With only a week remaining in the regular season, which resumes on Thursday, it is time to dive into the end-of-season award debates. 

From league MVP to Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and more, there are a plethora of candidates to discuss. Today, we’ll break down 10 of the top candidates for the five spots on the All-Rookie Team — a list that includes lottery picks, first-rounders, second-rounders, and undrafted players.

Note: Players are listed in alphabetical order, with stats and rankings through games played before the FIBA break, which began on Aug. 31.

Pauline Astier (New York Liberty)

Pauline Astier #18 of the New York Liberty

• 2026 Stats: 9.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 0.4 3PG, 54.0 FG%, 31.3 3P%, 23.3 MPG, 40 GP

The 24-year-old guard from France may have gone undrafted, but she has made an immediate impact for the Liberty, scoring 20+ points in two of her first four WNBA games. She has started 35 contests for the playoff-bound Liberty and was part of France’s silver-medal-winning squad in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

Lauren Betts (Washington Mystics)

• 2026 Stats: 6.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 0.0 3PG, 54.9 FG%, 0.0 3P%, 17.1 MPG, 40 GP

Betts is one of eight rookies playing for a young Mystics squad that has secured its first playoff berth since 2023. The 6-foot-7 center, selected fourth overall out of UCLA, leads all rookies with 30 total blocks and ranks third with 177 total rebounds despite averaging just 17.1 minutes per game.

Awa Fam (Seattle Storm)

• 2026 Stats: 10.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 1.5 3PG, 45.1 FG%, 35.5 3P%, 27.6 MPG, 33 GP

Considered one of the most intriguing international prospects entering the draft at just 19 years old, Fam was selected at No. 3 by Seattle and has showcased her two-way talent during her rookie season. She leads all rookies in rebounds and blocks per game while ranking fifth in steals and sixth in scoring. As the league’s youngest player (20 years, 90 days), she has immense upside.

Azzi Fudd (Dallas Wings)

• 2026 Stats: 13.1 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 2.1 3PG, 45.6 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 31.7 MPG, 30 GP

The top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft was limited to just 30 games for the Wings before undergoing season-ending arthroscopic surgery on her right knee. Before she was sidelined, the sharpshooter made an impact on both ends of the court — leading all rookies in 3-pointers made (2.1), steals (1.7, 4th in WNBA), and blocks (0.8) per game.

Flau’jae Johnson (Seattle Storm)

Flau’jae Johnson #4 of the Seattle Storm

• 2026 Stats: 14.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 1.3 3PG, 39.8 FG%, 28.3 3P%, 28.2 MPG, 38 GP

Acquired by Seattle in a draft-night trade with Golden State, Johnson has emerged as a key piece of a young Storm core alongside Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam. Johnson has showcased her all-around game in her debut WNBA season. She leads all rookies in steals, ranks second in points and rebounds, and ranks third in blocks per game. Her eight 20+ point games are the second-most among all rookies.

Laura Juskaite (Toronto Tempo)

• 2026 Stats: 10.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 1.0 3PG, 46.5 FG%, 31.7 3P%, 24.9 MPG, 40 GP

The 28-year-old from Lithuania played professionally in Europe for over a decade before making her WNBA debut for the expansion Tempo in 2026. She is tied with Fudd for fourth among rookies in double-digit scoring games (21) and ranks seventh in scoring, sixth in rebounds, and third in steals across 40 games (32 starts).

Charlisse Leger-Walker (Connecticut Sun)

• 2026 Stats: 7.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.0 3PG, 37.8 FG%, 34.2 3P%, 23.6 MPG, 40 GP

The second-round pick (No. 18 overall) out of UCLA ranks second to Miles among rookies in assists and 19th among all WNBA players. She’s posted her two career-best scoring games over her last three contests as she looks to close out her rookie campaign on a high note.

Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx)

• 2026 Stats: 19.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 1.7 3PG, 49.5 FG%, 39.6 3P%, 30.9 MPG, 38 GP

Miles has delivered a historic debut season, placing herself in the league MVP conversation while establishing herself as the clear Rookie of the Year frontrunner. The No. 2 pick in the 2026 Draft not only leads all rookies in points and rebounds, but she also ranks eighth and seventh, respectively, across the entire league. She is on pace to break Caitlin Clark’s rookie scoring record (21 points away) and needs one more 20+ point game to break Seimone Augustus’ rookie record for most in league history (20 in 2006).

Kiki Rice (Toronto Tempo)

Kiki Rice #1 of the Toronto Tempo

• 2026 Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 0.9 3PG, 48.1 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 26.6 MPG, 24 GP

A total of 22 players across the WNBA have averaged at least 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists this season — 16 of whom were 2026 All-Stars. Rice is one of only two rookies on the list (along with Miles) and has logged the fewest minutes per game of the group. That kind of company bodes well for Rice as the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft continues to develop her all-around game.

Sydney Taylor (Chicago Sky)

• 2026 Stats: 13.8 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 2.0 3PG, 43.5 FG%, 33.7 3P%, 20.3 MPG, 33 GP

Taylor, who went undrafted in 2024, etched her name in the WNBA history books with her clutch shooting. She became the first rookie to hit multiple game-winning shots with five seconds or fewer remaining (Aug. 1 vs. Las Vegas and Aug. 21 vs. Golden State). Taylor, whose 11 clutch 3-pointers lead all players in the league, ranks third among first-year players in scoring.