WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year (MIPOY) Rankings 2024: Top 5 candidates ft. DiJonai Carrington (Week 8)

The 2024 WNBA season has given fans plenty of emotions in the first eight weeks of competition. Some teams have established themselves as legit contenders for the title, while some players have signed their names on the lists for major awards.

The race for the MVP and Sixth Player of the Year award are getting better by the day and when it comes to the Most Improved Player of the Year honor, more candidates are showing up on the favorites list. It could have seven or eight candidates, but this week, Shakira Austin and Chennedy Carter won't make the cut, although they could become serious candidates in the next few weeks.

Let's take a look at the top five candidates for the 2024 Most Improved Player of the Year award.

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Top 5 WNBA MIPOY Candidates After Week 8

#5, DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun

Connecticut Sun v Chicago Sky - Game Two

DiJonai Carrington has improved her level of play in recent weeks, making it back to the list for the second consecutive week. The Connecticut Sun guard has averaged 13.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while playing 29.5 minutes per outing. She's shooting 40.8% from the field and 84.1% from the free-throw line.

#4, Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx

Minnesota Lynx v Phoenix Mercury

Alanna Smith is a member of the inspired Minnesota Lynx team that has taken the league by storm this season. Despite sharing touches with other stars like Napheesa Collier, the 27-year-old forward has found a way to stay relevant. She's playing 28 mpg, scoring 11.8 points, grabbing 5.1 rebounds, and dishing 3.1 assists per game.

Moreover, she's posting 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks per outing, becoming one of the best two-way players in the WNBA.

#3, Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm

Chicago Sky v Seattle Storm

Ezi Magbegor, just like Alanna Smith, is also considered as one of the best two-way players in the WNBA today. The Seattle Storm forward/center is playing 31.7 mpg, averaging 13.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 2.4 apg. She also averages 1.6 spg and 2.6 bpg for one of the best teams in the league right now.

#2, Dearica Hamby, LA Sparks

Dallas Wings v Los Angeles Sparks

Dearica Hamby recovered her position after dropping one spot last week. The LA Sparks veteran is averaging 19.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg and 3.6 apg in 35.3 mpg. She has posted 13 double-doubles this season while shooting 51.4% from the field and 61.9% from the free-throw line.

#1, Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury

New York Liberty v Phoenix Mercury

When Kahleah Copper got hold of this position, she has not given it up since. The Phoenix Mercury may be struggling to find consistency this season, boasting an 11-10 record in the WNBA, ranking sixth in the league, but Copper is a bright spot for them. She averages 22.5 ppg, third in the entire WNBA, adding 4.6 rpg and 2.3 apg. She's shooting 44.0% from the field and 81.2% from the free-throw line.