Rookie Roundup
Forwards fighting through adversity
Thanks for reading the Her Hoop Stats newsletter. We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Hudl. Hudl’s industry-leading tools - Sportscode, Instat, and Fastmodel - elevate the preparation, performance, and player development of WNBA and NCAA teams. We appreciate their support and look forward to working with them to help bring more insight about the women’s game to you.
You can find me on Bluesky and HHS on Bluesky, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
Facing one of the steepest learning curves in the WNBA, first-year frontcourt players are immediately confronted with a whole new level of strength, speed, and physicality. Even a couple of months into the season, many of them are still learning how to stay out of foul trouble, earn consistent minutes, and make a meaningful impact with limited playing time. And while their progress isn’t always reflected in the box score, these young post players are gaining invaluable experience with every game. As they continue to adjust to the demands of the professional level, several rookies are more consistently showing they deserve a long-term spot in the league.
Lauren Betts, Mystics
Entering the WNBA as a lottery pick, the 6-foot-7 national champion faced high expectations despite joining a young team that already had a talented duo anchoring the paint. And even though Betts has spent most of the season coming off the bench, her development has been encouraging. When Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen were sidelined by injuries, Betts stepped into a larger role, took advantage of the expanded opportunity, and has since continued to improve in nearly every statistical category. Comparing her last 12 games to the first 10 games of her rookie season, she’s averaged more points (7.3 vs 5.8 ppg), rebounds (4.4 vs. 2.7 rpg), assists (1.3 vs. 0.4 apg), stocks (1.6 vs. 0.4 spg) and a better field-goal percentage (59.1% vs 47.8%).
Now averaging 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, the qualities that made Betts a top draft pick have become increasingly evident and more routine. Whether it’s efficiently converting around the basket (75.9% in the restricted area), altering shots defensively, or using her length to fight for possessions on the glass, her presence in the lane is felt on both ends of the court. Looking ahead, continuing to refine her defensive discipline, improving her reads against double teams, and expanding her offensive range will be important areas of growth. Still, with Betts already showing noticeable progress over the course of the season, it’s clear she’s starting to find her footing. And if that trajectory continues, she has all the tools to develop into a foundational frontcourt piece for the Mystics and one of the standout players from this draft class.
Frieda Bühner, Fire
Selected No. 17 overall, the 6-foot-2 forward from Germany faced one of the more unique transitions to the WNBA. Not only did she have to acclimate from overseas basketball to a new league, she also joined an expansion franchise with a first-year coaching staff while starting her career as a developmental player before working her way up to a standard contract. But her patience, hard work, and determination are paying off. The Fire’s coaching staff has clearly grown more comfortable keeping Bühner on the floor, and that increased trust and usage has resulted in noticeable growth in both her confidence and production.
Averaging 8.7 points over the past six games, Bühner has more steadily shown why Portland was willing to invest in her long-term potential. While she may never overwhelm opponents with elite athleticism, she’s a skilled stretch-four who can shoot, understands the intricacies of the game, and fits into modern offensive spacing. As the season has progressed, she’s looked much more decisive, making quicker reads, hunting her shot more, and capitalizing on mismatches once they arise. That, along with her combination of size, touch, and basketball IQ, has helped her carve out a nice role within Portland’s deep rotation. If she continues to improve her strength, defensive versatility, and 3-point consistency, Bühner has all the ingredients to develop into a dependable contributor for many years to come.
Awa Fam, Storm
With overseas commitments delaying her arrival until after the season had already begun, Fam entered the WNBA without the benefit of a full training camp or the valuable time most rookies get to learn a new system and develop chemistry with their teammates. She also joined a young team navigating its share of growing pains under a new coaching staff. Often sharing the paint with Dom Malonga, the pair comprises the league’s youngest starting frontcourt and carries a level of responsibility that typically falls to more veteran players. Despite those hurdles, the 6-foot-4 Spanish forward has wasted little time making her presence known, quickly posting impressive numbers and showing why she was viewed as one of the premier international prospects in the 2026 draft.
Averaging 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, Fam has impressed with her production and with how seamlessly her game has translated to this next level. Her combination of athleticism, finesse, and elite feel for the game has allowed her to impact the game in numerous ways. Whether converting in transition, knocking it down from beyond the arc, or making plays in space, she’s looked increasingly comfortable going up against some of the very best. Moving forward, continuing to add strength, ramping up her aggressiveness, and becoming more assertive in finishing through contact will better help her compete against top frontcourt opponents. But given the rapid growth in her level of play despite her late arrival, Fam’s progression suggests she not only has the potential to become a cornerstone player for her franchise, but that it could happen much sooner than many expect.
Madina Okot, Dream
After her bid for an additional season of NCAA eligibility was denied, the 6-foot-6 former South Carolina Gamecock came into the league facing one of the most demanding adjustments of this rookie class. Having first picked up basketball at just 16 years old, Okot is still learning some of the nuances of positioning, defensive reads, and offensive counters that many of her counterparts have been refining for a decade or more. In addition, after primarily operating as a traditional interior presence at South Carolina, she’s been pushed to adapt her style of play with the Dream to a way that further maximizes her mobility, challenges her processing speed, and expands her offensive versatility.
Okot’s growth has become increasingly evident, though. With four double-digit scoring performances in her last nine games, including a season-high 19 points against the Portland Fire, she’s shown she can be an efficient scorer in limited playing time. With a player efficiency rating of 21.6 (18th best overall), she’s averaging 6.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in only 10.0 minutes per game. She’s also shown noticeable progress as a rim protector, displaying both improved timing and positioning. While her development is still very much ongoing, the fact that she’s already become a productive contributor despite her relatively limited basketball background speaks volumes about her work ethic and potential upside. So even though her statistical profile may not yet rival the top rookies in this class, few players have shown a more impressive trajectory, and her gradual improvement leaves little doubt that her impact on games will continue trending upward.
Between learning their new teams’ complex offensive sets and defensive systems, building chemistry with their teammates, and going up against some of the world’s most talented interior players, these rookies continue to battle to make an impact and are quietly laying the groundwork for future success as they work through the growing pains of their first professional season.
Thanks for reading the Her Hoop Stats Newsletter. If you like our work, be sure to check out our stats site, our podcast, and our social media accounts. You can find me on Bluesky and HHS on Bluesky, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.