With the WNBA’s regular season in the books, it was time to hand out some awards to some well-deserving players and coaches.
Regardless of if the 2020 season were to be played in a wubble or at home arenas, A’ja Wilson was a preseason pick by many Wundits to claim this year’s MVP award given it is now her third year in the W.
Those wundits were correct.
𝗠 𝗩 𝗣!
A six-four forward from South Carolina, your 2020 @WNBA Most Valuable Player, A’JA WILSON!!!
Congratulations @_ajawilson22! 🙌👏#ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/51nE9KHHWg
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 17, 2020
ICYMI: @_ajawilson22‘s #WNBA 2020 MVP announcement on @ESPN‘s The Jump. pic.twitter.com/YT0UQ9Jw2x
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 18, 2020
🗣️ Hear from the first-time MVP @_ajawilson22! pic.twitter.com/V624nqfTGD
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 17, 2020
Light it 🆙
Tonight, the skyline in @ColumbiaSC is glowing garnet in honor of Gamecock legend @_ajawilson22 who was just named @WNBA MVP. 🏆
We’re so proud you’re a Gamecock, A’ja. pic.twitter.com/ThRNPr0BCN— Gamecock Athletics (@GamecocksOnline) September 17, 2020
The MVP award is likely to be one of many for South Carolina’s very own as her career is just getting started. She averaged 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, two assists and two steals while leading the Aces to the top seed in this year’s WNBA playoffs.
Awards day was also well received in Minnesota. Prior to the season, expectations were low for the Lynx after a first-round exit from last season’s postseason. Also – with names such as Sabrina Ionescu and Chennedy Carter higher up on everyone’s radar, it was to be expected that the Rookie of the Year trophy would likely be bestowed upon either Ionescu or Carter.
Instead – both were hampered by injuries and it cleared a path for the Lynx’s Crystal Dangerfield to claim the honors.
The moment @crystald2_ found out.
🎥 » @WNBA pic.twitter.com/Ie2VeVwTw9
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 17, 2020
Betty.
Mone.
Maya.
Phee.
and now…Crystal. pic.twitter.com/zgFqIHwxu0
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 17, 2020
And remember…Phee was last year’s Rookie of the Year (much to the chagrin of Dallas Wings fans and Arike Ogunbowale stans) meaning the Lynx have now gone back-to-back season where the Rookie of the Year has gone to Minnesota’s WNBA team.
Dangerfield was not even a first-round draft pick. She is the first-ever second round selection to claim the award. She averaged 16.2 points and 3.6 assists per game. UConn does it again.
🏆 𝙍𝙊𝙔 𝙭 𝘾𝙊𝙔 🏆 pic.twitter.com/DLsV47rOX7
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 17, 2020
.@minnesotalynx’s Cheryl Reeve wins the @WNBA Coach of the Year award! 👏 pic.twitter.com/0jzhF9sgIF
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 17, 2020
Here’s something: When Cheryl Reeve got back to her room tonight, a bottle of champagne was waiting for her. congrats on coach of the year, the note said. It was from Wolves coach Ryan Saunders.
— Kent Youngblood (@BloodStrib) September 18, 2020
Given how the Lynx went from possibly on the verge of a rebuild to back among the WNBA’s elite teams is a testament to its coach – and why her coaching tree has spread to other W teams such as the Chicago Sky (James Wade) and New York Liberty (Walt Hopkins).
In addition to her four championships and two previous Coach of the Year awards, Reeve can now add 2020 Coach of the Year to an already illustrious resume.
