Our 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings have changed once again.
The 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year race was supposed to belong to Olivia Miles by now.
Instead, the last week may have completely changed the conversation, as well as our 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings.
Miles is still the clear favorite, but a wave of rookie scorers is suddenly crashing into the race at full speed.
Jovana Nogic is lighting up defenses from three-point range in Phoenix. Gabriela Jaquez has become one of the most important players on a rising Chicago Sky team.
Pauline Astier continues producing elite numbers in New York, while Kiki Rice is quietly emerging as one of the most efficient rookies in the entire league.
And that’s before we even mention the chaos surrounding Flau’jae Johnson, Azzi Fudd, and Lauren Betts.
One month into the season, this rookie class suddenly looks far deeper and far more dangerous than anyone expected.
Read on for our 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings for May 22.
1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx (-240)
LAST WEEK: #1 (NO CHANGE)
Olivia Miles is starting to separate from the field.
The Minnesota Lynx rookie is averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists through five games while already looking like one of the best young floor generals in the league.
The scoring efficiency remains strong at 50 percent from the field, and the biggest difference between Miles and the rest of this rookie class is consistency. Every night, she impacts the game in multiple ways.
The betting market agrees. Miles opened the season at +260, moved to -155 last week, and is now sitting at -240 after another dominant stretch.
At this point, everyone else is chasing her.
2. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix Mercury (+1000)
LAST WEEK: #4 (UP 2)
Jovana Nogic has officially forced herself into the top tier of this race.
The Phoenix rookie now leads all rookies in scoring with 92 total points while shooting an absurd 51.4 percent from three-point range through six games.
This type of elite efficiency is impossible to ignore.
The concern remains Phoenix’s 2-4 record, because team success still matters in award voting, but Nogic is becoming one of the biggest surprises of the entire WNBA season.
At this rate, she won’t stay near +1000 for long.
3. Gabriela Jaquez, Chicago Sky (+1400)
LAST WEEK: #5 (UP 2)
Gabriela Jaquez keeps doing exactly what winning teams need.
The Chicago Sky rookie is averaging efficient scoring, rebounding well for her position, and playing major minutes for a team that continues to climb the standings.
Her 28 rebounds lead all rookie guards and wings, and she’s quietly become one of the most complete players in this class.
Unlike some rookies putting up numbers on struggling teams, Jaquez is contributing to wins.
That matters.
4. Pauline Astier, New York Liberty (+1600)
LAST WEEK: #3 (DOWN 1)
Pauline Astier continues to produce whenever New York gives her minutes.
The French rookie is shooting over 62 percent from the field and 50 percent from three while helping stabilize the Liberty backcourt during Sabrina Ionescu’s absence.
The efficiency numbers are elite.
The problem is still role uncertainty. Once New York gets healthier, Astier’s minutes could become much harder to trust week-to-week.
Still, the production has been too good to ignore.
5. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo (+3000)
LAST WEEK: NR (NEW)
Kiki Rice finally breaks into the rankings after a huge opening stretch for Toronto.
The rookie guard has been one of the most efficient players in the entire class:
- 53.7 percent shooting
- 52.9 percent from three
- 68 total points through six games
Toronto’s expansion-season success is helping her case as well.
If her offensive role keeps growing, Rice could become one of the biggest movers in this race over the next month.
HONORABLE MENTION
Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm (+900)
The volume is still there, but the efficiency remains a major concern.
Johnson is shooting just 26.5 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three despite heavy usage in Seattle’s offense.
The opportunity is elite. The production efficiency is not.
Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings (+1600)
Azzi Fudd’s role still feels limited compared to the other top rookies, but the efficiency remains impressive.
She’s shooting 62.5 percent from the field through four games while Dallas continues balancing touches between Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
If the minutes increase, she could jump quickly.
Lauren Betts (+4000)
The per-minute production is intriguing, but the minutes still are not there yet.
Betts has shown flashes as a rebounder and interior defender, but Washington continues bringing her along slowly.
The upside remains enormous if the role changes later in the season.
