2019 WNBA Rookie Report #4
Her Hoop Stats takes a look at the Rookie of the Year race since the All-Star break.
As the 2019 WNBA is season winding down, the race for this season’s Rookie of the Year is heating up. In what looks like a three-player race, we take a look at how this season’s top rookies are faring heading down the stretch.
- Napheesa Collier (12.9 PTS, 6.4 REB, 2.5 AST 1.9 STL)
- Arike Ogunbowale (17.7 PTS, 2.4 REB, 2.8 AST)
- Teaira McCowan (9.6 PTS, 8.8 REB, 1.3 BLK)
Little has changed in our top-3 rankings since our first report. However, Teaira McCowan has upped her game in the last few weeks, forcing herself into consideration for Rookie of the Year honors.
1. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Our top rookie since our first Rookie Report, Collier has continued to impress on the floor. Since the All-Star break, she has averaged 15.9 PPG on 54.3% shooting. All told, Collier is averaging 1.24 PPSA since July 27. She has also improved her free-throw shooting, increasing her average each month from 76.9% in May to 84.4% in August. Her consistent improvement throughout the season, along with guiding her team to a playoff spot, makes her this author’s choice for WNBA Rookie of the Year.
2. Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Arike Ogunbowale has become a force to be reckoned with in the WNBA as she has improved in almost every scoring category since the start of the season.
Despite a dip in her three-point percentage in July, Ogunbowale’s shooting has improved dramatically since the start of the season.
Her 29.9% usage rate is good for second in the league. Combine that with her league-leading 24.4 PPG in August, Ogunbowale has made a push to overtake the top spot in the rookie rankings.
3. Teaira McCowan, Indiana Fever
Teaira McCowan has done everything she can to make this a three-player race for ROY. In ten games since the All-Star break, McCowan has averaged a double-double, putting up 15.1 PPG and a league-leading 10.3 REB. She has also improved her ability to get to the foul line from 2.1 free throw attempts before the All-Star break to 8.1 since.
In this author’s opinion, Napheesa Collier is leading the way for Rookie of the Year honors. Who do you think will take home the hardware?
If you like this content, please support our work at Her Hoop Stats by subscribing for just $20 a year. All stats are compiled from WNBA.com for games through August 30, 2019.
