As the 2026 WNBA season moves deeper into June, several award races are beginning to take shape. While there is still plenty of basketball left to be played, enough games have been completed to identify the players and coaches who have separated themselves from the competition. Injuries, team performance, and second-half surges can always change the landscape, but these are the strongest predictions for each major WNBA award.
Most Valuable Player: A’ja Wilson
Even with the Las Vegas Aces’ somewhat rocky start, A’ja Wilson remains the clear MVP favorite at this stage of the season. No player in the league combines elite scoring, rebounding, rim protection, efficiency, and leadership quite like Wilson. She continues to serve as the foundation of Las Vegas on both ends of the floor while producing numbers that rank among the best in the WNBA.
What separates her from many other stars is her consistency. Even on nights when her shot is not falling at its usual rate, she still positively impacts the game through defense, rebounding, and playmaking. With the Aces firmly positioned among the W’s contenders, Wilson has the strongest overall case for yet another MVP award.
Biggest MVP Contenders
Breanna Stewart
Stewart remains a legitimate challenger because of her complete two-way game and championship pedigree. The New York Liberty rely heavily on her scoring, rebounding, defense, and leadership, and she continues to produce at an elite level. While her stats may not currently match Wilson’s across every category, Stewart has the talent and track record to make a serious push if the Liberty finish with one of the WNBA’s best records. A dominant second half could quickly move her into the center of the conversation.
Angel Reese
Reese has emerged as one of the biggest stories of the 2026 WNBA season. Her rebounding numbers have been among the best in professional basketball, and she has expanded her game beyond simply controlling the glass. The Atlanta Dream’s rise has coincided with her growth as a scorer, defender, and emotional leader. If the Dream continue to outperform expectations and challenge the league’s top teams, Reese could receive significant MVP support from voters who value her impact on winning.
Paige Bueckers
Bueckers entered the season carrying over enormous expectations from last year and has largely lived up to them. Her efficiency, poise, and ability to control games have helped accelerate the Dallas Wings’ development. She may not be the top favorite at this point, but few players possess a higher ceiling over the remainder of the campaign. If the Wings continue to sit high in the standings and Bueckers produces several more signature performances, she could become one of Wilson’s strongest challengers by the end of the year.
Olivia Miles
Olivia Miles has rapidly emerged as one of the most impactful players in the WNBA despite being a rookie. While first-year players rarely receive serious MVP consideration, Miles has already become a crucial piece for the Minnesota Lynx, keeping them one of the league’s top teams. Her court vision, passing creativity, pace control, and overall passion have transformed Minnesota’s offense and helped elevate the play of the teammates around her. What makes her candidacy particularly intriguing is that she contributes in virtually every category without needing to dominate the game or chase scoring numbers. If the Lynx finish with one of the best records in the league and Miles continues producing at an All-WNBA level, she could become the first rookie in years to earn significant MVP support from voters.
Rookie of the Year: Olivia Miles
Speaking of Miles, she has quickly established herself as the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year as well. Minnesota needed to draft a player who was ready to be an immediate contributor on a championship-contending team, and Miles has done exactly that. The 23-year-old has demonstrated advanced playmaking instincts, consistent effort, and impressive decision-making for a first-year player, and she constantly makes the correct read. Her all-around impact has easily made her one of the most valuable rookies in the W, and she currently sits atop the race.
Defensive Player of the Year: Natasha Howard
Another Lynx makes the list. Natasha Howard earns the edge in this prediction because of her versatility and reliability as a defensive anchor, impacting games through blocks, defensive rebounds, and strong positional awareness. Few players can switch across multiple positions while maintaining the same level of effectiveness, but Howard’s experience allows her to anticipate plays before they develop, making her one of the smartest defenders in the league. While several stars remain close behind, Howard’s ability to influence every area of the court gives her the strongest case through the first portion of the 2026 WNBA season.
Sixth Player of the Year: Chennedy Carter
Chennedy Carter, who could also be named the Comeback Player of the Year, has embraced her role off the bench for the Aces and become one of the W’s most dangerous reserves. Her ability to create efficient offense instantly changes the complexion of games, especially when opposing second units struggle to contain her speed and shot creation. Las Vegas has benefited from having a player capable of providing starter-level scoring without requiring a starting role. If she remains in this position throughout the season, she will definitely remain the favorite for Sixth Player of the Year.
Most Improved Player: Carla Leite
Carla Leite has made one of the most dramatic leaps in the WNBA this season. Increased opportunities with the expansion Portland Fire have allowed her to showcase a much broader skill set, and she has responded by becoming a key offensive piece. Her confidence, shot creation, and playmaking have all improved significantly, and continued growth throughout the summer would strengthen her already impressive case. The Most Improved Player award often rewards those who transform from role players into major contributors, and Leite fits that description better than almost anyone in the league..
Coach of the Year: Jose Fernandez
Jose Fernandez has emerged as the leading Coach of the Year candidate thanks to the rapid progress of the Wings’ rebuild. Newly formed squads often face difficult adjustment periods, but Dallas has displayed offensive firepower, competitiveness, cohesion, and discipline well beyond what many expected entering the 2026 WNBA season. Fernandez has successfully developed young talent in Bueckers and new draft pick Azzi Fudd while establishing a fresh defensive identity that allows the team to compete in nearly every game, leading the team to its best start in over a decade. If the Wings remain in playoff contention, his coaching performance will be difficult for voters to ignore.
Bonus honors
Breakout Star Most Likely to Receive Major Award Votes: Angel Reese
Reese deserves additional recognition beyond her MVP candidacy because of the significant leap she has taken as a complete player. Her rebounding remains elite, but she has added greater offensive polish and improved consistency. More importantly, her performances have translated into team success. Players who combine statistical production with meaningful wins tend to gain traction in award voting, and Reese appears positioned to receive consideration across multiple categories by the season’s end.
Player Most Likely to Surge During the Second Half: Paige Bueckers
While Bueckers has already enjoyed an outstanding start, there is a reason to believe her best basketball is still in front of her. Young stars often become more comfortable as they gain experience against professional defenses, and Bueckers continues to show signs of growth. Her scoring efficiency, decision-making, and leadership have already impressed anyone who watches her regularly. If she takes another step forward during the second half of the campaign, she could emerge as one of the biggest stories in the W and elevate herself into several award discussions.
The WNBA season is still far from finished, and several races remain open enough for a strong second-half push to change the outcome. But for now, Wilson remains the player to beat for MVP, Miles has established herself as the Rookie of the Year favorite, and Fernandez has built one of the strongest coaching resumes in the league. If current trends continue, these names will remain at the center of award conversations throughout the summer and into the final weeks of the regular season.
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