A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart have won the last two WNBA MVP Awards. Both superstars will likely earn MVP consideration once again in 2024. However, can Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale take a step forward and win the MVP?
Ogunbowale is poised for a big 2024 campaign. She has played in the WNBA for five seasons and finished within the top 10 of MVP voting four times. Ogunbowale was 10th in the voting during the 2023 season.
Her teammate Satou Sabally finished fifth in 2023 WNBA MVP voting. Sabally would be a popular MVP candidate once again if it was not for her injury. She is currently recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The Wings are hoping to have Sabally return at some point in August.
Sabally's absence means Dallas' gameplan will be even more built around Ogunbowale. There are other good players on the team, but it is Ogunbowale who will lead the way.
But how can she surpass superstars like Wilson and Stewart in the MVP discussion?
Arike Ogunbowale may be on verge of phenomenal 2024 season
All signs are pointing towards a phenomenal 2024 performance for Ogunbowale. She is in the prime of her career at 27 years old. Ogunbowale has also been consistent throughout her WNBA career, displaying signs of improvement along the way.
Ogunbowale played in a career-high 40 games in 2023. She averaged 21.2 points per outing on 39.8 percent field goal and 34.3 percent three-point shooting. The Wings star added 4.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. Ogunbowale also shot a career-high 87.6 percent from the free throw line.
Ogunbowale is more than capable of recording similar point per game averages as the best players in the league. She will need to increase her shooting efficiency, especially from the field. Players such as Wilson and Stewart are both efficient with their shot from inside the three-point line, and they both bring in plenty of rebounds per game.
At 5'8, Ogunbowale isn't going to produce eye-opening rebound numbers. She is a pesky defender who can cause havoc for opponents.
So if Ogunbowale can improve her shooting efficiency while continuing to make plays on the defensive end of the floor, she will find herself in the MVP discussion.
Wings need to win
The other element of Ogunbowale's potential MVP case will be the Wings' performance. Dallas is going to need to make the playoffs and have a strong overall regular season in order for Ogunbowale to compete with the projected WNBA MVP finalists.
Dallas performed well in 2023 but Sabally's absence does not bode well for their chances. Fortunately, players such as Jaelyn Brown, Natasha Howard, and Jacy Sheldon will play a role in keeping the Wings afloat.
If Arike Ogunbowale can step up and lead the charge, then Dallas will compete for a postseason spot. Satou Sabally's mid-season return will also be crucial for the Wings.
Whether she wins the MVP or not, fans should expect a big year from Ogunbowale. Perhaps she can take a step forward and win the 2024 WNBA MVP, however.
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