Breanna Stewart Named MVP of 2023 WNBA Season, Surprising Runner-Up Alyssa Thomas & Disappointed A’ja Wilson
Breanna Stewart, the talented forward for the New York Liberty, has been crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023 WNBA season. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) awarded Stewart with this prestigious title last week, marking her second MVP award in her illustrious career.
Stewart’s exceptional performance throughout the season earned her a total of 446 points in the final ballots, narrowly surpassing her strong contenders. Alyssa Thomas, the forward for the Connecticut Sun, secured the second position with 439 points, followed closely by A’ja Wilson, the forward for the Las Vegas Aces, who fell just short with 433 points.
Stewart’s phenomenal contribution to the Liberty undoubtedly made her a deserving recipient of this honor. She finished the season as the second-highest scorer in the league, averaging an impressive 23 points per game. Additionally, she showcased her dominance on the boards by grabbing 9.3 rebounds per game. Her exceptional performances not only elevated her team to the league’s second-best record of 32-8 but also solidified her reputation as one of the WNBA’s top players.
On the other hand, many expected Alyssa Thomas to emerge as the favorite for the MVP award. Thomas had a historic campaign, regularly flirting with triple-doubles throughout the season. With remarkable averages of 15.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, Thomas established herself as a force to be reckoned with. She even managed to achieve six triple-doubles, setting a new record for the most triple-doubles in a single season. Fans were undoubtedly shocked by her second-place finish, considering her exceptional performance.
A’ja Wilson, who aspired to join the renowned list of WNBA players with three MVP awards in their careers this season, will have to wait for that achievement. Despite an outstanding season, where she averaged 22.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, Wilson failed to capture enough attention from the voters. In a shocking twist, one voter even placed her fourth on their ballot. Although undoubtedly disappointed, Wilson’s exceptional defensive skills still landed her the title of Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Notably, she led the league with an average of 2.2 blocks per game.
These results have ignited conversations around the league, with fans expressing their surprise and disappointment. While Breanna Stewart’s MVP victory is well-deserved, Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson’s remarkable performances undoubtedly brought them close to claiming the prestigious award. Nonetheless, the WNBA has once again witnessed the extraordinary talent and skill that these star players bring to the court.
