Jessica Shepard wins 2026 WNBA Most Improved Player

Averaged 14.5 points, 11.1 boards and 5.3 assists

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

The 2026 WNBA Most Improved Player is... Jessica Shepard! @Mike_Yam and @Lexiebrown spotlight Jessica Shepard after she Via @NBATV on X

What happened: Shepard set career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game. She earned her first All-Star appearance during the 2026 season.

Why it matters: The jump to 14.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists marked a shift to primary playmaking responsibility. Her six triple-doubles, including a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist outing, placed her among the league's most versatile forwards.

By the numbers: 14.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game; sixth triple-double: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists; earlier triple-double: 13 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists.

What to watch: Watch for All-WNBA voting results to see if the breakout brings first-team honors.

Sources

@NBATV 2026-10-01T14:30:14.003457+00:00

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