Dangerfield Named WNBA Rookie of the Year

Crystal Dangerfield, a second-round pick in last year's draft,
has earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors. She becomes
the sixth UConn alumna to be named the league's top rookie.

By Bob Phillips

BRADENTON, Fla.– Former UConn star Crystal Dangerfield was named the 2020 WNBA Rookie of the Year this afternoon. Dangerfield, the No. 16 overall selection in the 2020 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx, is the first second round pick to earn Rookie of the Year honors in WNBA history, and the sixth former Husky to earn WNBA Rookie of the Year, joining Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier. She also becomes the second Husky to win the award in the last two years. Collier was the top rookie in 2019.

The 22-year-old superstar in the making received 44 votes from a national panel of 47 sportswriters and broadcasters. Atlanta Dream guard Chennedy Carter finished second with two votes and Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally was third with one vote.

As a second-round pick, Dangerfield wasn't expected to be a major contributor to the Lynx, at least in her first season. But a flurry of injuries thrust the Murfreesboro, Tenn., native into the starting lineup, and she certainly made the most of the opportunity. Dangerfield ranked 11th in the WNBA in scoring (16.2 ppg, pacing the Lynx) and third in free throw percentage (92.2 percent) while starting 19 of her 21 regular-season games and logging 30.0 minutes per contest. Among WNBA rookies, Dangerfield ranked first in three throw percentage, second in scoring, minutes and assists (3.6 apg), tied for fourth in steals (0.86 spg) and fifth in field goal percentage (47.1).

“It wasn’t my goal to come in and win this,” Dangerfield said. “I wanted to win games. I guess my play stood out.”

It sure did. Increased playing time allowed for one of her key characteristics while playing for the Huskies—leadership--surface quicker than it might have otherwise. She finished second in the league in fourth-quarter scoring (6.5 points), and shot 58.3 percent from the field in the fourth quarter.

But her leadership really came through in crunch time. In the fourth quarter. She finished second in the league in fourth-quarter scoring (6.5 points), and her shooting percentage jumped to 58.3% in the final quarter.

“That comes from back in college,” Dangerfield said. “Coach Auriemma always said you can’t wait for things to happen, you have to make them happen.”

“She’s been super aggressive, and she’s been so great for our team,” noted Collier. “Her heart is so big, just the way she plays, just flying her body around. I always knew Crystal had that in her. You could see it at UConn. But she’s really embraced that role on the Lynx. It’s just the beginning for her.”

The Lynx now have earned five Rookie of the Year honors—a list that includes another former Husky great, Maya Moore, who was the WNBA's top rookie in 2011.

—with staff reports