August 7, 2016
Former Connecticut Sun Center/Forward Kelsey Bone, who now plays for the Phoenix Mercury after a midseason trade was the winner of the 2015 WNBA Most Improved Player. In winning this award she raised her statistics in several categories. In scoring she went from 9.3 points in 2014 to 15.4 in 2015. Rebounding from 5.3 to 6.3 and assists to 2.0 from 1.4. Her field goal percentage also increased from 45.1 to 50.8 and among all WNBA players, Bone placed seventh in scoring and fifth in field goals made (6.8 per game). With 10 days left in the WNBA regular season the question is, who is the most improved player for the 2016 season? There are several players that have had much improvement this season starting with Elizabeth Williams of the Atlanta Dream. Tayler Hill from the Washington Mystics, Sugar Rogers of the New York Liberty and Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm should all be in the running for MIP and here’s why;
Elizabeth Williams was the fourth overall pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft to the Connecticut Sun. After one season with the Sun she was traded to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for the fourth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft. In her rookie season with the Sun Williams saw limited minutes and never seemed to find her rhythm with the team. Playing behind All-Star F/C Kelsey Bone cut into her time but playing behind a veteran allowed her to develop her skills and prepare herself for when her number was called. Her number being called came in the form of the Atlanta Dream who had a starting spot waiting for her to fill. Williams has been exceptional this season. After not starting a single game for the Sun last season, Williams has started every game for the Dream during the 2016 season. She is a defensive nightmare who is one of the best shot blockers in the league. A great rebounder who is also able to put the ball in the basket; Williams has helped the Dream to a 5th position in the WNBA standings.
STATISTICS: 2015 MPG 11.7 PPG 3.3 RPG 3.2 APG 0.4 BPG 0.9 SPG 0.2
2016 MPG 34.2 PPG 11.7 RPG 7.5 APG 1.3 BPG 2.4 SPG 0.8
Tayler Hill from the Washington Mystics is having a breakout season! After giving birth to her son Maurice in 2014 many were unsure of what her game would be like once she returned. Hill returned in 2014 but only played in five games that season. In 2015 Hill began to find her way back into the player she was during her rookie season and at Ohio State. Although she didn’t start any games in 2015 she helped her team earn a playoff birth and saw themselves one game away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. This season has been different for Hill. She has turned a corner and and is not looking back. Hill has started every game this season and is averaging a career-high 15.7 points per game. She gets to the free throw line as well as anyone in the league and her quick first step keeps defenders on edge.
STATISTICS: 2015 MPG 17.0 PPG 7.5 RPG 1.3 APG 0.9 SPG 0.9
2016 MPG 29.3 PPG 15.7 RPG 2.7 APG 2.8 SPG 1.1
Sugar Rodgers, the starting shooting guard for 3rd placed New York Liberty boasts some impressive stats this season. One of the main contributors on offense after Tina Charles, Rodgers has been a nightmare for defenders. Her 3pt field goal percentage is in the top five in WNBA and Rodgers has made the second most three pointers in the league this season at 82. Rodgers played a big role for the Liberty last season who won the Eastern Conference regular season but failed to reach the WNBA finals but she has elevated her game to a new level this year. Without Rodgers contributions, the Liberty certainly would not have their 20-11 record so far this season.
STATISTICS: 2015 MPG 18.7 PPG 8.1 RPG 2.2 APG 1.5 SPG 0.7
2016 MPG 31.2 PPG 17.7 RPG 3.7 APG 2.4 SPG 1.0
Jewell Loyd was named the 2015 WNBA Rookie of the Year. After being drafted the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft to the Seattle Storm Loyd led all first-year players in scoring with an average of 10.7 points per game. The Storm failed to make the playoffs but their new star gave the fans much to look forward to. The Storm lucked up again in 2016 and won the #1 pick in the 2016 draft. Picking up Breanna Stewart, Loyd now had a running mate to help bring the Storm franchise back to their winning ways. Loyd has been incredible this season. She had a career high of 32 points earlier in the season and has hit several game winners. She is the Storm’s second leading scorer and has her team in position to make the playoffs this season. In only her second season in the WNBA Loyd is already one of the best guards in the league.
STATISTICS: 2015 MPG 25.9 PPG 10.7 RPG 3.5 APG 1.9 SPG 0.5
2016 MPG 32.0 PPG 17.0 RPG 3.3 APG 3.4 SPG 1.3