Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard has been named the WNBA's Most Improved Player.
After spending five seasons in Minnesota after her college career at Notre Dame, Shepard signed with the Wings in free agency. She not only found a new home but got an expanded role.
Shepard is averaging a double-double with a career-best 14.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. She's also set career highs in assists (5.3) and minutes (31.7) per game. Shepard has four triple-doubles and had her career-best year rewarded by starting in her first All-Star Game. Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese was the only other player to average a double-double this season.
Shepard got 29 of 74 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Washington Mystics center
Shakira Austin was second with 25 votes and Portland Fire guard Carla Leite third with 11 votes.
The Dallas Wings are playing the Golden State Valkyries in the first round of the playoffs. Game 2 is Wednesday, Sept. 30 (9 p.m. ET, ESPN).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jessica Shepard found a new gear in Dallas, named WNBA's Most Improved
