Dream F Naz Hillmon wins Sixth Player of the Year award

Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon made big strides as a 3-point shooter this season and it helped her claim WNBA Sixth Player of the Year honors, which was announced Saturday.

Hillmon received 44 of 72 votes from a national panel of media members. She easily outdistanced Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (22 votes).

Hillman, 25, came off the bench in 27 of Atlanta's 44 games. A player must play more games as a reserve than starter to be eligible for the award.

After making one total 3-pointer over her first three WNBA seasons, Hillmon made 53 this season and shot 32.1 percent from behind the arc.

Hillmon also had career-high averages of 8.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, while helping the Dream finish with the third-best regular season record. Atlanta was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Indiana Fever. She also had 21 steals and a career-best 19 blocked shots.

Hiedeman, 28, played all 44 of her games off the bench and averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 rebounds. She made 46 3-point baskets.

Minnesota's Jessica Shepard was third with four votes. Dominique Malonga of the Seattle Storm and Sami Whitcomb of the Phoenix Mercury each received one vote.