Including this year, we have awarded the NIHOF NBA Cup by awarding the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1. Obviously, we can’t watch all the games, but box scores and write ups give an approximate idea as to who were each game’s top five.

This year, we decided to the same for the WNBA.

The top players for the WNBA NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points.  It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.  

Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency, but snapshots of each game.

Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.  

So, like we said the last two years in other leagues, WNBA players!  Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is our ninth update, as of September 4, 2023.

Here are the 2023 top ten rankings for the WNBA NIHOF CUP:

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE INCLUDING THE COMMISIONERS CUP FINAL IN CUP POINTS.

1. A’Ja Wilson: Las Vegas Aces, Forward: (#1 Last Week)

139 PTS, 39 Games*, 3.56 Cup Points per Game, 22.3 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2.2 BPG, 31.7 PER, 9.5 WS.

Wilson, who is the reigning two-time MVP, took over the WNBA Cup lead five weeks ago and will likely hold it until the end. She is the league leader in Blocks per Game (2.2) and PER (31.7), while holding strong in the top three in Points and Rebounds per Game. Wilson, who was named the June and July Player of the Month is a favorite to repeat as MVP, as are her Aces to successfully defend their championship.

2. Breanna Stewart: New York Liberty, Forward: (#2 Last Week)

130 PTS, 38 Games*, 3.42 Cup Points per Game, 22.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 28.9 PER, 9.9 WS

Stewart has been phenomenal thus far in her first season in New York, and is close to averaging a double-double; a mark she has never finished a season with, though that likely won’t be in the cards. She is second in Points per Game (22.9) and PER (28.9), third in Rebounds per Game (9.4) and Blocks per Game (1.6). Stewart also won two Player of the Month Awards this season, and is the league-leader in Win Shares (9.9).

4. Alyssa Thomas: Connecticut Sun, Forward: (#4 Last Week)

123 PTS, 37 Games, 3.32 Cup Points per Game, 15.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 20.3 PER, 5.5 WS.

Thomas was knocked off the top spot some time ago, but the three-time All-Star is still posting the best numbers of her career, which included her setting a WNBA record with her fourth WNBA regular season triple-double. Her traditional metrics are the significantly higher than in previous years, and she close to averaging a double-double. She is at present the league leader in Rebounds (363), Assists (291) and Rebounds per Game (9.8), and is second in Assists per Game (8.1). Thomas’ overall per Game averages are better than ever, and this could be the season of her life.

4. Nneka Ogwumike: Los Angeles Sparks, Forward: (#3 Last Week)

119 PTS, 35 Games, 3.40 Cup Points per Game, 19.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 25.4 PER, 5.7 WS

The 2018 MVP fought her way to the top, dropped to fourth, which is where she is currently. She has never finished over 20 Points per Game but Ogwumike is only .9 away from that. Currently, Ogwumike is sixth in Rebounds (9.0), Points (19.7) Steals per Game (1.7). She is also fourth in PER (25.4).

5. Napheesa Collier: Minnesota Lynx, Forward: (#5 Last Week)

118 PTS, 35 Games, 3.37 Cup Points per Game, 21.3 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 24.7 PER, 4.8 WS

The 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year is fourth in Points per Game (21.3) and seventh in both Steals (1.6) and Rebounds per Game (9.4). She is also holding strong at fifth in PER (24.7).

6. Jewell Loyd: Seattle Storm, Guard: (#7 Last Week)

99 PTS, 35 Games, 2.83 Cup Points per Game, 24.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 20.6 PER, 3.5 WS

Loyd is the current leader in PPG (24.6), though this has not generated a lot of wins for Seattle. She is also the league leader in Usage Percentage (32.6).

7. DeWanna Bonner: Connecticut Sun, Forward: (#10, Last Week)

88 PTS, 37 Games, 2.38 Cup Points per Game, 17.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 20.6 PER, 5.0 WS

Bonner remains in the top ten, though is not in the top ten in any significant statistical category.

8. (TIE) Satou Sabally: Dallas Wings, Forward: (#6 Last Week)

86 PTS, 35 Games, 2.46 Cup Points per Game, 18.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 22.0 PER, 5.4 WS

Sabally was averaging a double-double up until a last month, but is nearly doubling last year’s metrics. The fourth-year player is in the top ten in Points, Rebounds and Steals per Game, as well as PER and Win Shares.

8. (TIE) Jackie Young: Las Vegas Aces, Guard: (#7 Last Week)

86 PTS, 39* Games, 2.20 Cup Points per Game, 18.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 23.2 PER, 7.4 WS.

Young is seventh in PER (24.5) and is ninth in Points per Game (18.5). The Ace’s Guard has proven herself as one of the top shooters in the league, as she is first in Effective Field Goal Percentage (.618), and second in 3-Point Field Goal Percentage (.453) and True Shooting Percentage (.660).

10. Arike Ogunbowale: Dallas Wings, Guard: (#10 Last Week)

85 PTS, 37 Games, 2.30 Cup Points per Game, 21.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 16.2 PER, 3.5 WS

Ogunbowale remains in the top ten, and she is fifth in Points (21.1) and Steals (1.7) per Game, while leading the WNBA in Minutes per Game (37.2).

Dallas’ Natasha Howard fell off of the top ten.

Our next update will be on at the end of the regular season.

