WNBA Rookie of the Year: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
The WNBA Rookie of the Year award is given annually to the most outstanding first-year player in the league. The award is voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The award was first given in 1997 to Tina Thompson of the Houston Comets.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, a player must meet the following criteria: * Must be in their first WNBA season. * Must have played in at least 50% of their team's games. * Must not have previously played in another professional basketball league.
Selection Process
The WNBA Rookie of the Year award is voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The panel votes on a 5-3-1 system, with each voter ranking their top three rookies. The player with the most points wins the award.
Past Winners
Some of the most notable past winners of the WNBA Rookie of the Year award include: * 1997: Tina Thompson, Houston Comets * 1998: Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics * 2000: Betty Lennox, Minnesota Lynx * 2001: Jackie Stiles, Portland Fire * 2003: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever * 2004: Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury * 2005: Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx * 2006: Cappie Pondexter, Phoenix Mercury * 2007: Armintie Herrington, Atlanta Dream * 2008: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks * 2009: Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream * 2010: Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun * 2011: Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx * 2012: Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks * 2013: Elena Delle Donne, Chicago Sky * 2014: Chiney Ogwumike, Connecticut Sun * 2015: Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm * 2016: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm * 2017: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces * 2018: Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky * 2019: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx * 2020: Crystal Dangerfield, Minnesota Lynx * 2021: Michaela Onyenwere, New York Liberty
Conclusion
The WNBA Rookie of the Year award is one of the most prestigious awards in the league. It is given annually to the most outstanding first-year player in the league. The award is voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Some of the most notable past winners of the award include Tina Thompson, Chamique Holdsclaw, Diana Taurasi, and Maya Moore.
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