It’s that point of yr once more — the WNBA is again tomorrow! With a extremely anticipated season forward, the league will function its first enlargement staff since 2008—The Golden State Valkyries. With that, the league carried out a rise in common season video games (44), and the league now has a complete of 13 groups.ƒdecent
Earlier than the season ideas off, a handful of gamers are poised to make a robust case for the 2025 WNBA Most Improved Participant award. With former Connecticut Solar DiJonai Carrington taking house the award final yr, who will likely be topped MIP this season?
Let’s check out my high candidates for the award, the present odds, and my predictions beneath!
2025 WNBA Most Improved Candidates and Predictions
PlayerTeamOdds
Rhyne HowardAtlanta Dream+650
Rickea JacksonLos Angeles Sparks+650
Kamilla CardosoChicago Sky+850
Shakira AustinWashington Mystics+1000
Aaliyah EdwardsWashington Mystics+1400
Gabby WilliamsSeattle Storm+1600
Kate Martin Golden State Valkyries+1600
Leonie FiebichNew York Liberty+1600
Caitlin ClarkIndiana Fever+2000
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks (+650)
Rickea Jackson will staff up with Cameron Brink for the LA Sparks 🔥 #WNBAdraft pic.twitter.com/xkWoCMt8tS
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) April 16, 2024
Practically each sportsbook has Rickea Jackson tabbed the second favourite to win the Most Improved Participant at +650 odds. Drafted No. 4 total by the Los Angeles Sparks within the 2024 WNBA Draft, Jackson made headlines in her rookie season. One might argue the Sparks gained the draft by deciding on each Jackson and Cameron Brink within the high 4 of the 2024 draft. Sadly, Brink suffered an ACL tear, and missed most of her rookie yr.
Though Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese grabbed headlines, Jackson had an overshadowed rookie marketing campaign. Rating third amongst all rookies with 13.4 factors per sport, Jackson averaged 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Sturdiness wasn’t a difficulty, as Jackson performed all 40 video games with the Sparks.
Ranked third in minutes performed (28.8 MPG), Jackson was tabbed a starter for Los Angeles in 35 of 40 video games. Apart from Clark, no rookie shot the rock greater than Jackson, who averaged 5.0 subject targets made per sport.
Simply outdoors the highest 30 in factors per sport, I anticipate Jackson to take a leap in her second season. The Sparks will proceed to rebuild—this time with Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby within the beginning lineup.
How Will Rickea Jackson Look in a New System
Till Brink is absolutely wholesome to return to the lineup, it is Jackson’s time to shine. With Plum at level guard, it should solely open up alternatives for Jackson. With the Sparks anticipated to enhance from final season, I anticipate Jacksons sport to evolve with expertise round her.
Though Unmatched and 3-on-3 basketball is vastly completely different, Jackson has sharpened the instruments in her toolbox. A member of Mist BC, Jackson’s 1-on-1 victory over Jackie Younger turned heads. A real three-level-scorer, she confirmed her willingness to drag from deep, and assault downhill within the low season.
In her rookie yr, she shot 68.3 % from the restricted space final season. Moreover, the previous Girl Vol shot 37.1 % from above the break threes. In one other phrases, she will be able to do all of it.
Then in fact, is Jackson’s mid vary sport, which I can gloat about all day. And might we discuss Jackson’s crossover sport!?
If Jackson would not win the award this yr, she’s poised to sooner or later. A rising star, she would be a part of Jonquel Jones as the one second yr participant in WNBA historical past to win Most Improved.
Jackson will get an opportunity to develop her sport below head coach Lynne Roberts. Identified for creating a excessive powered offense with Utah, it is going to be intriguing how Jackson develops in her system. With the departure of Kia Nurse and Lexie Brown, there is a clear path for Jackson. Whereas the addition of Plums might change the panorama in a constructive means, Jackson ranked second on the Sparks in factors and subject aim makes an attempt per sport (11.0) final season.
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky (+850)
“My principal aim was to get get right here and provides my household a greater life “
Kamilla Cardoso chosen no 3 total by the Chicago Sky, who additionally simply chosen Angel Reese#WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/ufyyKSQVle
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) April 16, 2024
The third favourite to win Most Improved Participant within the books, Kamilla Cardoso will enter her second season as a member of the Chicago Sky.
Drafted No.3 total by Chicago within the 2024 WNBA Draft, Cardoso had an honest rookie marketing campaign, rating fourth amongst newbies with 9.8 factors per sport. Restricted to 32 video games, Cardoso managed to rank No. 1 amongst rookies in subject aim share (52.1 %). Though accidents slowed her roll for the primary six video games of the season, Cardoso ultimately hit her stride.
At 6 foot 7, Cardoso ranked second within the WNBA behind teammate Angel Reese with 3.0 offensive boards per sport. Moreover, she ranked seventh in blocks per sport (1.5).
Cardoso discovered her rhythm publish all-star break, hovering previous her first half stats. For the reason that break, she averaged 12.1 factors, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 blocks. Her 59.1 subject aim share was No.6 within the WNBA, and her 8.0 rebounds per sport ranked throughout the high ten.
Named a member of the All-Rookie Crew, Cardoso was featured alongside teammate Angel Reese (Sky), Caitlin Clark (Fever), Leonie Fiebich (Liberty), and Rickea Jackson (Sparks).
