It’s OFFICIAL! Betnijah Laney Named 2020 WNBA Most Improved Player

Photo Screenshot @AtlantaDream Twitter

The league announced today that Atlanta Dream forward-guard Betnijah Laney has been named the 2020 WNBA Most Improved Player and will receive $5,150 and a specially designed trophy from Tiffany & Co. 

The 6-foot, five-year WNBA veteran, Laney won the Most Improved Player Award for the first time and joins Elizabeth Williams (2016) as players to earn the honor with the Dream.

From 5.6 PPG in 2019 to 17.2 PPG in 2020 🤩

Join us in congratulating Betnijah Laney on earning the 2020 #WNBA Most Improved Player! pic.twitter.com/efGkUxMBqm

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 24, 2020

She became only the sixth player in WNBA history to average at least 17 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.5 steals per game in a single season and the first since Maya Moore did it in 2016.

Laney received 25 of 47 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen finished in second place with 21 votes. Las Vegas Aces forward-guard Angel McCoughtry received one vote.

“I was in the car heading to the gym, the commissioner call me and gave me the news. I was just really excited, smiling and happy.” said Laney on the moment she received the news.

In 2020, Laney shot career highs of 48.1 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point range this season. Last season, she shot 36.2 percent from the field and a then career-high 30.3 percent from three-point range.

 She scored at least 20 points seven times this season after not having a 20-point game in her first four WNBA seasons. She reached the 30-point mark twice, including a career-high 35 points against Washington on Aug. 19. Laney also recorded a career-high 11 assists against the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 21.

What’s Next for Betnijah: Laney is now a free agent after signing a one-year deal with the Dream. Coach Nicki said Laney has expressed she wants to return to the team that gave her a chance.