1 player from each team to watch out for as WNBA returns after 2024 Paris Olympics break 

The 2024 WNBA regular season is set to resume after an extended All-Star break due to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With the league set to return on Thursday, six teams will face off in a three-game slate. The Phoenix Mercury travel to play the Chicago Sky, the Washington Mystics take on the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty play the Los Angeles Sparks.

The season's return will see some of the WNBA's top players get back on the court as the playoff race begins to heat up.

With 15 to 16 games remaining for each team on the WNBA regular season schedule, here is a closer look at one player to watch out for from each team in the second half of the season:

1 player from each WNBA team to look out for with the season's return

#1. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

After missing time with an ankle injury, Rhyne Howard suited up for the Olympics, helping the United States 3x3 women's basketball team to a bronze medal finish after a lackluster start.

Despite missing 10 games with injury, Howard has been one of the few bright spots on an Atlanta Dream team on the outside looking in of the WNBA playoff race.

In 14 games this season, the third-year guard has averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 assists and 4.9 rebounds, notching career-highs in field goal percentage and steals, burying shots at a 38.6-percent clip while nabbing 2.1 steals per game.

Without Howard, Atlanta dropped nine out of 10 contests, finishing a lowly 1-9 in their 10-game stretch with Howard dealing with injury. With Howard set to return post-Olympics, the Dream could build some momentum as the playoffs approach.

#2. Chennedy Carter, Chicago Sky

After a down 2022 campaign and missing the entire 2023 season, Chennedy Carter is back with a vengeance, making her presence felt as the leader of the Chicago Sky.

Now in her fourth season, Carter has returned to her rookie form, posting 17.2 ppg, 2.7 apg and 2.9 rpg and shooting nearly 52.0% from the field.

As Chicago eyes a playoff berth, Carter will lead a young Sky team alongside the rookie tandem of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso as one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season.

#3. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

As the Connecticut Sun continues to evolve, so does 11-year vet Alyssa Thomas, developing her skillset and becoming one of the top passers in the WNBA over the last three seasons.

After averaging 3.0 apg in her first eight seasons, Thomas transformed her skillset, now averaging 7.2 apg across her last three seasons.

Despite going down in a quick four games to the New York Liberty in head coach Stephanie White's first season in 2023, the Sun has bounced back in 2024, posting the second-best record in the WNBA at 18-6 entering the All-Star break.

Thomas has helped lead the charge for the Sun to this point of the season, earning her third-straight All-Star nod with averages of 11.4 ppg, 7.6 apg and 9.2 rpg after finishing as the MVP runner-up a season ago.

With the second seed in the WNBA, Thomas and her Connecticut squad will look to build on a strong start to the 2024 season as they search for the franchise's first championship with the third-best title odds in the league.

#4. Odyssey Sims, Dallas Wings

While Arike Ogunbowale may be a more popular choice for a lackluster Dallas Wings squad who are tied for the worst record in the WNBA, Odyssey Sims has found new tread on her tires in her 11th WNBA season.

While Sims entered the league as a prolific scorer, averaging 16.4 ppg in her first three seasons and earning an All-Star nod in 2019, she spent the next four seasons averaging just 6.2 ppg.

Now in her second season in Dallas, Sims has found the scoring prowess she displayed in her first three seasons and her All-Star season in 2019, bouncing back to the tune of 17.2 ppg, 5.6 apg and 2.9 rpg, shooting an impressive 53.0% from the field and an eye-popping 50.0% from behind the arc.

While the Wings haven't had much to celebrate in 2024, Odyssey Sims' redemption season has been something to behold.

#5. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

No surprises here, right?

In the first half of her rookie season, Caitlin Clark has lived up to the hype and then some, breaking numerous records and establishing herself as one of the best players in the WNBA as a rookie.

The rookie sensation is averaging 17.1 ppg, 8.2 apg and 5.8 rpg and already has the WNBA single-game assists record to her name with an impressive 19-assist performance versus Dallas.

Along with these historic numbers by a rookie, Caitlin Clark has her Indiana Fever in the middle of the playoff hunt with a record of 11-15 and the seventh seed in the WNBA.

As the season resumes one thing is certain. The Caitlin Clark hype is here to stay.

#6. A'ja Wilson. Las Vegas Aces

Another non-surprise with this pick, but an important one nonetheless as A'ja Wilson will take the court after a historic Olympics MVP campaign in Paris.

