Zia Cooke is balling out, hitting the court for the Seattle Storm and playing the best basketball of her career, making us all take notice! Our very own guard, coming off the bench for the Storm all year long, is getting some real buzz in the Sixth Player of the Year conversation. It’s early, sure, but when you see the talent, you gotta get excited for what’s cooking in the Emerald City.
Cooke’s Craft and Consistency Off the Bench
Cooke’s impact for the Storm this season has been undeniable, even if her name isn’t screaming for a playoff spot like some of the other contenders. Averaging 7.6 points per game, she’s proving she belongs in this league. Look, her shooting from the field is still a work in progress, sitting at 35 percent, but you can’t deny the raw talent. She’s a fast, crafty guard with elite handles, capable of changing the game’s rhythm in a heartbeat. Coming off the bench, she provides that spark, that energy that can flip a possession or a quarter. It’s exactly what you want from your reserve players, and it’s why she’s playing the best hoops of her career right now.
The Runaway Favorite for 6POY
While we’re all buzzing about Zia, the runaway favorite for the Sixth Player of the Year award is still Janelle Salaün from the Golden State Valkyries. This woman is a certified force, plain and simple. She was the top option for this award midseason, and literally nothing has changed since then. Salaün has been in 38 games, all off the bench, showing that role truly does matter. She’s dropping 12.9 points, grabbing 3.9 rebounds, and dishing 1.2 assists. Only Gabby Williams on the Valkyries is outscoring her at 14.3 points per game. Over the last two seasons, Salaün has become one of the WNBA’s sharpest shooters, taking a team-high 6.1 three-point attempts and draining them at an impressive 39.7 percent clip. Her commitment to that reserve role is a massive reason Golden State has the second-best record in the entire league. That’s next-level good, that’s league-shifting.
Other Contenders and What It Means for the Storm
Of course, it’s a deep league, and there are other serious candidates for 6POY. Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever is another one to watch. She’s a ball of energy, a three-level scorer who creates momentum. Her perimeter game is lethal, hitting a career-best 43.4 percent from deep. Plus, she’s improved her on-ball scoring, creating her own shot and making 71.4 percent of her shots at the rim. Cunningham is the kind of player you hate to face but would kill to have on your team, an absolute irritant. But back to our Storm: even if Zia Cooke isn’t the frontrunner yet, seeing her name in this conversation is a big deal for our team. It shows her development, her raw talent, and what she brings off the bench. We know she’s got the handles, the speed, and the craftiness to get it done. Keep an eye on Zia, Seattle, because she’s only getting better. She’s got a bright future here in the Emerald City, and we’re ready for it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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