WNBA Sixth Player of the Year 2024: Top 5 candidates ft. Chennedy Carter (Week 5)

The WNBA Sixth Player of the Year race has seen a lot of changes since Week 1. While some players have kept their names in the race, Week 5 has seen some new names added.

Here are the top five candidates for the 2024 award.

WNBA Sixth Player of the Year 2024: Top 5 candidates

#5, Aari McDonald, LA Sparks

Since Rickea Jackson has been promoted into the starting lineup, Aari McDonald has had a deep impact off the bench the last few weeks.

McDonald is averaging 8.4 points while shooting 43.9%, including 34.7% from the 3-point line. She is also averaging 3.4 assists and 0.8 steals per game. With Cameron Brink likely out of the lineup for the entire season, McDonald will see more minutes.

#4, Sophie Cunningham, Phoenix Mercury

Sophie Cunningham has been in the conversation for the SPOTY award since the start of the season. She has led the Phoenix Mercury bench the entire WNBA season.

Cunningham averages 8.3 ppg while shooting 46.6% (40.0% on 3-pointers). She has also been excellent on the other end of the floor, averaging 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 spg in 15 games.

#3, Aerial Powers, Atlanta Dream

Aerial Powers has slowly entered the conversation in the SPOTY in the last few weeks, elevating her scoring in the last few games for the Atlanta Dream.

Powers is averaging 8.8 ppg while shooting 36.8% (41.7% from the 3-point line). She is also averaging 3.3 rpg, 1.2 apg and 0.8 spg in 12 games this WNBA season.

#2, Temi Fagbenie, Indiana Fever

Temi Fagbenie has been one of the leading candidates since the start of the season. A leading scorer off the bench, she has been leading the Indiana Fever bench on both ends of the floor and remains one of the team's biggest voices.

Fagbenie has averaged 9.1 points on 56.9% shooting. She has also been instrumental on the defensive end, averaging 5.6 rpg, 0.9 spg and 1.0 blocks per game.

However, Fagbenie's candidacy could be compromised due to a foot injury that has kept her out of action since May 28.

#1, Chennedy Carter, Chicago Sky

Chennedy Carter’s elite offensive game largely remained out of focus because of the controversy surrounding her hard foul on Caitlin Clark. However, she has not only led the Sky's bench, but she is also one of the best players on Chicago’s roster.

In 14 games, Carter has averaged 13.7 points, far more than the second-best on the list while shooting 54.4%. She is also averaging 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.0 spg. Carter is leading the WNBA SPOTY list and is making her case stronger with each week.