The WNBA season starts on May 16th with three games. There are many reasons why fans should look forward to the WNBA season. Perhaps the biggest reason is that it will be Caitlin Clark’s and Angel Reese’s second season in the league. These two players brought more interest into the league, as when the Chicago Sky hosted the Indiana Fever on June 23rd, ESPN averaged 2.3 million viewers. That stat isn’t a surprise, as they were the two biggest names coming out of the WNBA draft last year. While those two, along with other stars like A’ja Wilson, will steal a lot of the headlines, there are other players to keep an eye on this upcoming WNBA season. Let’s explore three players who could surprise people next season.
3 WNBA Players Who Shouldn’t go Under the Radar
Nyara Sabally
Nyara Sabally could have a breakout season next year. She is versatile, athletic, and can finish at the basket. The 6-foot-5 New York Liberty guard showed promising signs last season, particularly in the playoffs. She had a standout match in game five of the playoff final against the Minnesota Lynx. The 25-year-old exploded for 13 points off the bench against Cheryl Reeve’s side. Unfortunately, she missed her rookie season due to a knee injury as which hampered her development. If she can get more game time, then she could prove why she was the fifth pick in the 2022 WNBA draft. The only thing that can hinder her career is injuries, as she tore her ACL twice in college.
Cameron Brink
Fans should not forget about Cameron Brink ahead of the start of the new season. Her rookie season in the WNBA was cut short as she had suffered a torn ACL. It will be interesting to see how she performs when she comes back from the injury, as she is a very talented player. She was seen as the best defensive player in her draft class last year. The 23-year-old can play make and move well off the ball. The only issue going into next season is whether she can stay out of foul trouble. She has a bad tendency to try and block everything, even when she doesn’t have to. Overall, Brink has the potential to be a franchise player and an All-Star within the next few years if she can stay healthy.
Aaliyah Edwards
Aaliyah Edwards is a player that people should not take for granted ahead of this upcoming WNBA season. The Canadian is known for her versatility, athleticism, and strong rebounding ability. She is also a great post player with touches around the rim. Coming into last year’s draft, she was seen as the most pro-level player alongside Rickea Jackson, Clark, Brink, and Reese. This will not surprise many people as she has been playing with the Canadian National team since her debut in 2017. In her first year in the WNBA, she averaged 7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. She got to the final of Unrivaled’s 1 vs 1 tournament against Napheesa Collier. In the final, she couldn’t quite do enough to beat Collier in a best-of-three matchup. Nevertheless, this, paired with Edwards’ solid rookie season, showcases her upside. Overall, Edwards will come out of the competition feeling more confident and is poised for a breakout season.
Photo credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
