Latest news with #midseason
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 WNBA midseason awards tracker
The post 2025 WNBA midseason awards tracker appeared first on ClutchPoints. The 2025 WNBA season has officially hit the halfway mark, and fans have already enjoyed plenty of entertaining storylines. As things stand, the MVP award in particular is almost certain to go another way, considering A'Ja Wilson is not amongst the most likely contenders thus far. That honor belongs to the likes of Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier, the two All-Star captains this year. The Indiana Fever star in particular looks likely to compete for the MVP award after winning the Rookie of the Year last time around. However, there are plenty of other major contenders who have emerged this season already, as we attempt to recognize the biggest contenders for all the major WNBA awards. Most Valuable Player – Napheesa Collier Leading the MVP race is Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx. The 2024 MVP runner-up has elevated her game to another level in 2025, guiding the Lynx to a league-best 20-4 record while leading the WNBA in scoring with 23.9 points per game, per Basketball Reference. She has also been highly efficient, shooting at 52.1% from the field and an astounding 95.6% from the free throw line. Collier is also averaging 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game, ranking top-five in each of the three major defensive metrics. These two-way contributions have made her indispensable for the Lynx, who boast both the league's top offense and defense. Challenging her for the MVP crown is Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas, who has thrived with her new team, and Caitlin Clark. Thomas leads the league in assists with 9.5 per game while chipping in 15.4 points and 7.5 rebounds. Her unique ability to control games as a forward-sized playmaker is unmatched, and she recently set a WNBA record with her 16th career triple-double. She's kept Phoenix near the top of the standings despite roster changes and injuries, making her the strongest threat to Collier's MVP run. Clark will need to remain fit, and has consistently missed games this season, which is why she is not amongst the top-2 candidates as things stand. However, things can change quickly, with the player expected to return soon. Rookie of the Year – Paige Bueckers Few rookies in WNBA history have arrived with the same expectations as Paige Bueckers, and even fewer have lived up to the hype in such a short span. The Dallas Wings guard has seized full control of the Rookie of the Year race, despite missing four games due to injury and illness. She leads all rookies in scoring (18.3), assists (5.4), steals (1.7), and minutes (34.7) per game. Among all WNBA players, Bueckers ranks top-10 in scoring and is one of just four players averaging 18+ points and 5+ assists, joining the likes of Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Despite Dallas' slow start to the season, Bueckers has helped ignite a modest turnaround, with the Wings now 5-5 in their last 10 games. She became the fastest rookie in league history to reach 200 points and 50 assists, accomplishing the feat in just 11 games. Apart from Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have impressed as well and continue to be challengers. However, this one might have Bueckers' name written all over! Most Improved Player – Allisha Gray Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray has exploded into All-Star stardom in 2025, becoming the first Dream player to start in the midseason showcase since 2018. Her offensive game has blossomed under new head coach Karl Smesko, with Gray averaging a career-high 19.4 points on 42.6% shooting from the field and a blistering 41.6% from three. Gray's leap in production hasn't come with a drop in consistency, and just like Bueckers, she looks the firm favorite to become the MIP this campaign. Others like Brittney Sykes, Rae Burrell, and Veronica Burton have also turned heads, but Gray looks to be the runaway leader for MIP thus far. Sixth Player of the Year- Kennedy Burke In New York, Kennedy Burke has carved out a vital role for the title-contending Liberty as the league's most impactful bench contributor. The 28-year-old guard is averaging 10 points per game off the bench and has become one of the WNBA's most efficient perimeter shooters, hitting 47.9% of her threes. Though Burke has made six starts due to injuries, her best work has come as a reserve. She's stepped into the void left by the departures of Thornton and Laney-Hamilton and has been crucial in the absence of Jonquel Jones. Minnesota's Jessica Shepard, Atlanta's Naz Hillmon, and Lynx guard Natisha Heideman round out the other top candidates. Coach of the Year- Natalie Nakase In her first season as a WNBA head coach, Natalie Nakase has redefined what's possible for expansion teams. The Golden State Valkyries are 10-9 and are firmly in the playoff race. Nakase has created a defensive juggernaut, ranking second in defensive rating behind only the Lynx, while building an offense that sits comfortably in the league's top 10. What makes Nakase's success more impressive is the cohesiveness she's developed with a brand-new roster. While Nakase's rise has undoubtedly been impressive, the likes of the Mercury's Nate Tibbetts and the Lynx's Cheryl Reeve appear to be the biggest contenders. Much of how this award goes may depend on the results of the rest of the regular season. Related: WNBA Rookies get 100% honest on 1st WNBA All-Star honor Related: JuJu Watkins, Azzi Fudd among 14 NCAA basketball stars to ink Unrivaled NIL deals
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
VOTE: Who is NASCAR midseason driver of the year?
Happy halfway point. The NASCAR Cup Series is 50% through the 2025 season — 18 races down and 18 to go, counting the playoffs. Let's look back on what we've seen so far. Who has been the best driver this year? May 18, 2025; North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24), NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell (20) during NASCAR All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images The contenders: Advertisement William Byron won the Daytona 500 and leads the playoff standings. He's led the second-most laps. Kyle Larson is tied atop the circuit with three victories. He also paces the Cup Series in top-five (9) and top-10 finishes (12) and laps led. He ranks third in postseason points. Fourth in the standings, Denny Hamlin also has three wins. His eight top-fives are the second-most in NASCAR. Christopher Bell rode an early-season hot streak to three straight wins. He slots second with 11 top-10s. Or maybe it's someone else. Chase Elliott, who snapped a 44-race winless streak at Atlanta last weekend and holds the No. 2 spot in the standings, comes to mind. Voting will remain open until 9 a.m. July 6. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR poll: Who is midseason Cup Series driver of 2025?
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Bachelor (Finally) Renewed at ABC, Gets New Showrunner
The Bachelor will be handing out more roses on ABC: The primetime reality staple has been renewed for Season 30, TVLine has confirmed. (Our sister site Deadline first reported the news.) The long-running dating competition is also getting a new showrunner: Scott Teti, who serves as showrunner for spinoff Bachelor in Paradise, will take the reins on The Bachelor next season as well. Teti takes over for Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner, who exited as co-showrunners in March following accusations of fostering a 'toxic' work environment. More from TVLine Wimbledon 2025: How to Watch the Tennis Matches Live Online Doctor Odyssey's Cancellation Fits Right Into Our Fever Dream Theory (Just Let Us Have This One) Doctor Odyssey Cancelled at ABC After One Season There was some concern about The Bachelor's future when a renewal wasn't announced as usual at ABC's May upfront presentation. But the delay was due to the search for a new showrunner, Deadline says, and the new season 'is believed to be targeting its usual midseason window' of January. A specific premiere date — and a star — will be announced at a later date. Bachelor Nation has seen some major shake-ups lately: In February, it was reported that The Bachelorette would skip the summer season for the first time since 2007 (not counting 2020, when COVID delayed it until the fall). Plus, the most recent season of The Bachelor — with Grant Ellis handing out the roses — was down 25% in the ratings versus 2024, averaging 3.3 million total viewers and a 0.6 demo rating (with Live+7 playback). That 0.6 demo rating, though, only trailed Dancing With the Stars, Survivor and The Amazing Race among all reality/game shows that aired on broadcast TV this past season. (Grant's engagement to Juliana, alas, fizzled out after just three months.) Are you happy to hear is coming back? Who should be the star next season? Join us in the comments below to share your thoughts! Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
