The Sparks have hit the top of the primary quarter of the 2024 WNBA season and sit at 3-7, putting them tenth within the standings. Wins could also be few and much between, however what gamers have shined through the starting of the yr?
Here’s a have a look at workforce awards on the quarter mark:
MVP: Dearica Hamby
You’ll have a unique favourite, however you possibly can’t title a greater participant on this Sparks workforce than Dearica Hamby. She’s averaging 20.4 factors, 11.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals per recreation. All these numbers are workforce highs and profession highs.
Throughout coaching camp, head coach Curt Miller talked about that there wasn’t a bonafide chief on this workforce, however 10 video games in, Miller’s speculation shouldn’t be supported by the proof on the ground. There’s a chief—and it’s Hamby. She’s the perfect participant, a consummate skilled and a vocal chief on and off the ground.
Hamby is already a two-time All-Star, and if she continues this stage of play, she’ll be heading to Phoenix this July to symbolize the Sparks for her third All-Star honor.
DPOY: Cameron Brink
How good Cameron Brink already is as a defender in her rookie yr is ineffable. The WNBA might double the scale of the rim, and it wouldn’t matter as a result of any shot makes an attempt close to the basket are getting blocked by Brink in any case. She’s averaging 2.5 rejections per recreation, which is third-best within the league; her 25 blocks put her simply 5 behind Ezi Magbegor for the highest spot.
It’s not simply defending the rim the place Brink shines. She’s dealing with the league’s physicality properly and is quick sufficient to change on guards with out being susceptible to being focused as a mismatch.
She must work on her offensive recreation and her propensity to foul, however defensively, she’s already top-of-the-line within the league and clearly the perfect in a Sparks uniform.
Sixth POY: Aari McDonald
This award was a troublesome one to present out. The bench has struggled to be a optimistic, particularly since Rickea Jackson, who had cut up time between the bench and the beginning lineup, goes to be a starter from right here on out. So, I went with a participant who hasn’t began any video games this season: Aari McDonald.
Her play has been a blended bag, however she’s taking part in 16.3 minuets per recreation and producing a good 5.1 factors, 1.7 rebounds and a pair of.3 assists per recreation. Her finest efficiency got here in opposition to the Indiana Fever, the place she scored 21 factors to assist the Sparks earn the highway win.
McDonald’s play hasn’t been spectacular, however she’s been constant and you may see how she’s getting increasingly more snug taking part in below Miller because the season has progressed. Hopefully, she solely will get higher because the season continues.
MIP: Dearica Hamby
Most Worthwhile and Most Improved? Certain, why not.
Hamby has exceeded all expectations early on, and together with her numbers taking an infinite leap, nobody else on the roster has improved extra from 2023 to 2024 fairly like Hamby. I can see a guard like Kia Nurse or Lexie Brown finally successful this award at yr’s finish, however proper now, Hamby has improved probably the most.
L.A. ahead Dearica Hamby now has eight double-doubles in her first 10 video games of the season. Already has 18 PTS, 10 REB and three AST with one quarter to play
— LA Sparks PR (@LASparksPR) June 8, 2024
Peak Performers
This class highlights the leaders in key statistical classes. No opinion, simply stats.
- Scoring: Dearica Hamby, 20.4 factors per recreation.
- Rebounding: Dearcia Hamby, 11.6 rebounds per recreation
- Assists: Dearica Hamby, 3.4 assists per recreation.
It will likely be fascinating to see how a lot this modifications by the midway mark of the season. Will a brand new bench participant emerge as the perfect? Will anybody in addition to Hamby dramatically enhance? Can the workforce combat for a playoff spot?
June ought to be enjoyable in Southern California.
