The 2023 WNBA regular season will wrap up this Sunday and with that it is now time for the final WNBA Rookies Watch for the season. You can view last week’s post here.
Rookies Watch – 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year & All-Rookie Team
This is the final WNBA Rookies Watch of the regular season. I will now write about my pick for the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year and which rookies should be on the All-Rookie Team this season.
*notes – stats are from games played up until September 5th*
- Aliyah Boston – Indiana Fever
Aliyah Boston has been the number #1 rookie on my rookies watch posts in 95% of my posts this season. She played 31.2 minutes per game and averaged 14.5 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game and 1.3 blocks per game. She shot 58.2% FG from the field. Her PER (Player Efficiency Rating) was 23.2 which was 7th in the league. That’s terrific and that is why she is my choice for the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She’s been consistent, steady and a star for the Indiana Fever.
2. Diamond Miller – Minnesota Lynx
Diamond Miller has shown that she has star potential in her rookie year. She’s been so good that she replaced Aliyah Boston as the #1 rookie in one of my rookie posts this season. In 25.6 minutes per game, she averaged 11.7 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. She shot 42.1% from 2 point percentage and shot 80.2% from the free throw line. Her star potential and ability to help the Lynx this season is why she should be on the All-Rookie Team.
3. Jordan Horston – Seattle Storm
Jordan Horston has been a good contributor for the Seattle Storm in her rookie year. She’s been among the top rookies mentioned above and has remained consistent. In 22.3 minutes per game, she averaged 7.2 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 1.3 steals per game. Her potential to become a great player in the league was shown throughout her rookie season and that is why she should be on the All-Rookie Team.
4. Dorka Juhász – Minnesota Lynx
Dorka Juhász has been a solid player for the Minnesota Lynx in her rookie year. She’s been among the top rookies mentioned above in my WNBA rookies watch posts throughout the season. In 23.8 minutes per game, she’s averaged 6.1 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. She shot 47.6% from the field and 53.5% from 2 point percentage. Her potential to become a great player in the league was shown in her rookie season and that is why she should be on the All-Rookie Team.
5. Zia Cooke – Los Angeles Sparks
Zia Cooke deserves some attention in her rookie season. Throughout the entire season, I had her among the top 4 or 5 rookies in many weeks so she deserves a spot on my final WNBA rookies watch post. In just 14.0 minutes per game, she averaged 4.6 points per game. She showed flashes of her potential to be a solid role player for the Sparks this season and that is why she should be in consideration for the All-Rookie Team.
6. Maddy Siegrist – Dallas Wings
Maddy Siegrist is also very deserving of some kind of attention in her rookie season. Because the Dallas Wings are the fourth best team in the league, she did not recieve enough minutes to play but she did make the most of her minutes when she did play. In just 8.3 minutes per game, she averaged 3.9 points per game and 1.6 rebounds per game. She shot 50.9% from the field and 53.7% from 2 point percentage. Her PER was 19.4 which was 23rd in the league and that is why she should be in consideration for the All-Rookie Team
Honourable Mentions
Haley Jones – Atlanta Dream
Haley Jones showed flashes of her potential to be a solid player in her rookie season with the Atlanta Dream. In 14.9 minutes per game, she averaged 3.8 points per game and 2.4 assists per game. She was on my rookies watch posts from early to mid WNBA season.
Grace Berger – Indiana Fever
Grace Berger showed flashes of her potential to be a solid player with the Indiana Fever in her rookie season. In 14.4 minutes per game, she averaged 4.1 points per game and shot 43.8% from the field and 42.7% from 2 point percentage.
Finally, a special shoutout goes to Li Meng of the Washington Mystics. Because there are so many incredible rookies, I wasn’t able to give her the same kind of attention that the other rookies got. In just 15.9 minutes per game, she averaged 5.6 points per game. She showed flashes of her potential to be a solid player for the Mystics in her rookie season.
That wraps up this season’s WNBA rookies watch posts. The 2023 WNBA Playoffs are just right around the corner, so make sure to tune in and keep up with all of the action.
Women's Basketball News and Opinions 