Paige Bueckers is only in her second year in the WNBA. But the 24-year-old guard has already established herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, currently among the best lead guards on winning franchises. If there were a Sophomore of the Year award, Bueckers would be a big frontrunner, just as she was for the Rookie of the Year award last season.
But who else would be in the mix?
Here’s a power ranking of the 10 most impactful second-year players in the WNBA.
1. Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Bueckers was last year’s top draft pick and rookie of the year, and she’s played like it in the early days of the 2026 season. The Wings have made a massive leap from last season — they’re 7-4 — and Bueckers, who is averaging 18.7 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds, while shooting 50% from the field and 41.2% from three, is a big reason why.
2. Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics
Citron was the runner-up for Rookie of the Year last year, and she’s picked up right where she left off. While former Notre Dame teammate Olivia Miles is making headlines for her high-caliber play with the Minnesota Lynx, Citron is quietly having a strong sophomore campaign of her own. She’s averaging 17.1 points (second-most among second-year players), alongside 3.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.
3. Carla Leite, Portland Fire
Carla Leite wasn’t a Rookie of the Year candidate last year, but after going unprotected by the Golden State Valkyries, she was picked by Portland in their expansion draft and is now one of the engines powering the team. Leite is averaging 14 points (5th among sophomores) and 5 assists (second among sophomores). She’s also taken over in the clutch enough times
4. Dominique Malonga, Seattle Storm
Dominique Malonga got limited run to begin her rookie season. But this year, she’s starting games and has been one of the Storm’s primary scoring options, averaging 14.8 points (third among sophomores), 6 rebounds (third among sophomores), a block, and a steal. Malonga is the youngest player on this list — she’s only 20! — but she’s already demonstrated why she was drafted second overall last year.
5. Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
Kiki Iriafen earned the first Rookie of the Month selection in the class, and she’s continued her strong play into her sophomore season. Iriafen, a former Stanford and UCLA standout, is averaging 14.6 points (fourth-most among sophomores) and 8.9 rebounds (second among sophomores), while also showing her extended range (she’s shooting 35.7% from three this season).
6. Janelle Salaun, Golden State Valkyries
Drafted: Undrafted in 2023
Salaun is the Valkyries’ third-leading scorer, averaging 13.7 points per game despite coming off the bench. She’s also one of just two players on winning teams on this list, and has the highest plus-minus (+3.4). The 24-year-old is shooting 40% from three-point range and has played a big role in the Valkyries’ 7-5 start to the season.
7. Aneesah Morrow, Connecticut Sun
Aneesah Morrow is having an awesome sophomore season — the only problem is that the Sun just keep on losing. Morrow is averaging 12.3 points per game (7th among second-year players) and 10.9 rebounds per game (which not only leads the class, but is third-most in the league). But, the Sun have a plus-minus of -9.5 with her on the court, the worst of any player on this list.
8. Sarah Ashlee Barker, Portland Fire
Sarah Ashlee Barker was solid in her rookie season with the Los Angeles Sparks, but, like Leite, she’s taken her game to another level in Portland after being selected in their expansion draft. Barker is averaging 10 points while shooting 50.5% from the field and 45% from three. Like Leite, she’s also made several big-time plays in the clutch to help lead the Fire to a 6-7 record.
9. Monique Akoa Makani, Phoenix Mercury
Drafted: Undrafted in 2025
Monique Akoa Makani was impactful as a rookie on both ends of the floor, and she’s picked up where she left off. The Mercury guard is averaging 12.3 points while shooting 47.6% from three on 3.5 attempts per game. She’s also averaging 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3 rebounds per game.
10. Leila Lacan, Connecticut Sun
The Sun look a lot better with their floor general on the court, but they’re still only 1-4 since Lacan’s return to the lineup after she completed her overseas obligations. Lacan is averaging 11.4 points per game (9th among sophomores) and 4.8 assists per game (3rd among sophomores). But, albeit in a limited sample, her efficiency has taken a step back — she’s shooting 36.7% from the field, down from 47.7% last season.
