By Matthew Brennan, WNBA.com
July 6, 2009 - The 2009 WNBA season and the Pick One Challenge heads into the month of July. There are six days of games this week with Wednesday featuring only one game. Heading into Monday's action you will have 55 players left to choose for the 2009 season.
Last Week's MVP: Sophia Young, San Antonio Silver Stars
Young was rock-solid for San Antonio in two games this week, averaging 20.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. One of two Silver Stars (Becky Hammon) in the top five in the league's PRA rankings, Young checks in at fifth among all players with 27.2 per game. She is also one of the league's most consistent players, scoring in double figures in all eight of her games this season.
Rookie Watch
Phoenix's DeWanna Bonner is still the top rookie in the league, but she seems to be coming down to earth after a hot start. Heading into Sunday's game in Los Angeles Bonner had been held to single-digit scoring in five of her last six games. She now ranks 35th in the league with a 17.4. Detroit's Shavonte Zellous is the only other active rookie in the top 50, ranking 43rd with 16.4. Top overall pick Angel McCoughtry scored 26 points with eight assists on June 26, but has been very inconsistent since. Her Pick One totals for her last four games list as: 32, six, 28, and six, so it's hard to predict how she will fare on any given night.
Last Week's Picks
My picks scored a total of 82 points last week, although I managed only a total of eight total points from my two rookie selections. Heading into Sunday's game I was in 174th place overall and in the 92nd percentage, up from 199 last Sunday.
 Tuesday, July 7Chamique Holdsclaw Atlanta vs. Connecticut |
 Wednesday, July 8Cappie Pondexter Phoenix vs. Chicago |
 Thursday, July 9Tanisha Wright Seattle vs. Sacramento |
 Friday, July 10Ruth Riley San Antonio vs. Minnesota |
 Saturday, July 11Nicole Powell Sacramento vs. Phoenix |
 Sunday, July 12Swin Cash Seattle vs. Chicago |
Tuesday: Chamique Holdsclaw, Atlanta vs. Connecticut
In her first year in Atlanta, the WNBA All-Decade honorable mention member has provided a veteran presence and been a consistent performer in the frontcourt. Holdsclaw ranks 20th in the league with a 21.3 PRA and has scored in double-figures in 10 of her 11 games. She is averaging 11.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in two meetings against the Sun this season, both of which occured in Connecticut. The teams meet in Atlanta on Tuesday.
Wednesday: Cappie Pondexter, Phoenix vs. Chicago
Pondexter has been outstanding this season and led all players with a 30.8 PRA heading into Sunday's action. She has also topped the 20 points barrier in eight of her 11 games. I'm expecting another big game on Wednesday against the Sky, who are surrendering 79.7 points per game this season.
Thursday: Tanisha Wright, Seattle vs. Sacramento
Wright is in her second year as a starter and is proving to be a useful player for the Storm, averaging 9.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists this season. All would be career highs for the 5th year player out of Penn State. Wright lit up Sacramento for 21 on the opening day of the season and will be looking for a repeat performance on Thursday night.
Friday: Ruth Riley, San Antonio vs. Minnesota
The veteran center has had some solid games for San Antonio this season, highlighted by a 12-point, 13-rebound effort on June 6 against Phoenix. Right now her 9.0 scoring average is her highest since the 2004 season with Detroit. The Silver Stars will be looking to gain ground on the Lynx when they meet in San Antonio on Friday night.
Saturday: Nicole Powell, Sacramento vs. Phoenix
The Monarchs have the league's worst record at 2-8, but Powell is having an excellent season with 15.6 points and 5.5 rebounds. She has been especially productive against Phoenix, who visits ARCO Arena on Saturday. Powell is posting 23.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two meetings with the Mercury, one of which was the Monarchs only home win so far in 2009.
Sunday: Swin Cash, Seattle vs. Chicago
Cash is posting numbers nearly identical to her last two season, checking in at around 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists per contest. She was held to six points and four rebounds in Seattle's first meeting with Chicago in June, a 64-57 loss on June 14. Cash and the Storm will both be looking to turn the tables when the Sky visit the Emerald City on Sunday.