How Tyler Marsh Can Unlock Kamilla Cardoso
The Chicago Sky appears vastly completely different below new head coach Tyler Marsh. Chicago was intent on constructing round Reese and Cardoso—by bringing in Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse, and Rebecca Allen. With Marsh referring to each Reese and Cardoso because the “cornerstones” of the franchise, I solely see Cardoso taking over a broader function.
Admitting he desires Cardoso to attain simply, there’s loads of methods in doing so. With that stated, working the choose and roll two participant sport between Vandersloot and Cardoso may be a cheat code.
There isn’t any doubt the Sky have added items round Cardoso that may additional spotlight her strengths. With that, Marsh brings in a contemporary set of eyes, aiming for a quicker tempo and extra threes among the many roster. Having not tried a single 3-pointer in her profession, is that this the yr Cardoso areas the ground out to the 3-point line?
If there’s one factor to learn about Tyler Marsh, it is that he is open to increasing Cardoso’s sport past being one-dimensional.
Anticipated to really feel extra comfy in her second season, it is no secret Cardoso performs successfully within the publish. Aforementioned, the additions of shooters and Vandersloot ought to actually open up appears for her.
Let’s not neglect, Cardoso is coming off a full season abroad with the Girls’s Chinese language Basketball League. No. 10 in scoring, Cardoso averaged 20.3 factors, 10.9 rebounds, and three.3 assists. Named WCBA Third-Crew, the WCBA Worldwide Participant of the Yr heads into the WNBA season wholesome contemporary off a full season. After a dominant season in China, it is intriguing how Tyler Marsh will deal with the spacing and growth of each Reese and Cardoso.
Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm (+1600)
Gabby Williams heads into the season as an enormous underdog to win Most Improved Participant. The previous UConn Husky heads again to Seattle after they initially used a core participant designation on Williams. Absolutely dedicated to the staff, Williams has elected to skip EuroBasket.
It is the primary time in two years Williams is absolutely prepared, wholesome, and out there. Logging simply 22 video games within the final two seasons with the Storm, it is tough to base her stats off such restricted taking part in time.
Former EuroLeague champion and MVP, Williams was an enormous chief on the French Girls’s Nationwide Crew in 2024. In truth, Williams was one foot shy of tying the USA Nationwide Crew within the Olympic Gold Medal Match. After attaining silver with France, all the basketball world watched as Williams lit up earlier than their eyes. Main the French Nationwide Crew with 15.5 factors per sport, Williams averaged 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and a couple of.8 steals.
Can Gabby Williams Replicate Her Olympic Numbers With the Storm?
Named WNBA Second All-Defensive staff in 2022, Williams is likely one of the most underrated defenders within the league. Not solely is she identified for her defensive prowess, Williams has the expertise abroad to excel on this league. Though she’ll be surrounded by a wealth of expertise in Seattle, I actually consider she will be able to surpass her career-best 10.3 factors per sport in 2024.
Gabby Williams is a “dawg,” and there is no different solution to describe it. We just lately seen her put up MVP sort numbers with Fenerbahće, and has the athleticism to deliver a lot wanted scoring to the Storm.
With Katie Lou Samuelson out with for the season with an ACL damage, Williams is in line for a bigger function alongside Alysha Clark. At simply 5’11, Williams is a flexible participant who can play a number of positions for head coach Noelle Quinn. To not point out, she’s a bucket getter. 3-point prowess is probably not Williams robust go well with, nonetheless, she shot a career-high 32.3 % from past the arc in 12 video games with Seattle final yr.
Is that this the primary yr Williams will play a full 44 video games? Have not performed 35+ in three seasons, her manufacturing will all rely on how Quinn makes use of her. If Williams continues her stats as she did within the Olympics, she is a transparent minimize most improved candidate.
Jacy Sheldon, Connecticut Solar (No Odds)
Though most books have not talked about this, I am throwing in second yr guard Jacy Sheldon as a doable most improved participant. Drafted No.5 total by the Dallas Wings within the 2024 WNBA Draft, Sheldon was traded to the Connecticut Solar in alternate for DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris.
Identified for her ferocious defensive prowess, Sheldon averaged simply 5.4 factors, 2.1 rebounds, and a couple of.5 assists in 40 video games with the Wings final season. Sharing a backcourt with Arike Ogunbowale might be tough, contemplating Arike is a hefty, elite, quantity shooter.
Now Sheldon will get her likelihood to rebuild with a program that is getting into it is first rebuild in years. With an opportunity to enter the beginning lineup below new head coach Rachid Meziane, Sheldon enters a roster with three rookies (not counting Leila Lacan).
Whereas the Connecticut Solar have veterans in Tina Charles and Bria Huntley, Sheldon has the uncommon likelihood to steer a particularly younger, and inexperienced staff in her second yr. Plus, she has all of the alternatives to be taught from Marina Mabrey within the backcourt.
Connecticut has prided itself on protection, and that hasn’t modified regardless of a revamped roster. Sheldon confirmed out in preseason, pouring in 16 factors on 3-4 3-point pictures towards the New York Liberty final Friday.
Though there aren’t present odds for Sheldon, she’s somebody to bear in mind when Most Improved Participant of the Yr. It would not be the primary time Connecticut developed a MIP participant.
2025 WNBA Most Improved Participant of the Yr Prediction: Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm (+1600)
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Author, Journalist, Content material Creator, Managing Editor, and Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a give attention to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane presently resides within the Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
