Jessica Shepard named WNBA Most Improved Player

Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard has been named the 2026 WNBA Most Improved Player. Shepard secured 29 of the 74 media votes to win the award, edging out runner-up Shakira Austin of the Washington Mystics, who received 25 votes.

In her first season with the Wings, Shepard averaged 14.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. This represents a significant increase from her previous season with the Minnesota Lynx, where she averaged 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. During the season, Shepard recorded six triple-doubles and became one of only two players to average a double-double throughout the year.

The award announcement comes as the Dallas Wings face potential elimination in the WNBA Playoffs. The team currently trails 0-1 in their best-of-three first-round series against the Golden State Valkyries.