WNBA Rookies Watch – Rookies leaving their mark

We are now coming closer to the mid-point of the WNBA season and it is now time for another bi-weekly update on this year’s rookies. The third edition of this year’s WNBA Rookies can be found here. It is now time to rank the top 5 rookies who shined during the latest round of games.

*Please note, these are games played from June 16th to June 29th, 2026*

WNBA Rookies Watch – Week 4 – Rookies Leaving Their Mark

1, Sydney Taylor – SG – Chicago Sky

There is a new #1 rookie who stepped up during these past two weeks. Her name is Sydney Taylor and she plays for the Chicago Sky. She’s scored in double-figures in all of the games during these past two weeks. She’s only had one game in which she shot the ball poorly and still managed to score in double-figures. She’s also done her best in terms of rebounding and assists. She scored a career-high 29 points against Portland on June 26th and had a career-high four assists in the other game against Portland on June 24th. She also limits her turnovers and is doing her best despite her team’s struggles. Her personal struggles is that she gets into foul trouble. She fouled out of the game against Dallas on June 20th and had five fouls against New York on June 17th. She has a bright future ahead and I will look forward keeping an eye on her in WNBA Rookies Watch.

2. Olivia Miles – PG – Minnesota Lynx

Olivia Miles drops down to the second spot in this week’s edition of the WNBA Rookies Watch. She’s still been an excellent player, but she struggled against Golden State and was held to single-digits for the first time this season. She also committed a career-high six turnovers. She’s still the favourite for the Rookie of the Year award because she bounced back and scored three consecutive 20+ points games. She also scored a career high 31 points in the game against LA on June 17th. As mentioned in previous WNBA Rookie Watch posts, she struggles with three point shooting and turnovers. In the last two weeks, she shot 26.68% from three. She’s also averaged 4.8 turnovers per game.

3. Flau’jae Johnson – SG – Seattle Storm

Flau’jae Johnson remains in her current position of being the third best rookie in this edition of WNBA Rookies Watch. She continues to grow and develop her game to keep getting better. She scored a career high 28 points against New York on June 25th. She had an impressive double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds in a win against Atlanta on June 27th. She was held to single digits against Portland on June 17th. She’s been working on trying to get a triple-double. She’s had games in which she’s had high assists, high rebounds, but never quite gotten close to securing the triple-double.

4. Awa Fam – C – Seattle Storm

Awa Fam continues to grow and like Flau’jae Johnson, remains in her current spot. She is the fourth best rookie in this edition of WNBA Rookies Watch. During these past two weeks, she’s scored in double-figures in all but one game. She’s scored a career high 21 points against Atlanta on June 27th. She had a career high 10 rebounds against Phoenix on June 20th. She shot the ball incredibly well except for one game and during these past two weeks, shot extremely well from three. She shot a remarkable 68% from three. As she continues to get better, look for her to climb the ranks in future WNBA Rookie Watch posts.

5. Azzi Fudd – SG – Dallas Wings

Azzi Fudd slips down three spots to the last spot in this week’s edition of WNBA Rookies Watch because she did not play her best during these past two weeks. She still managed to score a career high 26 points against Seattle in an overtime win on June 22nd but was held to single-digits against Las Vegas on June 25th. She shot the ball poorly except for one game. What was impressive is her defense. She had a career high 5 steals against Golden State on June 17th and four blocks against Chicago on June 20th.

Honourable mention: Madina Okot, C, Atlanta Dream