After leading Team USA to yet another Olympic gold medal, Wilson will set her sights on yet another WNBA championship as the Aces look to establish themselves as a dynasty.

Now in her seventh WNBA season, Wilson remains arguably the best player in the WNBA, posting averages of 27.2 ppg, 12.0 rpg and 2.9 bpg in what's been one of the most dominant 24-game stretches of any player in league history.

Wilson's 27.2 points would be the highest mark in WNBA history if the season ended today and the Aces superstar is set to join elite company as the fourth player in league history to win the MVP award three times.

A'ja Wilson continues to build up her historic resume and she doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

#7. Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks

Another huge surprise of this WNBA season, Dearica Hamby has shown the ability to be an elite-level scorer for the first time in her career, posting career-highs in points per game, 3-point attempts, 3-point makes and 3-point percentage.

Along with 19.2 ppg, Hamby has also averaged a career-high 10.0 rpg to this point of the season and will likely finish the season as the Most Improved Player for her efforts.

After spending most of her career as a defensive-minded player, Hamby has opened up her offensive skillset as the game appears to be slowing down for her on that side of the floor.

Though the Sparks are on the outside looking in at the WNBA playoff picture, Hamby's efforts give Sparks fans a lot to be excited about.

#8. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

After appearing in just four games in 2022, Napheesa Collier has bounced back in a big way in 2023 and 2024.

Following an MVP-caliber 2023 campaign, Collier has continued to develop, posting career-highs in rebounds, blocks and steals per game through the first half of the 2024 season.

With averages of 20.0 ppg, 3.7 apg, 10.2 rpg, 2.2 spg and 1.5 bpg, Collier has turned into one of the best two-way players in the WNBA and has helped Minnesota to a 17-8 record and the Comminsioner's Cup thus far this season.

After a down 19-21 season in 2023, Collier has the Lynx back in the playoff hunt as the third seed in the WNBA through 25 games this season.

#9. Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty

As the WNBA's best team to this point with a record of 21-4, the New York Liberty has given WNBA fans plenty to talk about this season.

While you could argue Sabrina Ionescu or Breanna Stewart deserve to be in this spot, Jonquel Jones will get the nod from us due to her consistent efforts and efficient scoring.

Arguably New York's X-factor, Jones is leading the team in field goal percentage, minimum five shot attempts, 3-point percentage and minimum two 3-point attempts.

In her second season in New York, Jones has stepped up as the Liberty's third star behind Stewart and Ionescu and has given the team some of the best play of her career, averaging 15.3 ppg, 3.5 apg and 9.1 rpg, shooting 56 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from behind the arc.

The Liberty will resume play with the top seed in the WNBA in large part due to the consistent and efficient play of Jones.

#10. Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury

In her first season in Phoenix, Kahleah Copper has been a marvel for the Mercury, leading the team to a 13-12 record through 25 games this season.

Though the Mercury aren't where they'd like to be with the sixth seed in the WNBA, Copper has given Phoenix their next star as Diana Taurasi nears the end of her storied career.

In 25 contests, Copper has averaged 23.2 ppg, 2.2 apg and 4.6 rpg, shooting 45.0% from the field and 33.0% from 3-point land.

As the WNBA returns, the Mercury could be a team on the rise with the playoffs rapidly approaching with Copper, Taurasi and Griner leading the way.

#11. Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm

As the Seattle Storm search for a new identity following the losses of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart over recent years, they have found new life in the 2024 season with impressive efforts from 34-year-old forward, Nneka Ogwumike.

In her 13th WNBA season, Ogwumike has averaged 17.4 ppg, 2.7 apg and 7.7 rpg for the fourth-seeded Seattle Storm who have impressed many to this point of the season.

As the Storm look to defend their fourth seed post-All-Star break, Seattle will look to Ogumike to continue her strong play alongside Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith.

#12. Ariel Atkins, Washington Mystics

With a 6-19 record through 25 games, Ariel Atkins has given Washington Mystics fans something to be excited about despite their lackluster record.

In 25 games this season, Atkins has posted 15.8 ppg, 3.6 apg and 3.7 rpg, shooting an impressive 34.0% from 3-point territory.

With backcourt partner Brittney Sykes receiving trade looks, Washington will look to capitalize on her high value in the trade market and add some draft capital as the team looks ahead to next season.

Moving Sykes could also open up the backcourt for Atkins to build on what's been an impressive season thus far.

Which player are you most excited to watch in the second half of the WNBA season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.