exceptional, threads passes with either hand, delivering from any angle. Then when you lose focus anticipating her pass, she’ll score on you.

Perhaps most importantly, the Lynx are winning. Minnesota owns the league’s best record at 9-2 and enters the week with a seven-game winning streak. When the best team in the league is led by a rookie producing at an All-WNBA level, that player deserves serious MVP consideration.

Cheryl Reeve also deserves a ton of credit for what she done with this team. One of her most impactful decisions was moving Courtney Williams to shooting guard and entrusting rookie Olivia Miles with starting point guard duties on day one. Reeve has navigated adversity all season. The Lynx lost several key contributors from last year’s 34-10 squad, suffered the season-ending loss of Emma Čechová, and have also spent the season without Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhász. Despite those challenges, Minnesota sits at the top of the league with a special rookie in Miles and veteran group.

3. Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings (Previous ranking: N/A)

2026 stats: 18.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.6 rebounds

Paige Bueckers continues to prove she belongs among the top players in the league and this year she is showing that she is among the very best.

The second-year guard is averaging 18.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc. She currently ranks ninth in scoring and eighth in assists, showcasing the balanced offensive game that made her the Rookie of the Year.

Bueckers is averaging a career high in assists as she made the move to the point guard position a few games ago and has thrived in creating opportunities for her teammates. In Bueckers previous game, she dished out 14 assists and only had one turnover. Bueckers is the ninth player in WNBA history to record 14 assists w/ one or fewer turnovers, tied Arike Ogunbowale’s franchise record for most assists in a game and recorded her third points-assists double-double of her career. Bueckers is also averaging a career high in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and three-point attempts as she wanted to take more shots from three-point range this season.

Being an All Star and All-WNBA Second Team as a rookie set a high standard early in Bueckers’ career and she has built on it. She looks even better this season, visibly stronger after adding muscle to her frame and took a clear step in leadership. Where last season she was finding her place and trying not to step on toes, this season she has become more vocal as a leader of the team. The growth in leadership and improved talent has carried the team to the best start in franchise history since becoming the Dallas Wings.

Bueckers is reshaping the direction of the Wings, leading the team in points and assists. The franchise has already reached seven wins through its first 10 games and currently owns a four-game winning streak, its longest since the 2023 season. Dallas needed 24 games to reach seven wins last year.

Bueckers’ poise, efficiency, and ability to elevate those around her have made her one of the most impactful players in the league and a legitimate MVP candidate.

4. Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks (Previous ranking: N/A)

2026 stats: 25.5 points, 6.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds

Plum has been the most explosive scorer in the WNBA, leading the league with 25.5 points per game while adding 6.4 assists and shooting an incredible 58.7 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three-point range. She also ranks fifth in assists, highlighting her value as both a scorer and facilitator.

Individually, Plum’s production has been spectacular. She is averaging a career high in points, assists, field goal percentage and three-point percentage. Sparks identified championship experience when adding talent this offseason with the additions of Nneka Ogwumike, Ariel Atkins and bringing back Dearica Hamby. With a more veteran-led supporting cast around her, Plum is having the best start to a season in her entire career.

However, MVP discussions often include team success, and that’s why Plum trails the players ahead of her. The Sparks currently sit at 5-6, making her the only player in the top four whose team is below .500. If Los Angeles begins climbing the standings, Plum has the statistical profile to make a serious push up to rival A’ja Wilson for the top spot.

Plum has played in 8 of the Sparks 11 games, missing three games due to ankle injury. Sparks are 4-4 with Plum this season with a 113.1 offensive rating and shooting 49.6% from the floor, 1-2 without Plum with a 101.7 offensive rating and shooting 40.6% from the floor.

5. Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream (Previous ranking: N/A)

2026 stats: 19.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Allisha Gray rounds out the MVP power rankings, fresh off winning Eastern Conference Player of the month for May.

Gray has quietly put together one of the strongest seasons of her career, averaging 19.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. She is averaging a career high in scoring and shooting 42.9% from the floor. Gray currently ranks sixth in the WNBA in scoring and has helped lead Atlanta to a 7-3 record.

Her season has unfolded in two distinct stretches. Through Atlanta’s first six games, Gray averaged 21.7 points while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from three-point range. Over the last four games, her scoring has dipped to 16.8 points per game on 35.3 percent shooting and 31.8 percent beyond the arc.

The encouraging sign for Atlanta is that Gray’s defense remains solid and her assists doubled during that stretch, helping offset some of the decline in her efficiency by creating more for other teammates.

Even after Gray’s hot start to the season has cooled off just a bit, she remains the Dream’s offensive engine and a major factor to the team’s early success after a a great offseason building their roster.

