Rebecca Allen finished the 2023 WNBA season with 50 blocked shots. She is only the 2nd player in the last decade to finish with 50 or more blocks in a season shorter than 6’3” AND the only player this year who had multiple games of 5+ blocked shots.
While she finished tied for 7th (Alanna Smith, Aliyah Boston, and Brittney Griner) in total blocks, per Basketball Reference, she finished just behind reigning Defensive Player of the Year and current blocks leader A’ja Wilson in block percentage as a wing.
Bec blocks shots with her incredible length, yes, but what impresses me the most about her is that she’s so patient on the perimeter and waits to deploy that 6’5” wingspan until the perfect opportunity presents itself. Her terrific timing when it comes to rising up to take away the opponent’s airspace is special - almost as if she has some sort of Spida sense. Most blocked shots from wings come from being great help defenders and while Bec is also that, she's largely swatting shots in single coverage.
Player A: 6’10" 47 games 67 blocks in 1672 total minutes played
Player B: 7’0" 58 games 57 blocks in 802 total minutes played
Player C: 6’9" 35 games 48 blocks 824 total minutes played
Player D: 6’2" 40 games 50 blocks 858 total minutes played
Player E: 6’6” 31 games 56 blocks 934 total minutes played
Players A-C are Kevin Durant, Christian Koloko, and Robert Williams III from the 2022-23 NBA season.
Player D is obviously Rebecca Allen from this year.
Player E is the legendary Sylvia Fowles from the 2021 season where she won Defensive Player of the Year.
The second to last player where she does strip down against Zia was listed as a block and while the very last play of the video was listed as a steal, I thought I should include it as she takes away as she chases Jackie Young off the line and then deflects the entry pass.
stats.wnba.com/players/tradit...
www.basketball-reference.com/...
www.robocoko.com/blog/rebecca...
All clips from the 23 season.
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