WNBA Sixth Player of the Year History
The WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Award is presented
annually to the league's top reserve player. To be eligible, a player
must appear in more games as a reserve than as a starter during the
regular season.
The award was introduced in 2007, when
Plenette Pierson of the Detroit Shock became the first
recipient.
From 2007 through 2020, the award was known as the
WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Award. Beginning in 2021,
the award became known as the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year
Award.
WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Winners
| Year |
Player |
Position |
Team |
| 2025 |
Naz Hillmon |
Forward |
Atlanta Dream |
| 2024 |
Tiffany Hayes |
Guard |
Las Vegas Aces |
| 2023 |
Alysha Clark |
Forward |
Las Vegas Aces |
| 2022 |
Brionna Jones |
Forward |
Connecticut Sun |
| 2021 |
Kelsey Plum |
Guard |
Las Vegas Aces |
| 2020 |
Dearica Hamby |
Forward |
Las Vegas Aces |
| 2019 |
Dearica Hamby |
Forward |
Las Vegas Aces |
| 2018 |
Jonquel Jones |
Forward |
Connecticut Sun |
| 2017 |
Sugar Rodgers |
Guard |
New York Liberty |
| 2016 |
Jantel Lavender |
Forward |
Los Angeles Sparks |
| 2015 |
Allie Quigley |
Guard |
Chicago Sky |
| 2014 |
Allie Quigley |
Guard |
Chicago Sky |
| 2013 |
Riquna Williams |
Guard |
Tulsa Shock |
| 2012 |
Renee Montgomery |
Guard |
Connecticut Sun |
| 2011 |
DeWanna Bonner |
Forward |
Phoenix Mercury |
| 2010 |
DeWanna Bonner |
Forward |
Phoenix Mercury |
| 2009 |
DeWanna Bonner |
Forward |
Phoenix Mercury |
| 2008 |
Candice Wiggins |
Guard |
Minnesota Lynx |
| 2007 |
Plenette Pierson |
Forward |
Detroit Shock |
WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Facts
-
Plenette Pierson of the Detroit Shock became the
first winner of the award in 2007.
-
DeWanna Bonner is the only player to win the award
three consecutive times, earning the honor with Phoenix in 2009,
2010 and 2011.
-
Allie Quigley won consecutive awards with the
Chicago Sky in 2014 and 2015.
-
Dearica Hamby won consecutive awards with the
Las Vegas Aces in 2019 and 2020.
-
The Las Vegas Aces produced five winners in six
seasons from 2019 through 2024: Dearica Hamby twice, Kelsey Plum,
Alysha Clark and Tiffany Hayes.
-
Connecticut Sun players have won the award three
times: Renee Montgomery in 2012, Jonquel Jones in 2018 and
Brionna Jones in 2022.
-
Naz Hillmon became the first Atlanta Dream player to
win the award when she was selected as the 2025 Sixth Player of the
Year.
2025 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year
Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon won the 2025 WNBA
Sixth Player of the Year Award, becoming the first player in franchise
history to receive the honor.
Hillmon received 44 of 72 votes from the national
panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Minnesota's Natisha Hiedeman
finished second with 22 votes.
During the 2025 season, Hillmon appeared in all 44 games and made
17 starts while helping Atlanta finish with a franchise-record
30 victories.
Most Sixth Player of the Year Awards
| Player |
Wins |
Years |
Team |
| DeWanna Bonner |
3 |
2009, 2010, 2011 |
Phoenix Mercury |
| Dearica Hamby |
2 |
2019, 2020 |
Las Vegas Aces |
| Allie Quigley |
2 |
2014, 2015 |
Chicago Sky |
About the Award
The Sixth Player of the Year Award recognizes players who provide
major contributions while primarily coming off the bench. The role can
include scoring, defense, rebounding, playmaking and veteran leadership.
A player must appear in more games as a reserve than as a starter to
qualify for the award.
