Myisha Hines-Allen named WNBA’s Eastern Conference Player of September

On Tuesday, before the Washington Mystics’ playoff game against the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA announced that forward Myisha Hines-Allen was named the league’s Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

In September, Hines-Allen averaged 19.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in seven contests where Washington went 5-2. This included a four-game win streak that allowed them to clinch the final playoff berth. Along the way, she shot 56 percent from the field, 47.6 percent from three (10-of-21 attempts) and 94.1 percent of her free throws (16-of-17 attempts).

Overall this season, Hines-Allen averaged 17.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while making 51 percent of her shots overall and 42.6 percent of her threes (26-of-61 attempts). She didn’t make the 50-40-90 club like Elena Delle Donne last year, but wasn’t too far off after making a career-high 82.8 percent of her shots from the free throw line.

I want to say that yes, I was proven wrong by Washington after a Sept. 1 column I wrote stated that their playoff chances were effectively over. While Washington showed signs of life at the end of the season, and should have won yesterday’a game (which I’m bitter about), they still face a lot of questions on how to approach constructing next season’s roster, especially in the frontcourt.

That said, Hines-Allen has rightfully earned her place to be a major contributor to Washington’s team next season and beyond. Here’s hoping that she also wins the WNBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award as well!