The 2024 WNBA Season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years, especially with the influx of household name talents from the collegiate ranks. Atlanta Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery chimed in with her favorites to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honors. These include the likes of A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky.
The Aces' Wilson is the odds-on favorite to become WNBA MVP at +100, with reigning MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty at +800. Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark follows with a +950, rounded out by Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun (+1200), Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury (+2,000), and Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm (+2,500).
Clark (-700) is the overwhelming favorite to capture Rookie of the Year honors this season, with the Iowa graduate showing flashes of brilliance in her pre-season outings. Also seen in the running is Cameron Brink (+900) and Rickea Jackson (+3,100) of the Los Angeles Sparks, Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky (+3,500), and Aaliyah Edwards of the Washington Mystics (+4,000).
Montgomery picks A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark to bring home MVP, ROY trophies
Renee Montgomery noted the challenge in rising to the top of the heap in the WNBA, according to an interview on NBA TV, following a close race between Wilson and Stewart for the MVP in 2023. Wilson is a two-time MVP, with wins in 2020 and 2022. Stewart, meanwhile, is also a two-time winner in 2018 with the Storm and 2023 with the Liberty.
“I make that A'ja Wilson is my choice for MVP, for the reasons she could have been MVP last year,” said Montgomery. “It's tough when…you have a top player in A'ja making a statement that she said it's hard to make it to the mountain top, it's hard to get to that top of the ladder…it's really hard to be the best player multiple years in a row and to play at the highest level last year.”
It is of note that there has not been a guard that took home the MVP award since Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury in 2009. A win by A'ja Wilson this season will not only result in a third MVP trophy, but also carve her name among the elite guards in WNBA history.
Montgomery begged to differ from the odds for the Rookie of the Year candidates, placing Angel Reese higher than the Sparks' combo of Brink and Jackson.
“If you're looking at it, of course Caitlin Clark is gonna be the favorite to lead the rookie of the year [candidates]. She would be my choice. But there's also Angel Reese,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery questions how overall team performance plays in awards voting
Renee Montgomery also argued that the X-factor for the aforementioned favorites to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year trophies would be how the voters would consider the team's overall performance, on top of the individual performances. With A'ja Wilson and the Aces defending their WNBA title this season, this may prove an easier road, but for the likes of Caitlin Clark and the rising Indiana Fever, this may not be as clear cut.
“That is very interesting how things would go. It depends how well your team is playing. Are people picking the best player on the best team? Is it the high volume of points? I don't know, I just know we got a good season ahead!” closed Montgomery.
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