Scoring on the rise for Arike Ogunbowale
Credit to Author: Eric Moody| Date: Thu, 30 May 2024 16:28:54 EST
We are now over two weeks into the WNBA season and the action never slows down.
So which players are trending up? What are the latest betting trends? And which injuries could impact fantasy women’s basketball?
Let’s take a closer look around the league for the latest fantasy and betting tidbits on all 12 teams.
Even though Jordin Canada has yet to play this season due to a right-hand injury, Haley Jones (rostered in 3.8% of ESPN leagues) hasn’t been fantasy relevant as the starter in her absence. Despite scoring 26 fantasy points in the season opener against the Sparks, the former Stanford star hasn’t scored double-digit fantasy points since. There’s currently no timetable for Canada’s return.
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Angel Reese is opening eyes as the first rookie since Rhyne Howard in 2022 to record five consecutive games with 10 or more points at the start of her career. Howard achieved this feat in six consecutive games. Reese has exceeded expectations in fantasy leagues based on her average draft position this season, scoring 20 or more fantasy points in five straight games, including a remarkable 30-point performance against the Seattle Storm in her most recent game. Howard, who averaged 30.8 fantasy points per game during her rookie season with the Dream, provides us with a glimpse of Reese’s potential in 2024.
If you’re looking for a value pick for a championship winner, look no further than the Sun (+1200). Despite being 2-4 against the spread, Connecticut (6-0) is undefeated. The Sun also rank in the top four in both offensive rating and defensive rating. The way Connecticut shut down the Phoenix Mercury‘s offense on Tuesday should make you raise an eyebrow and take them seriously as a championship contender alongside the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty.
Arike Ogunbowale is making history as the first player in franchise history to lead the Wings outright in scoring for five consecutive games to start the season. Her ball handling is something to behold and with Ogunbowale on the floor the Wings can compete with any team in the league. Bettors should definitely consider betting on Dallas to win over 18.5 regular season games.
Prior to Wednesday’s news that Temi Fagbenle will miss two to three weeks due to a foot injury, the Fever’s rotation adjustments had been a boon for Fagbenle (42.3%). She scored 20 or more fantasy points in four of her last five games, logging an average of 27.8 minutes per game during that stretch. While Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith maintain high usage rates, Fagbenle’s knack for contributing across multiple statistical categories makes her a fantasy gem once she returns to the court.
A’ja Wilson leads all players with 50.4 fantasy points per game, and it’s easy to see why. She’s making history by becoming the second player in league history with a five-game span of at least 125 points and 60 rebounds. The only other player to achieve this feat was Lauren Jackson back in 2007, a season that saw her be named the league’s MVP title. Wilson (-115) is currently the favorite to win the award from a betting perspective.
Dearica Hamby has set her sights on earning the first All-WNBA selection of her career this season, and she’s already making significant strides. She joins an elite group as the third player in franchise history to average at least 20.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG through the first six games of a season. Nneka Ogwumike (2023), Candace Parker (2010) and Lisa Leslie (1998, 2006) are the other standout players in this exclusive club. Considering her average draft position, Hamby has proven to be a steal in fantasy leagues.
Napheesa Collier is having an epic season. She’s averaged 22.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.7 SPG and 2.0 BPG in 36.3 minutes through six games. Impressively, Collier is only the third player in league history to average at least 20.0 PPG, 2.0 SPG, and 2.0 BPG through the first six games of a season. The other two? Sylvia Fowles in 2017 and Sheryl Swoopes in 1999. Fowles went on to win MVP that year, while Swoopes finished second to Yolanda Griffith. Given this context, Collier (+750) is someone you should consider betting on to win the award.
If you selected Sabrina Ionescu at her average draft position, you might be feeling a bit disappointed with her fantasy production so far this season, especially when you compare it to players like Napheesa Collier and Arike Ogunbowale, who have similar ADPs. Currently, Ionescu is averaging 31.4 fantasy points per game, but she’s in a bit of a shooting slump with a field goal percentage of just 39.0% thus far. Ionescu’s performance against the Mercury on Wednesday is a step in the right direction.
Kahleah Copper was named Western Conference Player of the Week. This is her second time being recognized as Player of the Week honor, Cooper’s first came in 2022 during her time with the Chicago Sky. She has been a fantastic offseason addition for the Mercury, averaging 24.7 PPG. The only players who have a higher per game average are A’ja Wilson (26.2) and Arike Ogunbowale (28.8). From a fantasy perspective, Copper has been a great value pick at her average draft position. Also, she’s a strong MVP contender, currently at +1300 odds. Considering her performance, she’s definitely someone you should consider backing.
The Storm are on a roll, winning three straight games and finally climbing above .500 for the first time since the 2022 season. With stars like Jewell Loyd, Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor leading the charge, Seattle boasts a formidable lineup, making them less ideal for fantasy streamers considering their high usage rates. From a betting perspective, it’s encouraging to see the Storm’s offensive improvement, given their talent-rich roster. They’re rock solid on the other side of the ball, too, currently ranking third in defensive rating. Despite their recent success, they still trail behind the Aces, Liberty and Sun in championship odds, sitting at fourth place. Something to consider from a betting perspective.
Julie Vanloo (20.5%), a Belgium native, has spent her entire professional basketball career overseas and was signed by the Mystics this offseason after playing for Galatasaray of the Turkish Super League. The 31-year old has played very well so far in her WNBA career. Vanloo has scored 18 or more fantasy points in four of seven games. She’s also played 27 or more minutes in five of those games.