Next three:

Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

Jessica Shepard, Dallas Wings

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

The MVP Race Begins

A’ja Wilson opens the power rankings off as the MVP favorite one quarter into the season, but the players behind continue their strong performances.

Miles has taken the league by storm being the primary playmaker for the league’s best team in her rookie year. Bueckers has helped lead one of the WNBA’s biggest turnarounds. Plum continues to post NBA 2K stats helping the Sparks find their way and Gray has helped the Dream remain among the top of the standings.

With most of the season still to play, the MVP has just begun. But through the first quarter of the year, these five players have separated themselves from the pack.

Here’s a breakdown of my picks for the 2025 end-of-season awards:

Most Valuable Player: Napheesa Collier

Collier finished her most complete campaign to date, as she led the Minnesota Lynx to the best record in the league. Collier shot 53.1% overall, 40.3% beyond the arc and 90.1% from the free throw line. Collier is just the second player in WNBA history to hit 50-40-90 in a season: Elena Delle Donne (2019) Napheesa Collier (2025). Collier is the only one of the two to average above 20 points per game.

This decision came down to the wire as A’ja Wilson was dominant in the second half of the season for the Las Vegas Aces, I went back and forth between Collier and Wilson multiple times throughout the season. Alyssa Thomas should be highlighted as well, the engine behind Phoenix Mercury’s resurgence to a top four seed.

My MVP Vote:

1. Napheesa Collier

2. A’ja Wilson

3. Alyssa Thomas

4. Allisha Gray

5. Kelsey Mitchell

Defensive Player of the Year: Gabby Williams

Williams is the definition of a “defensive stopper”. The forward stood out every time I watched the Storm play, including the ability to defend multiple positions at an elite level, switch across multiple actions without giving up position, generating steals and deflections, the impact is felt while observing.

It’s tough to have Wilson in my voting as the runner up for the MVP and now DPOY but I do. Wilson was a force on both of sides of the ball and the defense was just as good as her offense. This selection also came down to the wire but overall I selected Williams.

All-Defense

First Team

• Gabby Williams

• A’ja Wilson

• Alanna Smith

• Alyssa Thomas

• Napheesa Collier

Second Team

• Veronica Burton

• Rhyne Howard

• Breanna Stewart

• Ezi Magbegor

• Saniya Rivers

Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase

In her first full season as a head coach and the coaching leader of an expansion team, Nakase led the Golden State Valkyries to the playoffs in their first WNBA season. That achievement alone stands out as the first time it has been done in league history. The team created an identity and culture that the local fans poured into. Under Nakase’s leadership, the players displayed passion, determination and discipline.

Karl Smesko also deserves recognition after leading the Atlanta Dream to their best season in franchise history.

Rookie of the Year: Paige Bueckers

Bueckers looked like a veteran as soon as she stepped on the WNBA floor. Her mid-range is already elite, post game, ability to control pace, make plays for her teammates and ability to collect steals and deflections made her the clear top rookie in a strong class. Bueckers also averaged 19.2 PPG, the highest by a rookie in franchise history and third all-time in rookie points, third in rookie assists, and tied for the second-most double-digit scoring games by a rookie.

Sonia Citron also deserves recognition after her incredible performance this season, but it’s hard to think about this award not going to Bueckers.

All-Rookie Team

• Paige Bueckers

• Sonia Citron

• Kiki Iriafen

• Dominique Malonga

• Janelle Salaün

6th Player of the Year: Naz Hillmon

Hillmon was truly a sixth starter for the Atlanta Dream. Even coming off the bench, her value was the same as the starters. She was the glue of the team by doing things that didn’t show up in the box scores. Hillmon brought toughness, rebounding, and consistency to her team’s second unit.

Natisha Hiedeman’s performance the last two months deserves consideration but I ultimately stayed with the selection of Hillmon.

Most Improved Player: Veronica Burton

Burton is a game manager who doesn’t turn the ball over and locks up on defense, a true coach’s point guard. I always said she’s a starter in this league since her time in Dallas. Burton found a team that let her play her game and took a massive leap in production. Burton is now a top point guard in the WNBA and it’s not just due to minutes and stats, but the confidence and vocal leadership she’s gained with Golden State. Burton is a two-way guard who helped lead the Valkyries to the playoffs in their first season of existence.

Burton was the only choice for me here, this award was for her this season.

All-WNBA

First Team

• Napheesa Collier

• A’ja Wilson

• Alyssa Thomas

• Allisha Gray

• Kelsey Mitchell

Second Team

• Jackie Young

• Paige Bueckers

• Nneka Ogwumike

• Sabrina Ionescu

• Aliyah Boston

Collier, Wilson, and Thomas were locks as the top three candidates for MVP. Gray and Mitchell rounded out my All-WNBA First Team due to their standout production this season.

