WNBA Sixth Player Of The Year: Alysha Clark Of Las Vegas Aces
Alysha Clark, Las Vegas Aces
The WNBA’s Sixth Player of the Year was announced on Monday and went to forward Alysha Clark of the Las Vegas Aces.
After switching to a full-time starting role early in her career, Clark, an 11-year pro, earned the award in her first season off the bench. Clark played 22.5 minutes a game for Las Vegas Aces during the regular season, averaging 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 38.6% from outside the arc.
She is the team’s top backup player for the reigning champions, who won the best-of-three series against the Chicago Sky to claim the top seed in the playoffs and go on to the semifinals. In Sunday’s game versus Chicago that decided the series, she scored 14 points.
She took the bench in 38 of the Aces’ 39 regular-season games while participating in 39 all of them. Following Candace Parker’s surgery to treat a left foot fracture and subsequent extended absence, her minutes for the Aces increased in value.
DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun (13 votes), guard Dana Evans of the Sky (9 votes), and Clark (35 of 50) were the other candidates for the honor. One vote casted for each of the following players: Seattle Storm guard Sami Whitcomb, New York Liberty guard Marine Johannès, and Dallas Wings center Kalani Brown.
In her career, Alysha Clark has twice earned the All-Defensive Team. Since Kelsey Plum (2021) and Dearica Hamby (2020, 2019) both received the honor, the Aces have a history of winning the sixth player of the year distinction.
The Aces will compete against the winner of the semifinal contest between the Wings and Atlanta Dream. With Game 2 planned for Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN), the Wings lead the series 1-0. On Sunday in Las Vegas, the semifinals will start.
