Monique Akoa Makani’s numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet.
The Phoenix Mercury rookie started 40 games and averaged 7.7 points and 2.7 assists this past season, solid numbers but ones that won’t blow you away. But the Cameroonian guard was responsible for all the little things, including critical defensive assignments, and ultimately became one of Phoenix’s most pivotal players.
The Mercury — now a WNBA Finals team — have notably been much better with Akoa Makani on the floor than with her off of it; during the season, they outscored teams by 9.6 points with her on the floor, and they were outscored by 0.8 points with her off it.
Still, Akoa Makani wasn’t recognized on the WNBA’s All-Rookie team.
The WNBA announced on Monday that 72 media voters selected the following five rookies:
- Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers
- Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron
- Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen
- Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga
- Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün
No voting breakdown was shared.
I, a senior WNBA writer for SB Nation who serves as one of 72 media voters, voted for Bueckers, Citron, Iriafen, and Salaün for the All-Rookie team. But, I ultimately selected Akoa Makani in place of Malonga since she played a considerably larger role for the Mercury than Malonga did for the Storm (she also contributed to more wins).
Why voters likely selected Dominique Malonga over Monique Akoa Makani
Still, Dominique Malonga established herself as a worthy candidate as well, and played an increasingly larger role on the Storm. In her last 15 games, she’s averaged 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks (contrast that with her first 15 games, in which she averaged 4.5 points in 8.5 minutes per night). Per 36 minutes, she was the second-highest scorer in the rookie class (averaging 19.4 points per game).
Had Malonga had a larger role earlier in the season, she likely would have gotten my vote. But, in May and June, more than 20 rookies averaged more minutes per game than she did. To me, that minimal role put her below someone like Akoa Makani, who was so integral to Phoenix’s success all season long.
I actually considered several other rookies for the All-Rookie team, including Connecticut Sun rookies Saniya Rivers, Leila Lacan, and Aneesah Morrow. But, only five could go on the final ballot.
This was a stacked rookie class.
