September 30, 2016

As the WNBA semi-finals continue on Friday with both the #1 and #2 seed’s up 1-0 in a best of 5 series, the league announced their final post season awards. No surprise to any, but more than deserving, Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm was named 2016 WNBA Rookie of the Year Presented by Samsung. Stewart led all first-year players in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots this season. She also led the Storm to the WNBA playoffs, who had missed out on postseason play for the past two seasons. Stewart was one of three unanimous selections (Jefferson, Powers) to the All-Rookie Team. Joining her are Moriah Jefferson of the San Antonio Stars, forward Aerial Powers of the Dallas Wings, center Imani Boyette of the Chicago Sky and guard Tiffany Mitchell of the Indiana Fever. As the changing of the guards continue throughout the league, there were three announced retirements during the 2016 season, the future looks bright for the WNBA as this core of young talent will take the league to new heights.

2016 WNBA POSTSEASON AWARDS;

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: NNEKA OGWUMIKE (LA Sparks)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: SYLVIA FOWLES (Minnesota Lynx)

• WNBA All-Defensive First Team Alana Beard, Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Briann January (Indiana Fever).

• WNBA All-Defensive Second Team Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), guard Tanisha Wright (New York Liberty), Jasmine Thomas (Connecticut Sun).

SIXTH WOMAN OF THE YEAR: JANTEL LAVENDER (LA Sparks)

MOST IMPROVED: ELIZABETH WILLIAMS (Atlanta Dream)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: BREANNA STEWART (Seattle Storm)

• WNBA All-Rookie Team Moriah Jefferson (San Antonio Stars), Aerial Powers (Dallas Wings), Imani Boyette (Chicago Sky), Tiffany Mitchell (Indiana Fever).

COACH OF THE YEAR: CHERYL REEVE (Minnesota Lynx)