Rookie of the Year
Mystics guard Temeka Johnson was named the 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The sixth overall selection in the 2005 WNBA Draft, Johnson started all 34 games and ranked second in the WNBA in assists (5.2 apg).
Presentation ceremony | Johnson headlines inaugural All-Rookie Team

Most Improved Player
Monarchs guard/forward Nicole Powell was named the recipient of the 2005 WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year award. On the season, Powell averaged 10.7 points and 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists -- up from 4.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists a year ago.

Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award presented by Secret

Taj McWilliams-Franklin of the Connecticut Sun was named the recipient of the 2005 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award presented by Secret. McWilliams-Franklin had the best season of her career, averaging 13.9 poins per game, is a four-time WNBA All-Star and a mother of two.

Coach of the Year

Sacramento Monarchs coach John Whisenant was named 2005 WNBA Coach of the Year on September 2 after leading his team to its first-ever regular season Conference title and the most wins in franchise history.

All-Defensive Team Selections

In addition to Defensive Player of the Year Tamika Catchings, Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie, Former Defensive Player of the Year Sheryl Swoopes and 1999 WNBA MVP Yolanda Griffith headline the inaugural All-Defensive Team. Ten players make up the First and Seconds Teams.

Defensive Player of the Year Presented by Tampax

Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings was named the 2005 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in her career. Catchings lead the league in steals this season and anchored one of the best defenses on the league, leading the Fever in steals and rebou.

Cascade Dish & Assist Award

Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm was named the 2005 Cascade Dish & Assist Award winner. After finishing in second to Sacramento's Ticha Penicheiro and Nikki Teasley in the assist race the past few seasons, Bird finished the 2005 season dishing out 5.9 assists per game.

Bud Light Peak Performers

Houston's Sheryl Swoopes and Detroit's Cheryl Ford have been named the 2005 WNBA Bud Light Peak Performers. Swoopes led the WNBA in scoring with 18.6 points a game. Ford led the WNBA in rebounding, finishing with 9.8 boards per game.

Past Award Winners:

1997		1998
1999		2000
2001		2002
2003		2004