WITH the WNBL taking a week off over the current weekend, it provides the perfect opportunity to see where the season is at after three rounds.

There were some big wins in Round 3 and some strong individual performances as sides like Bendigo Spirit and Townsville Fire remaining undefeated after some impressive performances from their stars on a weekly basis.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at the leaders in three key statstical categories now that the 2022/23 season is truly underway.

Points per game

Tiffany Mitchell (Melbourne Boomers) – 23.5
Lauren Nicholson (Townsville Fire) – 22
Tianna Hawkins (Townsville Fire) – 20.7
Anneli Maley (Bendigo Spirit) – 18.7
Chloe Bibby (Perth Lynx) – 18.3

It would be reasonably safe to assume the top five will look quite similar to this come season’s end. Mitchell has proven to be a class above her peers, scoring the rock with ease and jumping into early season contention for the MVP. Her ability to get free downhill and score at the coalface is exceptional, and she has proven to be a serious handful for opposition defenders. Nicholson and Hawkins have been hands down the best duo in the competition, and are a huge reason why Townsville are undefeated after three rounds, working perfectly in tandem to punish opposing teams. Maley has been at her damaging best and has successfully led Bendigo to a 3-0 record as well.

Rebounds per game

Anneli Maley (Bendigo Spirit) – 11.3
Cayla George (Melbourne Boomers) – 11
Dekeiya Cohen (UC Capitals) – 10.5
Lauren Scherf (Perth Lynx) – 10.3
Mikaela Ruef (Townsville Fire) – 9.3

Maley has been a double-double machine for years now, and that trend has continued into the current season. The Spirit can rely on her to secure the loose ball with pure strength and size as she bodies her opponents under the ring to get first touch. George is also a familiar face at the top of the list, while Cohen has been a shining light for the Capitals in a troublesome season. Scherf does not seem to be struggling with added responsibility, controlling the skies and consistently getting in the right position, while Ruef has been a key cog in a winning Fire side.

Assists per game

Steph Reid (Townsville Fire) – 8.3
Kelly Wilson (Bendigo Spirit) – 6.7
Tiffany Mitchell (Melbourne Boomers) – 6.3
Cayla George (Melbourne Boomers)/Lauren Scherf (Perth Lynx) – 5.8
Maddison Rocci (Southside Flyers) 5.3

Reid continues the Fire’s streak of at least one player on every list, and it has been a big reason for their rise to championship contention. She combines well in tandem with scorers like Nicholson and Hawkins, and is happy to sacrifice her own scoring to create the right shot. A similar thing can be said for Wilson, who has also been a big part of her team’s success, feeding the ball to Maley in the paint whenever possible. Mitchell’s appearance on this list only furthers her MVP claims after three rounds, while George and Scherf showcase their ability to do it all across the court, and Rocci has been a mainstay on this list throughout her whole career.