2026 WNBA Awards: A'ja Wilson claims fifth MVP, Olivia Miles dominates Rookie of the Year

With four days remaining in the 2026 WNBA regular season and official ballots due Friday, ESPN released its final award picks from four panelists: Michael Voepel, Alexa Philippou, Kendra Andrews and Kareem Copeland. Most categories found clear favorites. A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces earned the unanimous MVP selection, her fifth MVP and fourth in five years. Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles was ESPN's pick for Rookie of the Year and also the MVP runner-up. In the MVP race, Wilson led the WNBA in scoring with 26.1 points per game, blocks with 2.0, player efficiency rating with 32.4 and win shares with 8.6. She ranked fourth in rebounding at 9.3 per game. Wilson turned 30 in August and battled back issues that kept her out of the FIBA World Cup, yet she remained dominant. Her fifth MVP places her alongside Peyton Manning and behind Wayne Gretzky, Barry Bonds and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar among the most decorated players in American professional sports. Olivia Miles, the No. 3 draft pick, posted 21 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals in her debut. She set a WNBA rookie scoring record, won every Rookie of the Month award, and recorded seven games with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, trailing only Caitlin Clark on the all-time rookie list. Miles became the 10th player in league history with 30 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in a game. Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries was ESPN's Defensive Player of the Year choice. The Valkyries allowed just 74.8 points per game, the only team under 80, and held opponents to 41.5% shooting. Williams posted a 99.1 defensive rating and anchored the league's best defense. Angel Reese of Atlanta Dream was the runner-up after leading the league in defensive win shares. Jessica Shepard of Dallas Wings won Most Improved Player honors. She averaged 31.6 minutes per game and was on pace to become the first player in WNBA history to average at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. She also led the league with five triple-doubles and posted 23 double-doubles. Shakira Austin was the runner-up after boosting her scoring by more than four points per game and helping Washington return to the playoffs. Janelle Salaun of Golden State won Sixth Player of the Year. She averaged 12.9 points in 22.9 minutes, shot 39.7% from 3-point range on 6.1 attempts, and posted a strong net rating. Marine Johannes was the runner-up. Cheryl Reeve of Minnesota Lynx was the unanimous Coach of the Year choice. Despite losing Napheesa Collier for much of the season and starting with only two returning players, Reeve guided the Lynx to the league's best record and developed Miles into a star. Washington Mystics coach Sydney Johnson was the runner-up after leading the youngest playoff team in league history to 26 wins. The 2026 awards will be finalized after Friday's ballot deadline, but the on-court stories already made this season one to remember.