Most Valuable Player (MVP) announcements have been highly anticipated since the start of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBA) regular season this past May. Players like Naphessa Collier, A’ja Wilson, and Alyssa Thomas have continued to make a case for the title of MVP, with Collier being the potential favorite. Last year, Wilson joined three other players in WNBA history to win MVP three times in 2024, winning it unanimously among the league, but the question remains -who should be named the MVP?
Naphessa Collier averages 23.9 points per game (PPG), 7.6 rebounds per game (RPG), and 3.4 assists per game (APG). Towards the end of the regular season, Collier sprained her ankle in a game against Las Vegas. Collier was out for three weeks, during which her team continued to show out, winning five out of the seven matchups. During her return on August 24, Collier put up 32 points against Indiana. Collier finished the regular season with a 50-40-90 shooting split, joining former WNBA player Elena Delle Donne as the only two to accomplish this in league history.
“Napheesa Collier leads the WNBA with points per game and she earned the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award. Her strong stats and leadership make her a solid MVP candidate. She could edge out A’ja Wilson because of her balanced play and the Lynx’s success.” junior Valeria Morales said.
While healthy, Collier has been able to help her team to success, with their team first in the league. Could Collier and her team pull off the win in the finals and be awarded MVP?
While Collier suffered her injury, A’ja Wilson made an intensive campaign for MVP. Wilson recorded eight double-doubles during the time Collier was out, and despite the Las Vegas Aces’ rocky start to their season, Wilson consistently put up the highest points in most games. Wilson did suffer an injury of her own in the middle of the season, setting her back for a couple of days, but she returned with a 32-point game and 16 rebounds. Wilson continues to average 23.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 3.1 APG, and provides multiple thirty-point games to help keep her team’s win streak alive. Wilson now holds the record for most thirty-point games in a season, having thirteen in total.
“A’ja Wilson would be such a strong contender for MVP because she dominates on both ends of the court. She rebounds, defends, contributes to her team’s points, and leads her team effectively.” Said senior Maddie Coutinho.
While Wilson is not unfamiliar with the title, this year might make it harder to obtain a fourth time with the competitive field of candidates.
Alyssa Thomas has also had a massive surge coming into this season. Although her statistics aren’t as high as Collier and Wilson, averaging 15.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG, and 9.3 APG, Thomas has recorded seven triple-doubles, making it the most in a season for any team. She also became the first person in league history to total 31+ assists in 2 games.
According to senior Parker Lowden, “I think that Alyssa Thomas is making a strong MVP case and should be recognised for her hard work. She sets a good example for what a good teammate should be. Her dedication to contributing to her team in all aspects, including points, rebounds, assists, and more is showing her overall talent.”
The playoffs begin on September 14, 2025. MVP and other awards will be announced shortly after the regular season concludes.
