Who Dominated May? The WNBA Just Announced Its Best.

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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. WNBA Names Top Players and Coach of May 🌟

After highlighting the Players of the Week, it’s time to zoom out. The WNBA has just announced its top performers for the entire month of May:

• Western Conference Player of the Month: Napheesa Collier (Lynx)

• Eastern Conference Player of the Month: Allisha Gray (Dream)

• Rookie of the Month: Kiki Iriafen (Mystics)

• Coach of the Month: Sandy Brondello (Liberty)

WHY IT MATTERS: These early-season awards offer a snapshot of who’s excelling in the WNBA right now, even if they’re not always reflective of a team’s or player’s overall season success. Players and coaches get well-deserved recognition for their strong performances. And for fans, they’re a great way to stay plugged into who’s dominating the league.

🎥 Watch the moment rookie Kiki Iriafen learns about her award

2. CBS Launches New WNBA Pregame Show with Dawn Staley 📺

CBS will broadcast its first-ever nationally televised primetime WNBA game this Saturday, and they’re rolling out a new pre-game show to go with it. WNBA Tip Off will feature Dawn Staley and Renee Montgomery as analysts, alongside sports reporter and host Sarah Kustok. (CBS Sports)

WHY IT MATTERS: CBS is responding to rising interest in the league with new programming, top-tier talent, and primetime placement. Staley is a basketball icon and 3x national champion, Montgomery is a 2x WNBA champion guard, and Kustok is a trailblazing sports analyst. This move signals a deeper investment in the WNBA and its growing fanbase.

3. Trade Request Already? Seattle’s Li Yueru Wants Out 👀🇨🇳

It’s only early June and trade rumors are already swirling. According to multiple outlets, Li Yueru, Seattle’s 6'7" backup center, has requested a trade due to limited playing time. (ESPN)

WHY IT MATTERS: Trade requests happen, but this one’s unusual. Yueru is new to Seattle this season, after spending one season with Los Angeles in 2024 and one with Chicago in 2022. She’s always been a role player in the WNBA, averaging 11.3 minutes per game.

But there’s international pressure at play too. Yueru is a member of China’s national team, and officials are reportedly unhappy she’s skipping the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup to play in the WNBA. If she’s not playing for Team China, they expect her to have a larger role in the W.

🗳️ Yesterday’s Poll Results: When asked which Player of the Week impressed you more, most of you (47.7%) said you couldn’t choose between Allisha Gray and A’ja Wilson.