While everyone has been focused on the superteam Aces and Liberty and the emerging Sun, we've witnessed several WNBA players hit new career heights.
The stars are dominating as expected but we're all seeing a slew of breakout stars establish themselves in the WNBA landscape this season. Here are a few of the most notable.
WNBA breakout player: 3. Satou Sabally, F, Dallas Wings
Satou Sabally is a former No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft. In her fourth WNBA season, Sabally has taken the league by storm. Her strong play this season has been one of the top WNBA storylines so far.
After a strong rookie campaign in 2020, Sabally appeared in 28 games combined in 2021 and 2022. Sabally has been fantastic for the Wings this season, the best season of her young WNBA career. She seems to be playing pain-free and with a ton of confidence.
In the offseason, Sabally played in Turkey for Fenerbahce who won the 2023 Euroleague Championship. She recently credited playing overseas with helping her prepare for this WNBA season.
Satou Sabally has nearly doubled her scoring output from last season with a career-high 20.0 points per game, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals. She's shooting 42.2 percent from the field, 30 percent from the 3-point line and 93.8 percent from the free-throw line.
WNBA breakout player: 2. Shakira Austin, F, Washington Mystics
Shakira Austin started as a rookie last season for the Mystics, and while she only played 21.6 minutes per game, she showed promise on the glass and a soft touch around the rim. However, she averaged only 8.7 points as a rookie. The Mystics didn't run any sets for her, but she still scored in double digits in 14 of 36 games.
Austin decided to play overseas this offseason after her time with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup. The decision to play overseas in Israel has proven to have been a great one.
She made a name for herself last season with the Mystics with her defensive skills, but Austin was scoring buckets in Israel. Austin dominated the Israeli League and was named Player of the Year, Center of the Year, Import Player of the Year and was the Finals MVP after leading Elitzur Ramla to a championship.
During this WNBA season, Austin has made the most of the offensive opportunities that have been provided to her. She has expanded her game and operates more as a playmaker in 2023. Austin has shown off her ability to take defenders off the dribble instead of strictly being glued to the block. When looking at the film, you will see a player that can exploit her matchups each night and has been a major bright spot for the Washington Mystics.
WNBA breakout player: 1. Alanna Smith, F, Chicago Sky
No team had more roster turnover in free agency than the Chicago Sky, who chose to reload by acquiring several veteran players rather than a painful rebuild. Most people spoke about the acquisitions of players like Marina Mabrey, Isabelle Harrison and Elizabeth Williams, but didn't mention Smith's potential impact on the team. Now, Alanna Smith is in the midst of a career year.
Chicago outbid other teams for her services by offering her a guaranteed salary. Smith has taken full advantage of her opportunity here in Chicago, as she's made her impact felt on both ends of the floor. Whether she is trailing in transition or popping out to the perimeter, Smith has provided the Sky with the spacing they need in their half-court offense. Although Smith has provided a spark to the Sky's offense, she has also worked well alongside Elizabeth Williams when the two have been on the court together.
Isabelle Harrison's knee injury was tough news for Chicago when it was announced, but Smith has been everything the Sky could have hoped for. Smith is having a career year in a role that unlocks the best aspects of her game, after not getting consistent minutes in her previous stints with Phoenix and Indiana. Smith is averaging 10.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while knocking down 37.8 percent of her 3-point attempts.
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