Risers and fallers include Monique Billings, Courtney Williams
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Liz Loza, ESPN
The only constant in sports (and life) is change. While consistency is key to a winning strategy, the ebb and flow of production often can’t be avoided.
Tracking the endless ups and downs over 40 games and nearly four months can become a heady operation. Segmenting the journey, however, into weekly updates allows managers to live (and play) in the now.
That’s exactly what my Risers and Fallers column aims to accomplish, as we utilize ESPN’s metrics database for a deeper look at the numbers.
Risers
Monique Billings, F, Dallas Wings (46.7% rostered, +43.1)
From a revenge game to a homecoming, Billings has been balling since landing in Dallas. The UCLA product spent the last six seasons largely serving as a bench player for the Dream before being waived by the Sparks just one day ahead of the regular season tip-off. The Wings installed Billings as a starter nearly immediately. The 28-year-old has since cleared 30 minutes in three consecutive outings, recording double-digit points in each effort as well as a total of 30 boards over that three-game span.
Admittedly, Billings’ uptick in playing time is related to the respective absences of Jaelyn Brown (illness) and Natasha Howard (foot). Still, Billings’ clutch play (second in team FG% and total rebounds) has likely earned her an elevated role moving forward. Brown is expected to return on Friday when the Wings travel to Connecticut. Howard, however, figures to be sidelined for at least another 10 days. Averaging over 30 fantasy points per game, Billings has surprised as a top-20 fantasy producer and should remain in virtual lineups until an obvious shift occurs.
Julie Vanloo, G, Washington Mystics (18.2% rostered, +13.1)
We are barely two weeks into the 2024 WNBA season and have already been blessed with a plethora of positive personal narratives. Vanloo, a 31-year-old rookie, is adding to the immaculate vibes. Having played overseas for the past decade, the Belgian import is taking full advantage of every opportunity in front of her.
Registering four straight starts, Vanloo climbed up the depth chart in her second WNBA appearance, after Brittney Sykes exited with an ankle injury. Since then Vanloo has averaged 26.3 minutes per game, posting at least 12 points and 3 assists per game. Add in a total of 11 rebounds and Vanloo has become the virtual game’s 17th most productive player, managing 25 fantasy points per game over her last three outings.
The Mystics are scheduled to host the Dream on Wednesday. Sykes’ availability for that game is still unclear. Vanloo should see extended playing time, even if Sykes were to be eased back in. Regardless, the European standout has proven her worth as a fantasy asset and should be promptly added to virtual rosters.
Fallers
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, F, New York Liberty (93.7% rostered, -2.1)
Laney-Hamilton exploded onto the court (and stat sheets) in the season opener, demonstrating promise as one of the Liberty’s most effective two-way players. The 30-year-old managed double-digit points and precision from beyond the arc over the (super)team’s first four efforts. While her prowess off the glass has remained consistent (she’s collected exactly three boards for four straight games) her efficiency as a shooter has waned, as she’s recorded single-digit point totals (5 of 18 total attempts) in back-to-back efforts.
Admittedly, the Liberty most recently faced off against the WNBA’s most effective defense (91.2 DEFRTG) at Minnesota, which could have contributed to Laney-Haminton’s shooting woes (25.0 FG%). The schedule figures to ease up versus the Mercury on Wednesday. Still, Laney-Hamilton’s cooling off can’t be overlooked. Fantasy managers might want to consider her lack of offensive consistency while keeping an eye on matchups when starting the former Rutgers star.
Courtney Williams, G, Minnesota Lynx (97.2% rostered, -0.1)
On her fourth team in as many years, Williams is one of the league’s most consistent backcourt ballers. To carve out a starting role on a new squad in back-to-back-to-back-to-back seasons in no small feat. Williams dominated immediately, earning virtual managers an impressive 36 fantasy points in the season opener. Over her last two efforts, however, the 30-year-old’s point totals have dipped.
Despite registering double-digit field goal attempts in four of five contests, Williams has logged single-digit point totals in two straight outings. Struggles from downtown haven’t helped, as Williams has sunk just one 3-point shot (out of five attempts) since May 23rd. Fortunately, Williams’ contributions off the glass (5.6 rebounds per game) and as a facilitator (5.8 assists per contest) have buoyed her fantasy output. The Lynx will face the Aces (-6.5) in their next game on Wednesday.
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