Seattle’s Jewell Loyd is WNBA Rookie of the Year

A person close to the situation says Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd has won the WNBA rookie of the year award.

The person spoke to The Associated Press late Wednesday night on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made.

Loyd was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft in April after forgoing her senior year at Notre Dame. She averaged 10.7 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Storm and is the 10th No. 1 pick to win the award.

The 21-year-old guard scored in double figures just once in her first eight WNBA games before finally hitting her stride. She had at least 10 points in eight of her final 10 games this season.

Other top rookies this season included Kiah Stokes of the New York Liberty and Natalie Achonwa of the Indiana Fever. Stokes finished second in both the defensive player of the year and sixth woman voting.