Lez Ball's 2024 Season Winners
We've reached the end of the regular season. So here are our picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and more.
Happy end of the 2024 WNBA season everyone! And what a season it’s been. First and foremost, I’d like to thank you all for going on this ride with us. We had our ups and certainly had our downs. And Karina picked a fight with everyone in the league except her wives. But before we get ready for the playoffs let’s look back on the regular season with Lez Ball’s season winners.
MVP: A’ja Wilson
We all knew before this season was even close to ending that A’ja Wilson would get MVP. She was a woman on a mission. And you know what? Mission accomplished. She broke the single-season scoring record and became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a single season. If that wasn’t enough, just look at the rest of her stats this season:
Congratulations to you Miss Wilson. It is well deserved.
MVP Runner-up: Napheesa Collier
Phee made sure everyone didn’t forget about her in the MVP race. Things started off normally before the Olympic break, and she did sit out a few games due to an injury that may have put a dent in her stats. But she went off after the break. She was blocking shots and her overall defensive presence scrambled the other team’s offense like eggs on a Sunday morning. On the offensive end, her tenacity was Unrivaled (see what I did there?). The opposing team’s defense was torn asunder.
Defensive Player of the Year: DiJonai Carrington
When NaLyssa Smith tweeted that DiJonai Carrington should be defensive player of the year, we wholeheartedly agreed. Sure, she isn’t number one in blocks or steals. But it’s her aggressiveness on the defensive end that gets her this award. She is guarding one through five and will get in anyone’s face. It’s hard to attempt a shot when you have someone hassling you nonstop. What Carrington does on the court doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but it was essential in helping the Sun get that win streak early the season and the #3 spot.
Runner-up: Cameron Brink
“But she only played for a month and half!” I know! And she’s still second on the season blocks list! How many shots was she blocking that to this day no one can catch up? Well, 2.3 per game according to the WNBA offical stats. What an insane stat for a rookie! But it’s not just her shot blocking, it’s her dedication to rim protection. Maybe she’s didn’t block the shot, but she’s going to be in your face making sure you have a hard time even getting a shot off. And you know you have a special player when a rookie is able to block A’ja Wilson.
I can say with 100% certainty that if she had not torn her ACL she would have been named defensive player of the year by official sources and not just two rando lesbians on the internet.
Most Improved: Dearica Hamby
Dearica Hamby was another woman with a mission this year. She came over to the LA Sparks and decided “You’re going to know my name.” Her stats in scoring and rebounds per game effectively doubled from last season. Additionally, her free throw percentage and 3-point shooting have improved significantly. Hamby is also second overall for points scored in the paint. It’s definitely thanks to her that the Sparks had the most rebounds in a game this season with 49. She’s become a leader and team’s rock. They can always depend on Hamby no matter how many points they’re down. With the way Hamby played this year, she could be on track to be in MVP contention for the 2025 season.
Runner-up: Sabrina Ionescu
Now hear us out! Most people would not even think to consider Sabrina for this. Why? Because of the 3-point records she set last season. Sure, that’s all fine and good. But Sab really upped her game this season. She’s not just shooting logo 3s, she’s driving to the basket. And her floater game is on point. Besides that, she’s really evolved as a point guard. No doubt learning from Diana Taurasi during her time on the national team and taking pointers from The General herself, Courtney Vandersloot. Her ability to lead on the floor saw a massive improvement from last season. She’s only going to get better from here.
Rookie of the Year: Angel Reese
It’s really hard to argue with 15 consecutive double-doubles. She’s also become the season leader in rebounds, averaging 13.1 a game and the season leader in second chance points. But beyond her scoring and rebounding capabilities, it’s her leadership on the court and on the bench. No one asked her to do this, this is just the type of player she is. Even when she’s benched due to injury she’s still supporting her team. Her absence sent Chicago on a losing streak that eventually saw them dropped out of the playoffs. It wasn’t just her rebounding they were missing, but her guidance on the floor.
Runner-up: Rickea Jackson
Early in the season, Rickea Jackson often came off the bench and acted in a support role. After the Olympic break the Sparks suffered another round of devastating injuries and Jackson stepped up. Big time. Her offensive was so aggressive, defenders didn’t know what to do with her. Her defense was so in your face and that despite being last on the table, the Sparks are fifth in steals per game. It’s certainly possible that most of the media will overlook Jackson’s accomplishments this season, but we’d like to give her a shout out.
Lesbian of the Year: Breanna Stewart
This shouldn’t come as a surprise for long-time followers of Lez Ball. Stewie has been the Liberty’s steady heart beat. She always comes in clutch when they need her. Sure she’s made some WNBA history this season, anyone remember her dropping 38 points and 18 rebounds? But individual awards don’t seem to matter to her. This season it’s all about the team winning that championship. She lead the Liberty to the top of the regular season table and will no doubt carry them to the finals. This season she is fourth in points per game and fifth in fast break points. But it’s what she’s doing that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet that really makes a difference. She’s leading her team, at times even becoming the floor general. Her defensive presence has been key in protecting the paint. Most notably, her ability to dictate the game’s pace has evolved so much that some matches become a game of Stewie Says.
Runner-up: Diana Taurasi
I mean what can we say about DT that hasn’t already been said? She’s in her 20th season and still playing with as much passion as a rookie. When players 10 years younger than her are gassed, she’s still going strong. Double overtime fatigue who? DT doesn’t know her. She is the league’s all-time scoring, FG made, 3-pointers made, free throws made leader. And, well, the league’s all-time leader in personal fouls. But hey, it’s DT. What did you expect? Plus, DT never fails to make us laugh even in the most serious of moments.
This may be DT’s last season and I might throw up when she announces her retirement. I’ve never known a WNBA without Diana Taurasi. But her legacy will be felt long after she’s gone.
2024’s Most Underrated Player: Brittney Griner
It is so surprising that hardly anyone is talking about what a great season it’s been for BG. She finished the regular season #1 in field goal percentage, #4 in blocks per game, #2 in true shooting percentage, and #3 in points in the paint per game. Not bad when you consider she had an injury this season. Oh, did you forget about that because you were blinded by her stats? Completely understandable.
Favorite Moments from the 2024 Season
Getting Heated
It was so nice of Togethxr to compile this video of Karina’s favorite WNBA moments.
Let the Bodies Hit the Floor
Sabrina Ionescu can shoot logo 3s. She can get in the paint and nail a floater. Her mid-range game isn’t bad either. But did you know she could also shoot from the floor? Her power.
Bonk
We all know Stewie can shoot and block shots. But did you also know she can set amazing screens? Better not get caught sleeping when Stewie is setting screens like this or you’ll collapse like a flan left in a cupboard.
Only One Eye? No Problem!
Its hard enough to play basketball when you have two working eyes. But you get down to one and you can still ball? You’re just built different. And Jewell Loyd managed to do just that.
Seeing Gray
All-Star weekend is always a great time to let loose and just have fun. But it’s also a great time to shine the spotlight on players who may not get as much attention during the regular season. That is essentially what the 3-point contest and the skills challenge are all about. And this year, Allisha Gray made history by winning both.
Let us know about your favorite WNBA moments in the comments!