First team locks:
Hannah, Juju, and Betts.
Napheesa Collier's entire 2019 is still a head scratcher. How on EARTH did Gustafson win POY over her and how on EARTHHHHH was she the #6 pick in the WNBA draft?
Also while not quite a superstar, Jackie Young has looked on the cusp of it during parts of several seasons.How she fell to #6 in the draft still is puzzling. KLS had an up and down senior year where holes in her game were exposed, yet she still was picked ahead of Arike/Collier, both of whom have become franchise players and bonafide stars.
I never understood the Durr hype. Always thought Arike was a better player when they were in college but for some reason Durr got all of the hype and accolades.Also while not quite a superstar, Jackie Young has looked on the cusp of it during parts of several seasons.
I don't know what kind of career Durr would've had without medical issues, but completely washed out of the W at this point as far as I know. Very minimal impact for the #2 overall pick.
Looking at the rest of that first round, several more gone from the league. Magbegor at #12 and the last pick of the first round was an absolute steal in retrospect.
This post is soooooo not surprising from you. LOL! Next.Gustafson averaged 28 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks on 70% FG, she deserved NPOY. She also took an unheralded Iowa team to an Elite 8 finish and Big Ten Championship. Collier was and is a better overall player but Meg deserved it.
How she fell to #6 in the draft still is puzzling. KLS had an up and down senior year where holes in her game were exposed, yet she still was picked ahead of Arike/Collier, both of whom have become franchise players and bonafide stars.
Don't get upset when someone answers a question you askThis post is soooooo not surprising from you. LOL! Next.
If the awards were given out today, I woul concede Strong as national FOY and Blake’s as SEC FOY.While Strong is great and having an amazing season, I don't see her as a lock even for FOY. I think Mikayla Blakes at Vandy is also in the conversation. Shea has helped mold her into a great player and her play is just strengthening as the year progresses. That being said, I don't think anybody would be upset if Strong wins, but I don't think she is the only one in the conversation or is a run away with it this year either.
Another name to throw out there for SEC FOY is Sira Thienou at Ole Miss. She gets almost no media love but she could creep into the conversation if she continues getting better. She isn't necessarily a high scorer (though she did have a 29 point game against Florida) but it's all the other metrics that make her stand out.If the awards were given out today, I woul concede Strong as national FOY and Blake’s as SEC FOY.
However. Joyce Edwards will push them both by years end. Over the last five straight games against ranked opponents, Joyce was the leadingscorer in all five games. To repeat; both of them are worthy of awards, but it COULD change, Joyce will face both of them in the next month,