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sports Wednesday 17 august 2022
Breanna Stewart earns AP WNBA Player of the Year honors

By DOUG FEINBERG per proud of her and her
AP Basketball Writer accomplishments."
Breanna Stewart is always — All Rookie Team. Howard
looking for ways to improve was joined on the AP all-
her game. This season, her rookie team by Shakira Aus-
efforts culminated in more tin of Washington, Rebekah
career milestones. Gardner of Chicago, Na-
The Seattle Storm forward Lyssa Smith of Indiana and
led the WNBA in scoring for Sam Thomas of Phoenix.
the first time in her career, — All-WNBA Teams. Stew-
averaging 21.8 points, and art and Wilson were unani-
Tuesday she became the mous first-team selections.
first player to repeat as The Joining them on the first-
Associated Press WNBA team are Candace Parker,
Player of the Year. Chicago; Kelsey Plum, Las
Stewart received six votes Vegas; and Sabrina Io-
for AP Player of the Year nescu, New York. The sec-
by the 10-member media ond team: Jonquel Jones,
panel narrowly edging A'ja Connecticut; Nneka Og-
Wilson, who received the wumike, Los Angeles; Alys-
other four votes. Stewart is sa Thomas, Connecticut;
the first two-time winner of Courtney Vandersloot, Chi-
the award since the AP vot- cago; and Skylar Diggins-
ing began in 2016. Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart brings the ball up against the Minnesota Lynx during the Smith, Phoenix.
"It's an honor to be rec- first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Seattle POWER RANKINGS:
ognized as the best in the Associated Press Las Vegas finished the year
league," said Stewart, who atop the power poll. Chi-
also was the 2018 player of and Natasha Cloud. Wilson "We've come up through cause of an Achilles injury cago, Connecticut and
the year. "Since I started in anchored the Aces' de- the fire and put our stamp that she suffered in January Seattle followed the Aces.
the WNBA in 2016, just try- fense, averaging 1.9 blocks on the WNBA. I'm proud 2021. Thomas averaged Washington was fifth with
ing to get better. Elevate and 1.4 steals a game. to be part of that group of 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds Dallas, New York and Phoe-
myself and the team, the Her Aces' teammate Jack- players that have played in and 6.1 assists. nix rounding out the top
league as a whole. A big ie Young was chosen the this league and impacted — Rookie of the Year. Rhyne eight. Minnesota, Atlanta,
honor, but we're motivated most improved player. it in a different way now." Howard was the No. 1 pick Los Angeles and Indiana
by more and that's trying to Tanisha Wright became Other AP winners included: of the Atlanta Dream and finished off the poll.
win a championship." the first former WNBA play- — Sixth Woman of the a near unanimous choice PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stewart's fourth-seeded er to win the AP Coach of Year. Brionna Jones was a the award. Howard aver- Wilson of Las Vegas earned
Seattle Storm begin their the Year award. She was unanimous choice a year aged 16.2 points and 4.6 the final AP Player of the
playoff run on Thursday in a one of six former players to after winning the AP's Most rebounds this season, help- Week honors after averag-
best-of-three series against be head coaches in the Improved Player. She av- ing Atlanta win six more ing 20.3 points, 10 rebounds
Washington. league this season — five eraged 13.8 points, 5.1 re- games than last season. and 3.3 assists to help the
The WNBA will announce led their teams to the play- bounds and 1.2 steals for "Rhy put us on her back Aces go 3-0 and clinch the
its league awards over the offs. Connecticut. and made a statement for top seed in the playoffs.
course of the postseason, "It's good practice to have — Comeback Player of the herself and the organiza- Other players receiving
which begins Wednesday. former players on the Year. Alyssa Thomas earned tion and franchise," Wright votes included Ionescu of
Wilson was selected as the bench whether they are the award after missing all said. "Carry that load and New York, Stewart of Se-
AP's Defensive Player of the head coaches or assis- but two games during the do it with the grace and attle and Chelsea Gray of
Year, edging Alyssa Thomas tant coaches," Wright said. regular season last year be- poise she did it with, I'm su- the Aces.q

Padres switch Tatis bobblehead giveaway to Soto shirt night

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The the Sept. 7 bobblehead Friday night home games,
San Diego Padres have night — until the positive feature vivid colors that
replaced a planned Fer- test. celebrate the cross-border
nando Tatis Jr. bobble- Instead, the Padres will of- culture of San Diego and
head night with a Juan fer fans shirts in the club's Tijuana. MLB said Tatis test-
Soto T-shirt giveaway after City Connect color scheme ed positive for Clostebol,
the superstar shortstop was with Soto's name and No. an anabolic steroid. Tatis
banned 80 games Friday 22 on the back before said he accidentally took
following a positive test for they play the Arizona Dia- a medication to treat ring-
a performance-enhancing mondbacks. The team an- worm that contained the
drug. nounced the change Tues- banned substance. Several
Tatis, a 23-year-old sensa- day. teammates were critical
tion and one of the bright- Soto, also 23 and one of of Tatis following Friday's
est stars in all of Major baseball's most well-known announcement, includ-
League Baseball, was on young faces, was acquired ing pitcher Mike Clevinger,
the cusp of returning to the from the Washington Na- who talked about being
Padres from a broken wrist tionals in a blockbuster "disappointed" in Tatis and San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. looks out from the dugout
that had sidelined him all deadline deal Aug. 2. hoping the shortstop realiz- prior to the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phil-
season. He was on track to The Padres' City Connect es "it's about more than just lies on June 25, 2022, in San Diego.
rejoin the team well before jerseys, which they wear for him right now."q Associated Press