Steve Harwell, the lead singer of Smash Mouth passed away at the age of 56 following liver failure. He had been battling alcoholism for years, and it took his life yesterday.

Using elements of pop, punk, ska and alternative rock, Smash Mouth first hit it big in 1997, with their hit, “Walkin’ on the Sun” that topped the U.S. Alt-Rock Chart. Their second album saw two of their singles reach the mainstream charts, “All Star” and “Then the Morning Comes”. Their last significant hit was a cover of the Monkees’ “I’m A Believer” in 2001. Harwell retired in 2021 from health issues, last having performed while intoxicated at a festival.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Steve Harwell.

2024: Pre-Season Rank #107, 2023: Pre-Season Rank: #143.  Peak Period: 2019-20/2022-24

In 2025, Laremy Tunsil became a Washington Commander and joined a team that shocked the football world by making it to the 2024 NFC Championship. 

Light on his feet and a master of defending the pass rush, Tunsil has been a Pro Bowl Selection five of the last six years (all with Houston) but has never been an AP All-Pro.  A monster season on a Super Bowl Championship would change that.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 1,052 (up from 1,036 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the fifteenth update, with standings as of the afternoon of September 4.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

202 Cup Points, 135 Games, 1.50 Cup Points per Game, 44 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, 20 SB, .304/.412/.654, 9.9 bWAR & 10-5, 3.14 ERA, 167 SO, 1.061 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so, although he has been shut down on the mound for the rest of the year. It will be hard for him to lose the cup (though Mookie Betts is making us ponder that), but he won’t be able to compile any more stats pitching wise, as he was shut down on the mound. With his bat, Ohtani is the current AL leader in bWAR (9.9), Runs Scored (102), Home Runs (44), Triples (8), Walks (91), OBP (.412), Slugging (.654), OPS (1.066), OPS+ (182) and Total Bases (325), while also placing third in RBIs (95), and fourth in Batting (.304). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #2, Last Week)

184 Cup Points, 130 Games, 1.42 Cup Points per Game, 38 Home Runs, 99 Runs Batted In, 10 SB, .316/.410/.615, 7.9 bWAR.

Betts has been on fire over the last month, propelling himself to second over Acuna, and causing pause to think if Ohtani can be caught. In the National League, he took over the top spot in Slugging (.615), OPS (1.025), OPS+ (172) and bWAR (7.9) this past week and has moved up to fifth in Batting (.316) and third in OBP (.410). Betts has also climbed to third in RBIs (99) and fourth in Home Runs (38).

3. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #3 Last Week)

167 Cup Points, 136 Games, 1.23 Cup Points per Game, 32 Home Runs, 85 Runs Batted In, 63 SB, .335/.416/.578, 6.8 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (63), Hits (184), Runs Scored (123), OBP (.416) and Total Bases (318). He is also second in bWAR (6.8) and OPS (.994), and third in Batting (.335), Slugging (.578) and OPS+ (163). Acuna is also the runaway leader in Power-Speed # (42.4).

4. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

155 Cup Points, 136 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 89 Runs Batted In, 17 SB, .335/.411/.576, 6.0 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Doubles (51), while also currently placing second in Batting (.335), OBP (.411), and OBP+ (163) third in OPS (.987) and fourth in Slugging (.576). He is also third in Runs (111) and Hits (181).

5. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #5 Last Week)

150 Cup Points, 136 Games, 1.10 Cup Points per Game, 44 Home Runs, 113 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .266/.373/.581, 4.8 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (44) and RBIs (113), and is second in Slugging (.581), fourth in OPS (.953) and eighth in OBP (.373). He is enjoying the best year of his career.

6. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #7, Last Week)

145 Cup Points, 138 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 28 Home Runs, 84 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .261/.400/.493, 4.4 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (113) and is fourth in OBP (.400), and sixth in OPS (.893).

7. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#6, Last Week)

139 Cup Points, 134 Games, 1.04 Cup Points per Game, 26 Home Runs, 99 Runs Batted In, 26 SB, .289/.371/.511, 4.0 bWAR.

In regards to the Slash Line, Tucker is seventh in Batting (.289), sixth in OBP (.371) and fourth in Slugging (.511), while holding strong at fifth in OPS (.992). He is also in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, Stolen Bases and Extra Base Hits.

8. Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (#9, Last Week)

132 Cup Points, 132 Games, 1.00 Cup Points per Game, 22 Home Runs, 64 Runs Batted In, 40 SB, .279/.361/.515, 5.0 bWAR.

The Diamondbacks have the likely National League Rookie of the Year in Carroll who is in the top ten in bWAR, Runs and Stolen Bases and is first in Triples (8).

9. (TIE) Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #8 Last Week)

131 Cup Points, 129 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game, 29 Home Runs, 91 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .270/.342/.508, 2.9 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently fourth in the AL in RBIs (88) and fifth in Home Runs (29), and sixth in Slugging (.508).

9. (TIE) Alex Bregman: Houston Astros, Third Base: (Ranked #10, Last Week)

131 Cup Points, 137 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 22 Home Runs, 90 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .266/.365/.445, 4.6 bWAR.

Bregman remains in the top ten, giving Houston two to join the Dodgers and Braves in the top ten. He is in the top five in Walks (77), RBIs (90) and Runs (88).

Nobody fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of September 11.