Las Vegas Aces forward Alysha Clark is the 2023 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year in her first year with the franchise. It is the first honor as the league’s top reserve for the 11-year veteran who is also a two-time WNBA All-Defensive Team selection. A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters voted on the recipient. Clark received 35 of 60 votes.
A player must play more games as a reserve than as a starter to be eligible for the award. Clark averaged 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 22.5 minutes per game. She played in all 39 of Las Vegas’ regular-season games, coming off the bench 38 times and starting once.
Connecticut Sun guard/forward DiJonai Carrington finished second with 13 votes while Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans came in third with nine votes. Dallas Wings center Kalani Brown, New York Liberty guard Marine Johannès, and Seattle Storm guard Sami Whitcomb received one vote each.
Highlights of Clark’s season:
- She made 38.6 percent of her three-point shots, ranking 17th in the WNBA in that category.
- She scored in double figures in 10 games, including a season-high 16 points.
- She recorded five or more rebounds 11 times.
Clark’s efforts helped the Aces earn a 34-6 record and secure the No. 1 seed in the 2023 WNBA Playoffs. The Aces advanced to the WNBA Semifinals and are set to host the winner of the series between the Dallas Wings and the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
The Aces have the most victories and the fifth-best winning percentage (.850) in a regular season in league history. The team also earned the highest offensive rating (113.0) and the most 100-point games (11) ever by a franchise in the league.
Clark is the third Aces player to win the Sixth Player of the Year honor. She joins Kelsey Plum (2021) and Dearica Hamby (2020 and 2019). Clark will receive $5,150 and a trophy designed to commemorate the award.
Previous recipients since the award’s inception in 2007.
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Brionna Jones |
| 2021 | Kelsey Plum |
| 2020 | Dearica Hamby |
| 2019 | Dearica Hamby |
| 2018 | Jonquel Jones |
| 2017 | Sugar Rodgers |
| 2016 | Jantel Lavender |
| 2015 | Allie Quigley |
| 2014 | Allie Quigley |
| 2013 | Riquna Williams |
| 2012 | Renee Montgomery |
| 2011 | DeWanna Bonner |
| 2010 | DeWanna Bonner |
| 2009 | DeWanna Bonner |
| 2008 | Candice Wiggins |
| 2007 | Plenette Pierson |
