WNBA: Brittney Sykes is a top two-way talent

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories ranking the top 30 players in the WNBA as part of the Quickbooks “WNBA Hoopers Hierarchy.” Discover the rest of the ranking here.

Defense defines Ezi Magbegor of the Seattle Storm, Brittney Sykes of the Washington Mystics and Natasha Howard of the Dallas Wings. Magbegor has made two All-Defensive teams, Sykes has four All-Defensive honors in his career and Howard has the Defensive Player of the Year award, in addition to two All-Defensive selections. Yet their impact is not limited to just one end of the field.

This is why they claim the No. 22, No. 23 and No. 24 spots in the WNBA Hoopers hierarchy, Swish Call ranking of the 30 best players in the league in 2024.

No. 22 Ezi Magbegor

Ezi Magbegor is one of the best defensive players in the league. She made the All-Defensive team the last two seasons due to her outstanding rim protection. Magbegor is an excellent post defender and she rarely falls into the trap of fake shots, which means she is very disciplined on that end.

His role with the Seattle Storm has gradually increased each season since entering the league. In 2022, she became a regular starter, teaming with Breanna Stewart to anchor a top-three defense in the league. However, last year the team took a huge step back defensively with the departure of Stewart and the retirement of Sue Bird. (The 2023 Storm also finished last in offensive efficiency.)

So far, Magbegor has been put in very good situations defensively to succeed. I think she has limitations related to pick-and-roll actions in space. Teams make a conscious effort to attack her on the perimeter, which means certain matchups and defensive schemes can limit her. Then there is the offensive part, where it is still quite inconsistent.

She is a solid extra passer and has made strides as an outside shooter. If she can continue to improve and become a great, reliable reference, it will change everything. But without a consistent jump shot or good finishing ability, there are diminishing returns when paired with skilled offensive units.

Magbegor is still fantastic as a rim protector and post defender; there’s an argument for her being a top-five defender in the league. That’s enough to make her one of the top 25 players in the WNBA.

#23 Brittney Sykes

Brittney Sykes exploded last season, easily having the best season of her career. Joining a Washington Mystics team that was pretty awful offensively, Sykes somehow elevated the team to respectable offensive efficiency, despite the team’s lack of shooting. Last season, the Mystics posted an offensive rating of 103 when Sykes was on the floor, which would have been good for the fifth-best offense in the league; when she went to the bench, the Mystics dropped to an offensive rating of 94, which would have ranked them last.

This type of comeback is incredible considering what she did defensively as well. Sykes is an incredibly helpful defender as a guard. What stands out when watching her is her athleticism and her first step. Sykes was voted by the general managers as the most athletic player in the WNBA, which doesn’t surprise me at all.

Pressure at the rim was another strength of Sykes that was a boon for the Mystics last season. Because Washington’s other guards did not put tremendous pressure on the basket with their drives, the overall quality of the Mystics’ shots was relatively low in 2023. The frequency of the Mystics’ rim shots, however, increased by six percent with Sykes on the field. It’s absolutely crazy!

Sykes is no longer a 3-point shooter, but last season she shot 35 percent on four attempts per game. That’s not great efficiency, but for a team that has struggled to shoot the ball for several seasons, it’s a huge needle mover. I still wouldn’t call her a competent jump shooter, but any long-term improvement to her outside shot will likely move her even higher on this list. This year’s Mystics team is much better at shooting, so if Sykes can stay healthy, continue to attack the rim, maintain her two-way presence, and continue to improve as an outside shooter, she could have a strong argument for ranking in the top 20. future seasons.

#24 Natasha Howard

Natasha Howard is a versatile forward known for her two-way ability. At 6-foot-2, Howard plays much taller than she actually is. She and Teaira McCowan, her frontline partner with the Dallas Wings, form the most powerful duo in the league. It’s impossible to keep them both out of the glass.

Offensively, Howard excels in the paint, using his footwork to score in the post. His post moves and face-up play are refined, allowing him to score quite well around the rim. She also has a reliable mid-range jumper, making her a threat in pick-and-pop situations. Howard’s ability to stretch the floor provides tremendous value. The best part of his game might be his passing. I think Howard has a strong case to be the best passer in the league. She is good at making lying passes and she often initiates late plays as a passing hub. Howard can also find backdoor cutters from the high post.

That outside shooting, connected passes, and versatile defense are extremely valuable on championship rosters and why she won three championships, two of which she was a key rotation player for. She may not be at her peak anymore, but she was absolutely incredible for Dallas in their season opener against Chicago. Unfortunately, she broke her foot and is expected to miss the next few weeks.

Howard still has plenty of time to come back from her injury and reestablish why she is such a great player. Her blend of offensive and defensive versatility and high IQ passing makes her an indispensable player for the Wings, elevating the team’s performance on multiple fronts.