The new WNBA season will begin on Friday, May 16, and here are the candidates for this year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award to keep an eye on throughout the season.
Just two years ago, the MVP race was tightly contested among Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, and A’ja Wilson. Stewart won the award that year, followed by Wilson, who had a historic season and won her third MVP award just last year.
Can A’ja Wilson Win a Fourth WNBA MVP Award?
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, has established herself as the face of the league and its top player in recent years. Throughout the 2020s, she has won the Most Valuable Player award three times and led her team to back-to-back WNBA Championships, a feat not achieved since the Los Angeles Sparks did it in 2001 and 2002.
Wilson has many accolades she has accomplished throughout her career since being drafted No.1 overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2018 WNBA Draft. She has won back-to-back defensive player of the year awards in 2022 and 2023, led the league in blocks four times, and participated in six All-Star games.
“I want to be the best,” Wilson said, via ABC News. “Normally, you’re classified the best when you win games and you win championships, so that was my whole mentality coming into this offseason. It was a long offseason. It was a long, dull offseason because we lost. Sometimes you need that ‘L’ to wake you up.”
The Las Vegas Aces had a busy offseason, acquiring Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm in a trade that sent Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. They additionally brought in Dana Evans, Tiffany Mitchell through offseason acquisitions. Aaliyah Nye, a second-round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, impressed during the preseason.
Is 2025 the Year Napheesa Collier Wins the WNBA MVP Award?
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is coming off an impressive campaign with the team from last season. Throughout the postseason, she averaged 23.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 38.8 minutes per game for the team.
“With the MVP conversation, I think Napheesa Collier has an outstanding chance to win it this year,” Ryan Ruocco said Wednesday. “She was just sensational in the playoffs—The way she played on both ends of the floor, she’s the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. If it wasn’t for A’ja Wilson having the greatest regular season of all time last year, Napheesa Collier could have won her first MVP last year.”
Jordan Brand just announced they’ve signed Napheesa Collier on IG. pic.twitter.com/8VbzWv8h30
— shakeia (@curlyfro) May 16, 2025
On Friday, the Jordan Brand, led by Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, expanded its roster of top WNBA talent by signing Collier to a multi-year endorsement deal. Throughout the new season, she will headline key Jordan models such as the Heir series, joining Minnesota Lynx and UConn legend Maya Moore—who officially retired from the WNBA in 2023—fellow Jordan athlete Evans, and Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard
“By joining the Jordan Brand family, I’m now part of a legacy that has consistently redefined what’s possible in basketball,” Collier said in a statement, via ESPN’s Andscape. “This partnership feels especially meaningful because it connects my performance on the court with impact that extends far beyond the game itself.”
“When young girls see that iconic silhouette, I want it to inspire them to aim higher than they thought possible. It’s an honor to help carry forward a tradition that seamlessly blends athletic greatness with cultural significance.”
Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart won her third championship last year, marking her first victory with the New York Liberty. Over the years, she has established herself as one of the greatest forwards to play in women’s basketball history. She’s complied exceptional accolades with the UConn Huskies, Seattle Storm and New York Liberty throughout her career.
In the offseason, Stewart underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right meniscus and was recovering from the minor procedure and participated in the inaugural season of Unrivaled for Mist BC.
Caitlin Clark
Drafted No.1 overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024, Caitlin Clark has transformed women’s basketball and broke several records during her rookie campaign.
Referred to as the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” several teams in the league have switched to larger venues to draw in more fans and boost attendance whenever Clark and the Indiana Fever play on the road.
“Last year she finished in the top four in MVP voting,” Ruocco said. “We see the way she influences winning and just how impactful she is. And so I think she’s going to be a legitimate candidate.”
Clark took home last year’s Rookie of the Year honors and is currently the favorite among sportsbooks to win the 2025 WNBA MVP award.
Alyssa Thomas
Forward Alyssa Thomas has found a new home with the Phoenix Mercury after spending a decade with the Connecticut Sun. She is on a quest for a championship ring as she pairs with teammates Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally. Known for her toughness in the paint and strong defensive skills, she brings valuable playoff experience to the team.
I asked Mercury Assistant Coach Megan Vogel about Alyssa Thomas’ defensive role, & the value she adds:
“Man, what an asset it is to have someone of her capability offensively, be equally capable & intense on the defensive side.”
Notice her help in the Roamer role in clips below pic.twitter.com/LomBt0gEsY
— Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 (@StephenPG3) May 15, 2025
Phoenix Mercury assistant coach Megan Vogel sees Thomas as a mentor to players on the team and mentioned how Thomas has freedom in their defense.
“So, what I love is that she’s a great teacher, so she’s been helping all our players kinda get on board with how she plays, how she moves, what she sees (and) wants people,” Vogel said Wednesday, via PHNX Sports. Again, that’s gonna evolve as the season goes on. Man, what an asset it is to have someone of her capability offensively, be equally capable & intense on the defensive side.”
