The WNBA announced that Minnesota Lynx guard Crystal Dangerfield has been named the Rookie of the Year. She earned 44 of the 47 ballots based on a voting panel of league sportswriters and broadcasters.
Dangerfield also became the first second round draft pick to ever be named Rookie of the Year in league history. The Lynx now have back-to-back ROYs in Napheesa Collier in 2019 and now 2020.
“I’m incredibly proud that Crystal has been named the 2020 Rookie of the Year,” said Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve per release. “She demonstrated a strong belief in herself from the outset of our time here in Bradenton. Crystal was a key reason for the success the Lynx experienced in 2020 as she brilliantly rose up to the many challenges of shouldering the responsibility of running an offense as a rookie in the WNBA.”
Five Lynx players have won Rookie of the Year with Maya Moore (2011), Seimone Augustus (2006) and Betty Lennox (2000) added to the mix.
Dangerfield started 19 out of the 21 games this season averaging 30 minutes per game. She led the Lynx in scoring at 16.2 points and assists at 3.6 while shooting 47-percent from the field and 92-percent from the free throw line.
Dangerfield was overlooked in the 2020 WNBA Draft, potentially due to her 5’5 stature. Major props to the 2020 WNBA Coach of the Year, Cheryl Reeve, who saw the immense potential in the UConn guard. Prior to the end of the NCAA season, Dangerfield was playing the best basketball of her career and it seamlessly translated directly into the league. .
Congratulations to both Crystal Dangerfield and Cheryl Reeve on their honors.
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