The WNBA introduced the All-WNBA First and Second Workforce on Wednesday, and there was one notable omission: Kelsey Mitchell. All-WNBA, a annual honor bestowed on one of the best gamers within the league after every season, is voted on by sportswriters and broadcasters. The First and Second Workforce, each positionless, every embody 5 gamers. Whereas the ultimate picks weren’t notably stunning, there’s one participant who ought to have been named to the All-WNBA staff: Kelsey Mitchell.
Right here have been the ultimate alternatives:
All-WNBA First Workforce
A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx)
Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
Caitlin Clark (Indiana Pacers)
Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Solar)
All-WNBA Second Workforce
Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings)
Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)
Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury)
Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm)
Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty)
I launched my All-WNBA picks final month, and my lists carefully resembles the official record, with one key distinction: I had Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever the Second Workforce rather than Arike Ogunbowale. Exterior of that, my record had no discrepancies with the official poll.
Let’s check out the numbers. Within the 2024 season, Mitchell averaged 19.2 factors on 46.8% taking pictures, together with 40.2% from three. She additionally posted 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists, however was primarily used as a scorer on an Indiana Fever staff that went 20-20 en path to the No. 6 seed and its first playoff berth since 2016.
Ogunbowale averaged 22.2 factors, 5.1 assists, and 4.6 rebounds — so her numbers have been greater in all three classes. However, she shot a career-worst 38.3% from the sector, and 34.6% from three. To be honest, provided that Ogunbowale is her staff’s major scoring possibility, she confronted extra defensive strain than Kelsey Mitchell did. Nonetheless, her inefficiency is unimaginable to disregard, as is her staff’s lack of success this season: at 9-31, the Wings completed with the second-worst document within the league. Definitely, that document displays team-wide points and accidents that go far past Ogunbowale’s particular person efficiency, nevertheless it’s nonetheless onerous to select a participant from one of many worst groups within the WNBA over probably the most environment friendly guard scorers within the league.
Jonquel Jones truly acquired the fewest votes of gamers chosen to the All-WNBA Workforce (she completed with 3 votes for 1st staff and 29 for 2nd staff), however given the Liberty’s success this season and her two-way dominance, her inclusion is difficult to argue towards.
It’d be equally tough to justify eradicating every other participant from the All-WNBA Second Workforce. Sabrina Ionescu was the pinnacle of the snake that was one of the best staff within the league, and Kahleah Copper and Nneka Ogwumike every had nice particular person seasons and have been one of the best gamers on their respective playoff groups.
Ogubowale is an amazing participant, and he or she’s already had two worthy All-WNBA season and 4 All-Star seasons — and lots extra honors sooner or later. However, Kelsey Mitchell was the second-leading scorer within the league post-Olympic break. She averaged 23.4 factors on 50.6% taking pictures and 45.4% from three within the remaining 14 video games of the season, a torrid scoring stretch that helped propel Indiana to the postseason. That kind of effectivity, scoring prowess, and staff success ought to be rewarded with an All-WNBA bid.