The second team was tough to select as there were more players who were worthy. I ended up selecting the additional five players who stood out to me this season in Young, Bueckers, Ogwumike, Ionescu and Boston.

The selection of All-Star starters is conducted through a combination of voting by fans (50 percent of the vote), current WNBA players (25 percent) and a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters (25 percent). Separately, once the starters are known, the WNBA’s head coaches will vote to determine the All-Star Reserves.

This year is my third season as a WNBA media voter and I believe in transparency, these are the 10 votes I submitted to the league.

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FRONT COURT (6 players)

Napheesa Collier

Season: 24.4 points per game, 8.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

Collier continues to get better each season and this season, she is the playing like the MVP. Collier is the top scorer in the league and leading the Minnesota Lynx to a 12-2 record. The 6’1” forward is the leading MVP candidate thus far and ranks fourth in blocks per game and sixth in rebounds per game. Collier also ranks sixth in the league for steals per game (1.8).

Breanna Stewart

Season: 21.0 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game

Stewart has showcased her dominance in the 2025 season for the New York Liberty, as she ranks second in the league in scoring while making a significant defensive impact. Though her three-point shooting has slipped, she remains highly efficient in the mid-range and in the post. On the defensive end, Stewart consistently disrupts opponents with her help defense and strong one-on-one coverage.

Alyssa Thomas

Season: 14.4 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game and 8.9 assists per game.

Thomas continues to fill up the stat sheet in the 2025 season. The playmaking ability, toughness, and defensive tenacity are key drivers behind the strong start with the Phoenix Mercury and team success on both ends of the court. Thomas is tied for the most assists per game in the league and averages 1.7 steals per game. The Mercury have the third best record in the league at 11-4 and Thomas has played a crucial role in elevating’s the team’s performance and retooled roster.

A’ja Wilson

Season: 21.3 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game, 2.8 blocks per game and 2.0 steals per game.

Wilson remains a significant force on both offense and defense for the Las Vegas Aces. Wilson ranks second in the league in points and steals, while leading the league in blocks. Wilson is also posting a career-high average in assists, highlighting her growth as a playmaker. Although the Aces continue to adapt to roster changes and injuries, Wilson’s leadership remains essential.

Nneka Ogwumike

Season: 17.7 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game and 1.5 steals per game.

Ogwumike is having a standout season and continues to dominate on both ends of the court. The leadership has been key for the Seattle Storm, who had roster changes, such as losing a franchise cornerstone in Jewel Loyd. Ogwumike’s efficient scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence make her one of the league’s most consistent players.

Aliyah Boston

Season: 15.6 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game and 1.3 blocks per game.

Boston has been a key player for the Indiana Fever, stepping up during tough stretches in the first half of the season. Boston’s efficient scoring, rebounding and passing make her deserving for an All-Star starting spot. She leads all centers in assists and shooting 59.3% from the floor.

Next on the list: Gabby Williams, Satou Sabally, Dearica Hamby

BACK COURT (4 players)

Allisha Gray

Season: 19.7 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game.

Gray is having a career year, displaying a strong all-around game. Gray’s enhanced playmaking, timely execution in key moments, and veteran leadership have played a crucial role in lifting the Dream’s offense under first-year head coach Karl Smesko. The 6’0” guard is shooting 42.9% from three and leading the Atlanta Dream to a 10-5 record. Gray has been key in the team’s early success and earned Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors in the month of May.

Caitlin Clark

Season: 18.2 points per game, 8.9 assists per game, 5.0 rebounds per game and 1.6 steals per game.

Clark ranks among the league leaders with 8.9 assists per game. Clark has four double-doubles and one triple-double this season. The Fever hold a 5-4 record when she plays, compared to 2-4 without her. Even through injury setbacks and a recent slump, Clark continues to create quality scoring chances for both herself and her teammates.

Sabrina Ionescu

Season: 19.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 5.1 assists per game and 1.7 steals per game.

Ionescu is having a standout 2025 season for the Liberty, sustaining high-scoring on a talented team with multiple players who can put the ball in the basket. Ionescu is averaging five assists per game at the shooting guard position next to a point guard in Natasha Cloud, who distributes the ball at a high level. Ionesco has also improved her defense, which has been a key part of New York’s league-best 11-3 record.

Paige Bueckers

Season: 17.7 points per game, 5.8 assists per game, 4.7 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game.

Bueckers is the fastest player in WNBA history to reach the 200-point, 50-rebound, 50-assist mark, doing so in just 11 games with the Dallas Wings. Her game is defined by efficiency, making the right plays and having arguably the best mid-range game in the WNBA. Bueckers ranks sixth in assists per game and 12th in scoring. Bueckers is showcasing her ability as a team defender as she ranks fifth in steals per game. Bueckers is not only the top rookie but one of the top players in the league.

