i would just like to see two (2) Storm players on the All-Rookie Team at the end of the season. we should get at least one, namely Dojkić. Horston’s hurt shoulder may be a dealbreaker for her chances unfortunately, but we shall see.
In May, a few rookies stood out as they adjusted seamlessly to the pro game. Others took a little more time to pick up the speed of the action and find their comfort zones while digesting new and complex offensive and defensive schemes. Now, a full month and a half into the WNBA season, we’re getting a clearer picture of the 2023 rookie class and who’s making a mark.
As the summer rolls on, I’ll continue a rookie watch, ranking the top five in the league and the next five still in the mix. For June, the top two remain the same. 1. Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever Previous rank: 1
Boston’s incredible rookie campaign hasn’t slowed down. She earned back-to-back rookie of the month honors in May and June, and she was deservingly voted to the All-Star starting lineup by fans, media members and players. Her overall field goal percentage has dropped from a ridiculous 67 percent to a still-ridiculous 64.4 percent and leads the league, and her points (15) and rebounds (8.5) per game are up. Boston also leads the Fever in points per play. What’s even more mind-boggling is how her Player Efficiency Rating (26.6) has remained steady and consistent even through another full month of play. She’s now fifth in the league in PER, behind MVP-caliber players Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Brittney Griner and Jackie Young. That’s impressive company to be in as a rookie. 2. Diamond Miller, Minnesota Lynx Previous rank: 2
Since Miller returned from an ankle injury in late June, the Lynx have been on a four-game winning streak. Granted, Minnesota has been playing better as a team, but having Miller back on the floor at full strength has been beneficial. Through the winning streak, she’s averaging 15.7 points and looks as if she hasn’t missed a beat. Miller is also shooting better from the floor at 43.8 percent (up from 36.6 in May), and her points per game jumped from 10.4 to 12.8. She seems much more disciplined and comfortable. According to The Next Hoops, the estimated Win Share loss with Miller out for eight games is .90. As one of four Lynx players averaging double-digits, she’s making a definite impact. 3. Ivana Dojkić, Seattle Storm Previous rank: NR
Though Dojkić started her rookie season slow, playing only two games in May, June was a much different story. Dojkić has been more than a sufficient answer to Seattle’s point guard question, earning a starting role in the process. She has quickly learned how to set up the offense, distribute the ball efficiently, get good reads on defensive schemes and control the pace. Dojkić also can hit consistently from 3, averaging 40.5 percent from the perimeter. She’s averaging 8.7 points and 3.6 assists per game, continuing to grow and evolve her game in the process.
4. Jordan Horston, Seattle Storm Previous rank: 6
Like her Storm teammate, Horston came alive in June and has made big strides. Seattle head coach Noelle Quinn has her playing in the frontcourt at the four position, which has pinned Horston against some of the league’s best forwards and post players, such as A’ja Wilson, Alyssa Thomas, Candace Parker and Natasha Howard. Despite the adjustment to the speed, strength and height of the pros, Horston has not only held her own but also improved. Her numbers are up, averaging 6.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and she’s shooting 33.3 percent from the field (up from 23.3 percent in May). Her efficiency around the rim will come with more court time and experience and as she gets a better feel for the power forward spot. 5. Morgan Bertsch, Chicago Sky Previous rank: 3
After a hot start, Bertsch was hampered by an ankle injury in late May that kept her out of commission for eight games. But she has picked up right where she left off. Since her return in mid-June, Bertsch is averaging 16 minutes, seven points and 3.6 rebounds per game. She’s shooting 48.8 percent from the field and better than 40 percent from 3 on the season. It took a few games for Bertsch to get her feet under her again, but she played more than 20 minutes in each of Chicago’s last two games. With James Wade stepping down as head coach and Emre Vatansever taking over, the Sky might make some adjustments to rotations and schemes. But Bertsch should remain a consistent piece. Still in the mix 6. Haley Jones, Atlanta Dream Previous rank: 8
Jones took a big leap after five games into the season, getting increased playing time because of team injuries. And she rose to the occasion for the Dream, averaging 6.5 points and 4.4 assists in 29 minutes over the past seven games. Atlanta has since gotten healthy, and Jones’ minutes have been cut, but she’s still making the most of every opportunity when she steps on the court, helping Atlanta secure back-to-back wins in its past two games.
7. Dorka Juhász, Minnesota Lynx Previous rank: 9
Juhász’s minutes have steadily increased as she’s gotten more confident. She’s averaging 21.9 minutes (up from 16 in May), 4.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Her production has increased, which is good for the Lynx. But Juhász is still shooting well below what she is capable of from the perimeter at 22.2 percent. She averaged around 30 percent at UConn. Still, as with other rookies on this list, there’s plenty of time to evolve and improve as the season goes on. 8. Zia Cooke, Los Angeles Sparks Previous rank: 4
Cooke came out cooking (I couldn’t help it) for the Sparks, racking up 14 points in her first game as a pro. She has cooled off since, and her minutes throughout June have been erratic, going from 25 minutes in one game to just 3.5 in another. Part of the reason for the change in minutes is Destanni Henderson, who was signed by Los Angeles on a hardship contract in mid-June and has made a strong impact. Henderson and Cooke have swapped minutes, depending on whichever backcourt combination coach Curt Miller seems to think has the momentum. But in the past three games, Cooke has played more minutes, averaging roughly 20 per game along with 10.6 points. 9. Nyara Sabally, New York Liberty Previous rank: 10
Sabally didn’t see any game action until late May, but she scored six points and snagged three rebounds in her WNBA debut. She’s averaging 3.4 points and 2.6 minutes in roughly 10 minutes per game for the Liberty. With a stacked roster of All-Stars, coach Sandy Brondello knows there’s no need to rush Sabally along. The talent and potential are there, and she’s still getting a feel for the game as she works her way up the rotation. 10. Li Meng, Washington Mystics Previous rank: NR
Meng’s playing time has steadily increased since the beginning of the season. She didn’t play in her first WNBA game until late May and saw only two minutes of action. But like other rookies mentioned above, June has been a month of opportunity. Meng’s experience playing in China has made her adjustment to the WNBA that much easier, and it shows in how comfortable she is on the court. She’s a sharpshooter from the perimeter at 42.9 percent, and she takes good care of the ball. Though she’s back in China competing in the Asia Cup, Meng will have a chance to resume a growing role with Washington when she returns.
The biggest [question] is who should be on the All-Rookie team at this point?
Boston Miller Dojkic Juhasz
Horston? Jones? Sabally? Bertsch?
here at the halfway point, i have Boston (ROY), Miller, Dojkić, Horston, and Juhász in that order. Bertsch and Li Meng may make a push for a spot; ditto Fankam Mendjiadeu for the Storm – esp. if she continues to start for us, but i of course do not expect this (unless………👀 hehe).
in terms of true rookies older than the 'normal' 19-24 range – cuz that’s not already a wild age range at all! – we have Ivana ”Eevee” Dojkić (25), Morgan Bertsch (26), Li Meng (28), and the Sky’s Robyn Parks (30). Khaalia Hillsman (26) also appeared this season in a single game for the Sky – her first one.
Aliyah Boston and Diamond Miller look like potential all-stars. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Jordon Horston look like solid starters. A couple more will emerge, I'm sure.
Certainly better than the last couple years, but the WNBA needs a great draft -- which is hopefully coming in 2024 -- and then a series of strong ones to not only build up the weaker existing teams but also make expansion viable in terms of talent.
The "rookies" in their mid-20s can be expected to be nice rotation players but like any professional sport, the WNBA needs stars, especially athletic ones.