2019 WNBA Rookie Report #2

By Christopher Zwart, Keith Geswein, Aseem Rastogi, Alyssa Graham, Ari Levin, and Aaron Barzilai

The remarkable year for WNBA rookies continues. Our ranking of the new blood in the league has changed a little in the past two weeks, but our leader for rookie of the year is still Napheesa Collier. Here’s the top five in our rookie power rankings through games played June 23rd:

1. Napheesa Collier (11.9 PTS, 5.3 REB, 2.0 AST 1.8 STL)
2. Asia Durr (12.0 PTS, 1.1 REB, 1.7 AST, 1.0 STL)
3. Arike Ogunbowale (11.4 PTS, 2.4 REB, 1.0 AST)
4. Teaira McCowan (5.6 PTS, 7.1 REB, 1.7 BLK)
5. Jackie Young (5.9 PTS, 3.4 REB, 3.8 AST, 1.1 STL)

Honorable mentions in alphabetical order: Kalani Brown, Kennedy Burke, Maite Cazorla, Megan Gustafson, Marina Mabrey, Jessica Shepard

1. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier continues to have a breakout season in her WNBA debut. Her near double-double with 19 points and 9 rebounds in last Saturday’s win over the New York Liberty solidifies her spot as our top rookie. Collier is making a name for herself this season, becoming the fifth rookie since 2000 to achieve at least 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals in a game. She has adjusted well to her new position in the WNBA, but may see a transition back to the post following teammate Jessica Shepard’s season-ending injury (ACL). Look for Napheesa Collier to continue to be a steady presence for a Lynx team finding their way among the personnel losses that continue to pile up (Seimone Augustus - injury; Jessica Shepard - injury; Lindsey Whalen - retirement; and Maya Moore - personal reasons). — Alyssa Graham

2. Asia Durr, New York Liberty

After shooting just 36% from the field in the first three games of her WNBA career, Asia Durr has settled in nicely for the New York Liberty. She has shot 32 of 65 (49%) from the field in her last six games, highlighted by a 20-point outburst against the Minnesota Lynx. She’s averaged 13.2 points since June 7th and only shot less than 50% in one game, New York’s clunker of a loss at Las Vegas. Settling in at about 30 minutes a game and with the Liberty’s roster significantly impacted by departures to EuroBasket, expect Durr to continue to make her mark as a pro this season. — Aaron Barzilai

3. Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings

After suffering a sprained ankle earlier this month, Ogunbowale had a career-high 25 points in Dallas’ loss to the Las Vegas Aces last Saturday. She also saw a career-high 35 minutes played. Although shooting just 30.6% from the paint and 23.5% from the three point range, expect to see Arike keep increasing her production as she continues to get into the WNBA groove and learn under the guidance of Skylar Diggins-Smith. — Alyssa Graham

4. Teaira McCowan, Indiana Fever

Rookie Teaira McCowan has made it harder for Fever opponents to score inside this season, as Sky forward Cheyenne Parker found out during their game on June 15, 2019. Photo by Kimberly Geswein

The 6-foot-7 rookie out of Mississippi State continues to provide the interior defense that Indiana lacked a season ago. Last year, Indiana was last in opponent field goal percentage (47.3%). This season, Indiana is second best in that category, holding opponents to 39.7% shooting through eight games.

McCowan is a big reason why. She leads the Fever and is tied for sixth in the league with 1.6 blocks per game. She is fourth on the team with 37 rebounds and ranks second on the Fever with 14 offensive rebounds. McCowan hasn’t looked to score on a consistent basis, but she has provided some timely baskets from offensive rebounds. During Indiana’s loss to Chicago on June 15, McCowan scored 6 of her 8 points from offensive rebound putbacks.

Fever coach Pokey Chatman realizes her rookie is learning a lot as she adjusts to the speed, size, and physicality of the WNBA. Even though McCowan is averaging just over 14 minutes per game, she is starting to see time in the fourth quarter of close games. She played 4 minutes, 47 seconds of the fourth quarter during Indiana’s 76–72 win at Dallas on June 13. Two days later, she played 3 minutes, 23 seconds in the final quarter of the Fever’s 70–64 loss to Chicago.

Chatman is confident that McCowan will improve as the Fever start to play teams for the second time this season.

After the Chicago game, McCowan talked about how she’s learning to track the ball when it comes off the rim in the WNBA. She also talked about what it was like to play five games in nine days. McCowan said she just focuses on the current day because if she looks ahead, things can get overwhelming quickly.

“I just try to focus on the day that I’m on,” McCowan said. “I just try to perfect my craft for that day each and every day.” —Keith Geswein

5. Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

In just over 20 minutes a game, Young has provided solid play for Coach Laimbeer and the Aces, much like she did at Notre Dame. Her current season is reflective of the Aces as a whole — still figuring out their identity as a young team with colossal expectations after adding Liz Cambage.

Young set her career high in points on June 9, 2019 against the New York Liberty with 11, and on the 14th scored 8 in 33 minutes. Her minutes were cut short in the following game when she only played 13 minutes and was 0–4 from the field with two rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

Look for Young to continue to play her normal 20+ minutes and share time with Tamera Young, Sugar Rodgers, and Sydney Colson as she develops her confidence and finds her niche in the league. — Aseem Rastogi

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