2019 WNBA Rookie Report #3
We’re just over a third of the way through the 2019 season and the race for WNBA Rookie of the Year is heating up. Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier continues to lead the pack, but Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale and Indiana’s Teaira McCowan have upped their games over the last couple of weeks, so the chase is on.
- Napheesa Collier (11.6 PTS, 5.6 REB, 2.4 AST 1.9 STL)
- Arike Ogunbowale (14.1 PTS, 2.4 REB, 2.2 AST)
- Teaira McCowan (7.1 PTS, 7.9 REB, 1.7 BLK)
- Asia Durr (11.1 PTS, 1.6 REB, 1.8 AST)
- Jackie Young (5.5 PTS, 3.0 REB, 4.5 AST, 1.1 STL)
1. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Steady as she goes for this year’s best rookie to date. Near the top of every major statistical category for rookies, Napheesa Collier has yet to give up the top spot this season in our rankings. In her two most recent games, against Connecticut on July 6 and Chicago on July 10, Collier scored a total of 23 points on 40.1% shooting. Collier’s game is so well rounded that even in games where she struggles to score, she still makes an impact. In Minnesota’s July 2 game against Atlanta, when she only went 2–7 from the field, Collier still managed to grab 11 rebounds (including five offensive), dished three assists and tallied two steals en route to a 85–68 victory. Efficiency has been the name of the game for Collier as she averages 1.15 PPSA on the season, highest among rookie starters.
2. Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Ogunbowale is making her case for Rookie of the Year through sheer force of will. Since our last Rookie Report, she has scored an incredible 17.8 points per game, which led all rookies during that stretch. She’s dropped over 20 points three times this season, including 23 and 22 against Connecticut and Chicago, respectively. Dallas has relied heavily on her offensively, as she leads all rookies with a 27.6 USG%. However, that reliance has likely contributed to Ogunbowale averaging only .85 PPSA.
3. Teaira McCowan, Indiana Fever
McCowan has been on a tear for the past two weeks. Over her last four games, she’s averaged 10 points (on 57.9% shooting) and 9.3 rebounds. Unfortunately, McCowan’s efforts haven’t helped the Fever in the win column as they have gone 3–7 over their last ten games. However, with McCowan improving every game, Indiana hopes to turn things around as they continue to fight for a playoff spot. Head coach Pokey Chatman spoke about Teaira after the Fever’s July 10 game against Las Vegas. “It’s tough to keep that team under 10 (offensive rebounds) and that’s something McCowan helps us with,” said Chatman, whose team limited Vegas to seven offensive rebounds. “She’s going to give us an opportunity because she can affect so many other areas of the game, even when she doesn’t touch the basketball, because when she rolls she’s going to draw attention and other people are open.”
4. Asia Durr, New York Liberty
The Liberty have gone 4–1 over their last five games, with Durr averaging 9.6 points while shooting 50% from the floor. On the season, she’s averaging 46.7% shooting, which is second among all rookies who average more than 12 minutes per game. Her 1.08 PPSA ranks third among rookie starters.
5. Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
While she continues to log big minutes with Las Vegas, averaging over 23 per game, Young’s struggles have continued. Since June 25, she has only shot 23.1% from the floor, and averaged only 4.1 points per game. Young will need to improve her efficiency as she is averaging only .77 PPSA, which is the fourth lowest average among rookie starters. However, she currently leads all rookies with 4.5 assists and a 3.78 assist-to-turnover ratio.
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