Top WNBA MVP Candidates

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 20, 2010

Top WNBA MVP Candidates

Lauren Jackson

A two-time MVP and the greatest female Australian basketball player of all time, Lauren Jackson might pick up her third MVP trophy this season. The best player on the best team in the West (Seattle Storm), Jackson knows the only thing that could hamper her candidacy is coach Brian Agler's decision to rest his superstar down the stretch.

Tamika Catchings

Catchings has been on fire lately, and it couldn't have come at a better time. As the Indiana Fever fight to maintain the top seed, Catchings has been their rock, averaging 23 points, eight rebounds and 4.8 assists over the last five games. Voters also might sympathize that Catchings, a nine-year veteran, has never won the MVP award.

Angel McCoughtry

The 2009 WNBA Rookie of the Year, McCoughtry has avoided the dreaded sophomore slump in a big way. She has improved across the board this year, averaging 21.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists up from 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists a year ago. This may not be McCoughtry's year to win MVP, but she's certainly a name to know going forward.

Cappie Pondexter

After playing second fiddle to Diana Taurasi in Phoenix, Cappie Pondexter wanted to be the focal point of an offense. She got her wish in New York and she has flourished. Pondexter has been an unstoppable force all season, and during the Liberty's nine-game winning streak through Aug. 18 , she was crucial, averaging 20.8 points and 4.6 assists.

Crystal Langhorne

The 2009 Most Improved Player, Langhorne has again improved every facet of her game. In 2010 she has averaged 16.4 points and 9.8 rebounds, up from 12 points 7.9 rebounds in 2009, a fact made all the more impressive by her meager stature (6-foot-2).

Diana Taurasi

The reigning MVP and WNBA's leading scorer has to be included on any MVP list, but the Phoenix Mercury's poor play this season -- a 15-17 record -- severely hurts her candidacy. The Mercury still hold the second seed in a weak Western Conference, but it's obvious this team is missing Pondexter in a big way.

Tina Charles

Despite her best efforts, Tina Charles could not bring a championship to the Connecticut Sun ... this year at least. The first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft, Charles has exceeded expectations. She's already set the record for the most double-doubles in a WNBA season, and it's starting to look like her championship drought may only last one year.