Sparks Dearica Hamby finishes second for WNBA Most Improved Player award
Many players took leaps this season, but none quite like Dearica Hamby of the Sparks, leading to her finishing runner-up for the WNBA Most Improved Player award.
The WNBA playoffs are underway and while the Los Angeles Sparks are not participating, they are finding success in September.
After a breakout season in her first season in Los Angeles, Dearica Hamby finished second for the Most Improved Player award, the WNBA announced on Wednesday.
LEVEL UP ⬆️
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2024
DiJonai Carrington has officially made her mark, earning the 2024 WNBA Kia MIP Award . With grit, grind, and determination, she's evolved into one of the league's top talents #KiaMIP | @kia pic.twitter.com/ANwvsPsblZ
Per release, DiJonai Carrington is the WNBA’s Most Improved, earning 28 of 67 votes. Carrington averaged career highs of 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.56 steals this season. @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/ZlKJcMDaLd
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) September 25, 2024
Hamby had a spectacular season for the Sparks and what's most impressive about that is that her resume already has plenty of highlights.
She won the WNBA title with the Las Vegas Aces in 2022, was named Sixth Woman of the Year twice in 2019 and 2020 and is a three-time WNBA All-Star.
This year, Hamby took charge as the Sparks' number-one option and reached another level, averaging 17.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. All numbers are career highs for the ten-year veteran.
These stats weren't just a matter of more minutes equals more production; her time on the floor increased by 8.9 minutes, but her points doubled.
Hamby was a vocal leader and backed up that talk by leading the team in points, rebounds, steals and minutes. She played in all 40 games, a feat only Kia Nurse and Jackson accomplished on the Sparks' roster.
With her play being a career-best, it’s no wonder Hamby was selected as a WNBA All-Star earlier this season. She was the only member of the Sparks who made the team, helping the WNBA All-Stars defeat Team USA in the exhibition game.
With Hamby signing a contract extension through 2025, she'll continue to lead the charge in this rebuild next season.
It's hard to envision the Sparks as a playoff contender, given that they're coming off the worst season in franchise history, but the Indiana Fever offers the blueprint.
Los Angeles has a young nucleus with Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, a star in Hamby and if they win the lottery and draft generational guard Paige Bueckers, it'll solve many of the Sparks' problems.
Luckily for the only WNBA team residing in Southern California, Hamby has continuously improved and is part of the solution. She gives this roster their only bonafide star for now while the next generation comes into their own.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.