WNBA Most Improved Player Odds & Favorites for 2026 Season

Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard has emerged as the betting favorite in the 2026 WNBA Most Improved Player odds market at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

Get the latest WNBA odds and predictions for the WNBA Most Improved Player race in 2026:

Odds to Win WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year 2026

Who is the WNBA Most Improved Player Favorite in 2026?

Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard is the new betting favorite to win the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award. At -220, Shepard has an implied probability of 68.75% of claiming the trophy.

Shepard became the favorite in early June, passing Seattle Storm Dominique Malonga in the process. Shepard has been the biggest riser in this market, going from off the board to +900 within the first month of the season. She’s now a deserving favorite, especially compared to Malonga, a second-year forward for the Seattle Storm.

The last time a second-year player won the MIP award was in 2017, when Jonquel Jones accomplished the feat. There have been eight second-year players to win MIP since the award was created in 2000, including three in the first four seasons.

Of the eight second-year players to win MIP, none averaged more than 8.5 points per game as a rookie. In fact, their average scoring clip was 4.7 points per game, and their average PRA (points, rebounds, assists) line was 8.2 during their debut season. They increased those marks to an average of 12.8 points and 21.4 PRA, respectively, in their MIP campaigns.

Based on those trends, Malonga has a better chance at winning Most Improved Player than most sophomores. She averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game as a reserve in her rookie campaign.

Still, there is a chance that voters aren’t as impressed with an expected leap from Malonga, who was the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft. No second-year MIP winner has been higher than a No. 3 pick in their respective draft class.

WNBA Most Improved Player Prediction 2026

Prediction: Jessica Shepard

Predicting the Most Improved Player is a tricky business, but Shepard is a deserving favorite right now.

Shephard has emerged as a focal point in the Wings’ lineup due to her versatility. She’s averaging 15 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per contest. Shepard has notched three triple-doubles to rise to second on the list of WNBA players with the most career triple-doubles.

Portland Fire guard Carla Leite might offer better value as someone taking advantage of an increased role. Leite, who was drafted by the Golden State Valkyries at No. 9 overall last year, is averaging 15.3 points and 5.8 assists per contest.

Shepard would be the pick if the season ended today, but Leite is a worthy challenger.

Best challenger: Carla Leite
Value to watch: Marina Mabrey
Long shot to monitor: Natisha Hiedeman

List of WNBA Most Improved Player Winners

How Many Second-Year Players Have Won WNBA MIP?

Since the Most Improved Player award was introduced in 2000, eight WNBA players have won the MIP in their second professional season. These eight players are: Jonquel Jones (2017), Elizabeth Williams (2016), Skylar Diggins (2014), Crystal Langhorne (2009), Nicole Powell (2005), Michelle Snow (2003), Coco Miller (2002), and Tari Phillips (2000).

All eight players made massive leaps from Year 1 to Year 2. They averaged 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 14.1 minutes per game during their rookie seasons. They increased those marks to an average of 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 30.9 minutes per contest during MIP campaigns.

Has a No. 1 Pick Ever Won WNBA MIP?

Janel McCarville is the only former No. 1 overall pick to win the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award, accomplishing the feat by averaging 10.4 points per game in 2007.

McCarville was drafted by the Charlotte Sting as the No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft. She averaged 1.8 points per game as a rookie and 4.5 points per contest in her second season. She was subsequently chosen by the New York Liberty as the No. 3 pick in the dispersal draft for the 2007 season.