Next on the list: Skylar Diggins, Jackie Young

The USAB team was announced earlier this year. The players included Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun), A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces). The 2024 WNBA season will take a month break during mid-July to mid-August, to allow players to play for their country in Paris during the Olympics.

Even with the USAB team announced, media still submit 10 votes for the 2024 All-Star Game, the top six frontcourt players and top four backcourt players as you determine them to be acr, including perhaps those already named to the Olympic roster.

Once the top 10 vote-getters are collected, the players on USAB’s roster is removed and anybody in that top 10 who’s not on USAB’s roster automatically gets added to team WNBA. The next 36 highest vote-getters are provided to the WNBA head coaches, who will vote to fill the remaining spots on Team WNBA.

These are the 10 votes I submitted to the WNBA (alphabetical order).

FRONT COURT (6 players)

Napheesa Collier

Season: 21.4 points per game, 10.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Collier is one of four players averaging a double-double and to lead the Lynx at the top of the Western Conference. The 6’1” forward ranks fourth in points per game and fourth in rebounds per game. Collier also ranks second in the league for steals per game (2.2) and tied for seventh in blocks per game (1.4).

Dearica Hamby

Season: 17.8 points per game, 10.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Hamby is the leading candidate for Most Improved Player this season, showing she is one of the top players in this league. Hamby has the most defensive rebounds (150) in the league. The versatile forward is also one of four players to average a double-double this season.

Jonquel Jones

Season: 16.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game

The 6’6” center leads the league in field goal percentage (59%) on 10.8 shots per game, including 43.6% from beyond the arc. Jones is having the best efficiency in a season thus far and finding a rhythm in the second season with the Liberty, displaying the skillset that made Jones a 4x all-star and MVP in Connecticut.

Breanna Stewart

Season: 19.7 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game and 4.0 assists per game, 2.2 steals per game.

Stewart well-rounded games keeps her as one of the top players in the league annually. The 6’4” forward is second in offensive win shares and third in defensive win shares in the league. Stewart ranks fifth in points per game, 10th in rebounds per game, 13th in assists per game, fourth in steals per game and tied for seventh in blocks per game (1.4). The Liberty have the best record in the league and the reigning MVP continues to dominate opponents.

Alyssa Thomas

Season: 12.1 points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game and 7.6 assists per game.

Thomas is the engine for the Sun on both sides of the court. That trait makes AT a huge reason the team sits with the second best record in the league. Thomas leads the WNBA in assists per game, ranks fifth in rebounds per game, eighth in steals per game (1.6).

A’ja Wilson

Season: 28.0 points per game, 11.3 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per game, 2.4 blocks per game and 1.9 steals per game.

The leading candidate for MVP this season, Wilson, is just on another level. Ever since she was voted 4th in MVP voting by a media person, still a huge mystery who that is, Wilson has raised her game it has been special to see. Another title and Finals MVP run leading into this season, where she is averaging a career high in points per game, rebounds per game, steals per game and blocks per game. The 6’4” post leads the league in points per game, rebounds per game, blocks per game, PER and win shares. Wilson is one of four players to average a double-double this season.

BACK COURT (4 players)

Kahleah Copper

Season: 22.6 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game.

Copper has had a short transition in Phoenix, as she ranks third in points per game. You are guaranteed certified buckets when you watch the 6’1” guard play and that’s what the All-Star Game represents.

Sabrina Ionescu

Season: 19.3 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 6.7 assists per game.

Ionescu is quietly having a great season, averaging a career high in points per game, assists per game. The 5’11 guard ranks third in assists per game, seventh in points per game. Ionescu continues to get better each season, also a very good rebounder for her size.

Arike Ogunbowale

Season: 23.9 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 5.1 assists per game, 2.6 steals per game.

Ogunbowale has always put points on the board but I am voting for her predominately for her improving her game outside of scoring. Ogunbowale is averaging a career high in rebounds per game, assists per game and steals per game. Although effiency could be better, I give Ogunbowale a pass this season as she has had so many starters injured this season. The 5’8” guard has had to take the most shots and minutes in her career to keep the team afloat just to stay in games, she is averaging a career high in points per game, ranks second in the league this season. Ogunbowale ranks ninth in assists per game and first in steals per game.

Jackie Young

Season: 18.4 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 5.7 assists per game.

Young is a quiet person but her game is loud. The 6’0” guard continues to show the value she brings to the reigning champions, Aces. Young is averaging a career high in points per game, assists per game and rebounds per game. Young ranks eighth in points per game and sixth in assists per game. I am not worried about the dip in three-point percentage for Young as point guard Chelsea Gray was out with an injury. You expect to see Young back off-the-ball more, which will bring her three-point percentage up with more open shots being set up by Gray but you saw Young take on more usage and display a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio.