We’re just a few weeks into the WNBA season, but already, it’s clear that several players have drastically improved since we last saw them. Some are capitalizing on increased opportunities. Others have just gotten better.
Here are four WNBA players who have made a pretty substantial leap this season.
1. Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics
Sonia Citron was a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate for the Washington Mystics last year. But, she’s somehow made another leap.
Citron is averaging 24.3 points (up from 14.9 points last year) while shooting a ridiculous 60.5% from the field. She’s getting to the line 9.3 times per game — the second-most in the WNBA — and sinking 82.1% of attempts. It’s early, but it already looks like Citron could be one of the best guards in the WNBA.
2. Chennedy Carter, Las Vegas Aces
It’s well-known that Carter is an absolute bucket-getter — she’s been that at every one of her previous stops. But her efficiency through the first 5 games of the Aces season has just been ridiculous; she’s averaging 19.4 points in just 21.4 minutes per game off the bench, while shooting 67.2% from the field and 37.5% from three.
Carter is on this list, but she actually wasn’t in the WNBA last season. Still, this is the most effective she’s been since entering the league — and the Aces’ decision to add her to their bench already looks like a shrewd one.
3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle Storm
Malonga is averaging 16 points per game this season, up from 7.7 points last year, as she’s seen her on-court opportunities significantly increase. Malonga is also averaging 7.3 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal per game. Malonga is currently in concussion protocol, but has looked dominant to begin the year.
The circumstances in Seattle have drastically changed; Malonga was coming off the bench to begin last season; now, she’s a centerpiece. And, the 20-year-old has shown flashes of potential as she anchors the Storm in her second season.
4. Bridget Carleton, Portland Fire
Carleton is one of the WNBA’s highest-paid players, and as of late, she’s been playing like it. Carleton has been awesome for the Fire, averaging 16.7 points while shooting 45.9% from the field and 41.7% from three. That’s up from 6.5 points per game last season with the Minnesota Lynx.
Her role has changed drastically; she went from a low-usage, spot-up shooter in Minnesota, to a primary offensive option in Portland. Last week, she tallied a career-high 26 points in a win over the Minnesota Lynx.
Carleton is 28 — that’s usually past the age when a player would increase their points per game average by more than 10 — but the increased opportunity she’s seeing in Portland is paying dividents.
