With the Dallas Wings facing potential elimination from the WNBA Playoffs on Wednesday, forward Jessica Shepard was named the 2026 WNBA Most Improved Player.
In her sixth WNBA season and her first with the Wings, Shepard averaged career high marks of 14.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 31.7 minutes, up from 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 20.9 minutes with the Minnesota Lynx in 2025. She joined Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese as the only players to average a double-double this
season. Shepard was a starter in all 42 of her appearances this season and helped Dallas earn the No. 7 seed in the WNBA Playoffs.
Shepard came out of nowhere as one of the Wings’ most important connectors on offense, at times becoming the team’s second scoring option, and at others doing the Wings’ dirty work while defending larger opponents in the paint.
Shepard ranked second in the WNBA in rebounds per game (to Reese, again), fifth in shooting from the field (57.5%) and 11th in assists per game from the four position. Her ability to find open teammates helped Dallas average more assists per game (22.3) than any other team in the league.
Shepard’s six triple-doubles were the most in the W this year, and that mark is tied for second all time in any season. Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas had eight in 2025 to set the all-time mark as the total game count each season continues to creep upward. Shepard came into 2026 with just one triple-double to her credit.
On May 28, Shepard posted 22 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a 95-87 win over the Las Vegas Aces, becoming the second player in WNBA history with a 20-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist game. A’ja Wilson first accomplished the feat in a win over the Seattle Storm in 2024.
Shepard earned 29 first-place votes to win Most Improved Player. Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin was the runner-up with 25 first-place votes. Shepard was announced as the winner mere hours before the Wings hosted the Golden State Valkyries and the 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player, Veronica Burton.
Shepard was selected by the Lynx with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft. After playing five seasons with Minnesota, she signed with Dallas before the 2026 season. Shepard earned her first WNBA All-Star selection this year and was voted a starter after her strong start to the season.
