DeWanna Bonner Named 2010 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year
From the Phoenix Mercury:
Mercury guard/forward DeWanna Bonner was named the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year presented by Kia Motors, the league announced today. Bonner wins the award for the second consecutive season becoming the first repeat winner in the award’s four-year history.
“I’m honored to win this award two years in a row,†Bonner said. “With so many great teams in the league there are a lot of other players who could have won it. I just try to help my team any way that I can.â€
“To win this award two years in a row is pretty remarkable,†Mercury President and General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale said, “especially with the talent in this league. DeWanna has really improved her game from last season and has adjusted to a new role on the court very well.â€
The second-year player increased her averages in points (12.0), rebounds (6.1), assists (1.3) and blocks (1.2) from her rookie season. She also shot a career high 46.5% from the field and 35.8% from the three point line, up by more than 20% from last season.
Leading the league in scoring and rebounding among players who came off the bench in at least 15 games, Bonner ranked 26th in scoring, 14th in rebounding and seventh in blocks overall. The 6-4 slasher scored at least 20 points four times this season, including a career-high 24 on two separate occasions, and single-handedly outscored the opponent’s bench six times.
Bonner did start four games this season in place of injured or resting players. In those four starts she averaged 15.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per outing. As a part of the starting lineup on June 29 at Atlanta, Bonner recorded career highs in three pointers made (4), assists (5) and minutes played (37).
Bonner also recorded four double-doubles on the year giving her nine for her career. On May 28 vs. Atlanta, she matched the franchise record with 12 defensive rebounds.
The Mercury opens the postseason tonight when it takes on the San Antonio Silver Stars at US Airways Center. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. The game will also be televised on ESPN2.
