The WNBA played its first season in 1997. In order to have the clash of the best and attract a large crowd, the league started its WNBA All-Star Game in the third year in 1999. Since then barring a few years, the All-Star game has taken place almost every year and awards the best-performing player of the game with the WNBA All-Star Most Valuable Player trophy.

Today, EssentiallySports takes a look at the WNBA MVP trophy and the award that comes with it. For starters, the trophy changed its size after the 2022 season.

WNBA All-Star MVP trophy history

The WNBA MVP trophy as mentioned is given to the player who performs best in the WNBA All-Star Game. Since its start in 1999, there have been no games only in 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2020. The trophy in the 2022 season was won by Kelsey Plum, which was described by many as a small teacup. The rumor circulated for the same stating that the trophy cost close to $18 but it was later found that the trophy was crafted by the luxury jeweler, Tiffany & Co. In addition to the WNBA All-Star MVP awards, the company also makes championship awards for NBA, NFL, MLB, and WNBA Finals trophies.

Post the whole fiasco that unfolded with the size of the trophy, the WNBA modified the size of the trophy to almost four times its original size which was lifted by 2023’s winner Jewell Loyd. Thus, the WNBA proved that it could compete with the NBA in commemorating its players’ achievements. This year, the WNBA MVP will take home a prize of $5,150 which again proves that the league is working hard to provide its players with the best rewards.

Owing to the Paris Olympics this year, the Team USA women’s basketball squad will compete against the WNBA All-Star roster. It is expected to be an exciting competition and fans will be waiting to see who wins the trophy in the end particularly because those who haven’t made it to the Team USA squad will be making a case for themselves in this game, and the underdogs will get a lot of boost if one of the players from the WNBA All-Star squad takes home the MVP award.

Who has won the WNBA MVP trophy most times?

The award in the inaugural season (1999) of the WNBA was won by Lisa Leslie. She used to ply her trade as a center for the Los Angeles Sparks. Leslie, for the unversed, took home the award thrice which is the highest by any player. She was named the MVP for the All-Star game in 2001 and 2002 too. Apart from Leslie, the other star to win the WNBA All-Star MVP award thrice is Maya Moore. Moore got the award in 2015, 2017, and 2018.

The team whose players have won the award most times is the Los Angeles Sparks. Apart from Leslie who bagged the trophy thrice, the other Sparks stars to have their hand on the award are Candace Parker and Nikki Teasley. This year too there are three participants who have won the award previously. While Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd were declared the All-Star MVP in 2022 and 2023 and will be plying their trade for Team USA, Arike Ogunbowale emerged as the winner of the MVP award in 2021 and will be playing for the Team WNBA.

Meanwhile, fans will be wishing the best for their stars and hoping that the best player eventually comes out on top and takes home the WNBA All-Star MVP award. Till then, they will be gearing up for the All-Star game which is scheduled to start in a few hours.