Who Is 2023 WNBA 6th Player of the Year? A Look Into 2x Champion Alysha Clark?s Career

Alysha Clark, a forward with the Las Vegas Aces, has been selected as the WNBA’s Sixth Player of the Year for the 2023 season. Clark averaged 6.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Aces this season, and her stellar play on the field was unquestionably essential to their victory. Prior to Clark bagging the title, Dearica Hamby won the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year title in 2019 and 2020, while Kelsey Plum won it in 2021. No other WNBA team has produced more than three Sixth Player of the Year winners.

Meanwhile, being a 2x Champion too, let’s take a closer look at Alysha Clark’s storied career.

A 17th pick-turned-2x WNBA Champion

Born to Kenneth and Jan Clark in Denver, Colorado, on July 7, 1987, Clark is one of eight children in the family. Clark attended Mt. Juliet High School, where her athletic talent shone through. Despite her success in volleyball and track, it was her choice to join the basketball team in her final year that launched her career. She made the decision because she wanted to keep fit, and it ultimately ignited her basketball career.

Clark’s journey went on as she continued her schooling at Middle Tennessee State University and Belmont University. She accomplished the extraordinary achievement of Player of the Year in each of her four years of playing. Clark spent two of those years at Middle Tennessee State and Belmont. She received the honor of Freshman of the Year during her first year at Belmont. Furthermore, Clark set a school record and led the NCAA in scoring as a senior, averaging an amazing 27.5 points per game.

Clark stepped into the WNBA in 2010 via the San Antonio Storm as the 17th overall choice in the draft. Unfortunately, she didn’t make the roster that year. This led her to play in the Israeli National League that year and the following season, which marked a turning point in Alysha’s career.

However, Alysha Clark joined with the Seattle Storm in 2012, marking the beginning of her career in the WNBA. She quickly cemented her place on the Storm’s roster and was crucial to their championship triumphs in 2018 and 2020. Clark was selected for the All-Defensive Second Team in 2019 and the All-Defensive First Team in 2020, making her one of the league’s top defenders.

Alysha experienced immense success in the WNBA.? However, she also had a huge impact internationally during the off-season. She participated in games for several teams in Israel, winning accolades including Domestic Player of the Year and First Team All-Israeli. Following this, Clark then played in Turkey and Poland for the upcoming two years. Clark’s extraordinary abilities were also acknowledged on the French basketball stage in the years 2018 and 2019.

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Clark reached the height of her achievements during the 2018?19 season by winning the French League Championship. Unfortunately, 2021 didn’t go as she anticipated.

Clark sat out the 2021 season due to injury but returned valiantly

Alysha Clark began a new phase of her basketball career in February 2021 when she signed with the Washington Mystics. Her career, unfortunately, encountered a significant setback when she was forced to miss the entire season. She sustained a painful Lisfranc injury to her right foot while competing in France. This was truly a trying time for the gifted athlete.

However, Alysha Clark triumphantly returned to the basketball world in December 2022. She returned to the international stage after signing a contract with Israeli champions Elitzur Ramla. She reconnected with trainer Shira Halyon, whom she had previously collaborated with during her EuroCup days, which made this signing all the more newsworthy.

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Alysha Clark returned to the WNBA in a grand manner in February after signing with the Las Vegas Aces as a free agent. She had a significant impact on the reigning champions while playing off the bench.? Furthermore, she won the prestigious award of 6th Player of the Year in her 11th season in the league. Clark received 35 out of 60 votes from a panel of national media members in the voting process. Clark put up outstanding performances in 39 regular-season games, with averages of 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

As she continues her championship run with the Aces, Alysha Clark is surely a player to look out for. Will Clark be able to add another feather to her cap along with the defending champions? Let us know in the comments below!