This week's article features a few players that have been in this space before, that continue to play well and demonstrate that they should be rostered on many more fantasy women's basketball teams than they currently are.
There are also a couple of players that are new to this space, that have been out of the WNBA for years before returning this season and taking advantage of their opportunities.
Also, shout out to Chiney Ogwumike, who's rostered in 11.3% of leagues but is fresh off a 12-point/10-rebound double-double in only 18 minutes in her last game. If she strings together a few games like this, look for her to be featured in this article in the near future.
Aari McDonald, Atlanta Dream (35.8% rostered in ESPN leagues): McDonald moved into the starting lineup for the Dream three games ago after Erica Wheeler went out with a foot injury, and the results have been explosive. She has increased her scoring and assist totals in each of the three games, from 13 points and 4 assists in the first start up to 20 points and 6 assists in the third. Overall, she's averaged 17.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.3 RPG, 2.0 SPG and 1.3 3PG in 38.7 MPG while starting those three games. Wheeler is expected to return soon from injury, but the Dream are a young team on the way up, built around this year's No. 1 overall pick Rhyne Howard. McDonald was the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, and at the level she's playing it seems like it'd be difficult for the Dream to move a potential future cornerstone back to the bench.
Moriah Jefferson (20.9%) and Nikolina Milic (6.2%), Minnesota Lynx: Jefferson and Milic have both been featured in this space before, but both are still available in the vast majority of leagues. Jefferson averaged 14.2 PPG, 5.0 APG, 2.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG and 1.5 3PG in her first six starts with the Lynx, then missed three games injured and had three pedestrian games in her return. She seems to be all the way back, now, fresh off scoring 23 points with 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 3-pointers in 32 minutes of a 1-point loss to the Aces. Milic, meanwhile, has moved into the starting lineup for the Lynx with Sylvia Fowles out, and in her last three games has averaged 13.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG and 0.7 3PG in 28.7 MPG.
Marine Johannes, New York Liberty (6.3%): Johannes has only been back in the WNBA for four games after having sat out since 2019, and she's started the last two with Rebecca Allen in the concussion protocol. Johannes has played 36 and 35 minutes in her two starts, and in the most recent one she popped for 23 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 5 3-pointers and a steal. Johannes' role moving forward isn't clear, but she seems to be playing herself into peak form and has upside even once Allen and the rest of the Liberty get healthy.
AD Durr, Atlanta Dream (3.4%): Durr was traded to the Dream a couple weeks ago, and they have quickly proven that they're ready for more opportunity. They have scored 21 points off the bench in two straight games, averaging 21.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.5 3PG, 0.5 SPG and 0.5 BPG in 28.5 MPG in those two games. Durr, like McDonald, has gotten more run due to teammate injuries. But, also like McDonald, Durr is a young player that is showing they're ready to play. After a solid rookie season in 2019, Durr missed two seasons due to COVID-19 concerns, and is showing on their new team that they can produce when called upon.