The WNBA announced that Rhyne Howard has been named Rookie of the Year for the 2022 season.
The lines have gone crazy this season 🔥 @howard_rhyne What is your 2022 Kia @WNBA Roy🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZP9Dcblhti
— WSLAM (@wslam) August 25, 2022
Howard led the Dream (14-22) to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The former Kentucky All-American averaged 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 36.1 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from beyond the arc. She was the only rookie named to the 2022 All-Star Game. She also made history by becoming the sixth rookie to score 30 or more points in her first four games.
Howard received 53 of the 56 possible votes from WNBA media members and broadcasters. Howard will also headline an all-rookie team that also includes Narissa Smith, Queen Egbo, Shakira Austin and Rebecca Gardner. Austin received two ROY votes and Smith received one. Howard becomes the second Dream player to win the RY, following Angel McCoughtry in 2009.
Howard came to the WNBA after a legendary career at Kentucky. Her honors include earning First Team All-American honors twice and receiving Freshman of the Year awards from the WBCA, USBWA and SEC. Her SEC honors include winning Player of the Year for the second year in a row, four All-SEC nominations, including three First Team selections from 2019 to 2021, and a spot on the All-Defensive Team in 2020. Includes selection.
