It may be a voice ultimately without influence, but it is a voice nonetheless. Marine Johannes received one vote in the race for the WNBA best alternate trophy.
This vote highlights the season of the 28-year-old Frenchwoman, who achieved several good performances coming off the bench with the New York Liberty (7 points at 41% on shots, including 37% from distance), despite constant irregularity.
The tricolor finishes far from the winner, Alysha Clark, who garnered 35 of 60 votes from a panel of national media. The latter, aged 36, signed with the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, last February. “ She is a phenomenal person and teammate. I told her that I really liked playing small, and she fit that profile perfectly with her defensive qualities, her ability to shoot 3-pointers. », greets his coach, Becky Hammon, emphasizing his defensive impact.
The winger is less known for her offensive qualities. This season, she averaged just under 7 points on 44% shooting, including 39% from behind the arc in 22 minutes. Since this trophy was awarded in 2007, never has a winner posted such a low average points score.
A starter for most of her career, the double WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm (2018 and 2020) has in any case adapted well to her new role. “ For players like me, you have to do everything necessary and be consistent. You don’t have to be #1 to be liked in this league. I hope this will inspire other players to take on a role. Because your peers, your teammates and the league respect you that way », notes Alysha Clark.
The latter has just signed two outings at 13, then 14 points during the Chicago sweep in the first round of the playoffs.
