Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard has been named the 2026 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player.
Shepard made a massive statistical leap in her first season with Dallas, turning a career-best year into her first WNBA Most Improved Player award.
The sixth-year forward averaged 14.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, all career highs. She also led the WNBA with six triple-doubles and recorded 25 double-doubles.
Shepard’s production jumped significantly from her 2025 season with Minnesota, when she averaged 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
The breakout campaign also earned Shepard her first WNBA All-Star selection, including a starting spot.
🏆 2026 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player Voting
| Player | Team | Votes |
| Jessica Shepard | Dallas Wings | 29 |
| Shakira Austin | Washington Mystics | 25 |
| Carla Leite | Portland Fire | 11 |
| Marina Mabrey | Toronto Tempo | 4 |
| Dominique Malonga | Seattle Storm | 3 |
| Rae Burrell | Los Angeles Sparks | 2 |
Shepard edged Austin by four votes in the national panel voting.
Shepard’s 2026 Breakout
| Category | 2025 | 2026 |
| PPG | 8.0 | 14.5 |
| RPG | 7.3 | 11.1 |
| APG | 2.6 | 5.3 |
| Double-Doubles | 10 | 25 |
| Triple-Doubles | 1 | 6 |
Her six triple-doubles led the league, while her 11.1 rebounds per game ranked second in the WNBA.
📦 WHAT WE KNOW
- 🏆 2026 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player: Jessica Shepard
- 🪽 Team: Dallas Wings
- ⭐ First WNBA All-Star selection: 2026
- 📊 Career highs: 14.5 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 5.3 APG
- 🔥 Triple-doubles: 6, WNBA-best
- 💪 Double-doubles: 25
- 🗳️ Award votes: 29
- 🥈 Runner-up: Shakira Austin, 25 votes
- 📈 2025 → 2026 scoring jump: 8.0 → 14.5 PPG
- 📈 2025 → 2026 rebounding jump: 7.3 → 11.1 RPG
- 📈 2025 → 2026 assists jump: 2.6 → 5.3 APG
Shepard becomes the second Dallas Wings player to receive AP Most Improved Player honors, following Satou Sabally in 2023.
👀 THE BIGGER STORY
Shepard’s award comes during a historic turnaround season for Dallas.
After winning 10 games in 2025, the Wings finished the 2026 regular season with 27 victories, earning the No. 7 seed in the WNBA playoffs.
Her arrival in Dallas gave the Wings another high-level rebounder, passer and interior presence alongside Paige Bueckers, helping transform Shepard into one of the league’s most productive all-around forwards.
From 8.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in Minnesota to 14.5 points and 11.1 rebounds in Dallas.
That’s a breakout.
Jessica Shepard is officially the 2026 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player
