UConn in the WNBA: Crystal Dangerfield named 2020 Rookie of the Year

After a stellar rookie season, Crystal Dangerfield was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year on Thursday afternoon, receiving 44 of the available 47 votes for the award. Dangerfield, who was drafted 16th overall by the Minnesota Lynx, is the first non-first round pick to win the award.

This year marks back-to-back Rookie of the Year awards for the Minnesota Lynx, with UConn’s Napheesa Collier taking home the title last season. Dangerfield is the sixth former Husky to win the award, joining Collier, Breanna Stewart (2016), Maya Moore (2011), Tina Charles (2010), and Diana Taurasi (2004).

Despite Cheryl Reeve anticipating a smaller role for Dangerfield this season, she earned a starting spot in the Lynx’s third game due to injuries. The point guard scored nine points in her first start, and then scored in double figures in every game for the rest of the season, holding on to the starting point guard role.

En route to the award, Dangerfield led the fourth-ranked Lynx in scoring with 16.2 points per game. Her 3.6 assists per game were also a team high and she tallied the assist on over 21 percent of Minnesota’s made shots while on the floor. Dangerfield also ranked 11th in the league for total points scored and 14th for total assists. Among her rookie class, Dangerfield ranked second in points per game, assists per game and minutes per game.

Dangerfield and the Lynx begin their post-season run tonight, as they face the Phoenix Mercury in the second round of the WNBA playoffs. You can catch three UConn Rookie of the Year winners on the court (Dangerfield, Collier and Taurasi) at 7pm ET on ESPN2.