The WNBA MVP race will be between A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, but others could be deserving as well. You can’t deny Wilson or Stewart being top candidates, but there are three underrated candidates that I like this year.
Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx
Napheesa Collier started slowly, but she has come into her own. With Sylvia Fowles out due to a calf injury, Collier has stepped up along with rookie Crystal Dangerfield. Collier in her second season is averaging 15.6 points 8.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. The second-year player has also stepped up on the defensive end as well, with 1.8 steals per game. Collier is shooting 49.3% from the field and 45.5% from three. She does not take many three’s, but when Collier does, she knocks them down. You can see the growth in Collier’s game from year one to year two; she has made incredible strides.
Candace Parker Los Angeles Sparks
After last seasons disappointing lost and benching in the playoffs, Candace Parker came into the season in the best shape she has been in for a while. Parker’s scoring is down with 13.3 points per game, but she leads the WNBA in rebounding with 9.4 rebounds per game. Parker is playing great all-around basketball; her defense has been outstanding so far this season. The former Lady Vols star is seventh in defensive win shares with 0.179 and has a 92.8 defensive rating; Parker has been taking charges and been all over the court. She is averaging 1.4 steal and 1.3 blocks per game. You can see Parker came into this season focused and ready to do it all for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Courtney Vandersloot Chicago Sky
Courtney Vandersloot is playing fantastic basketball for the Chicago Sky. Vandersloot is a floor general, and she leads the WNBA in assist with 8.7 per game. At the point guard position, Vandersloot can do it all; if she is needed to score, she could do that too. She is averaging 13.4 points per game. Over the last four games, Vandersloot has dished out 39 assists and only seven turnovers. Vandersloot is a smart basketball player; she knows when she has to score and knows when she needs to get her teammates involved. Over the last week, Vandersloot has taken her game up to another level.
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