Unstoppable Shakira Austin Claims WNBA East Player of the Week
Shakira Austin Wins Big: WNBA Star Named Player of the Week (Again!)
What Happened?
The Washington Mystics have a reason to celebrate! Their center, Shakira Austin, just won a very special award. The WNBA (that’s the Women’s National Basketball Association) announced that Shakira has been named the Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from August 3–9, 2026.
Important Point: This is the second time in her career she’s won this weekly honor. Her first win was on June 24, 2025.
But wait—there’s more! She also won the Associated Press WNBA Player of the Week award… for the second week in a row!
Who Is Shakira Austin?
Let’s break it down like you’re 5:
- Shakira Austin is a professional basketball player.
- She plays center for the Washington Mystics.
- A center is usually one of the tallest players on the team. Their job is to:
- Grab rebounds (catch the ball after a missed shot)
- Block shots
- Score close to the basket
- The Washington Mystics are a team in the WNBA—the top women’s basketball league in the United States.
What Awards Did She Win?
| Award | Given By | For What? | How Many Times? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week | The WNBA | Best player in the East for one week (Aug 3–9, 2026) | 2nd time (1st: June 24, 2025) |
| Associated Press WNBA Player of the Week | The Associated Press (news organization) | Best player in the whole league for one week | 2 weeks in a row! |
Callout: Winning two Player of the Week awards in the same week—from two different groups—is a really big deal! It means lots of experts agree she played amazing.
When Did This Happen?
- August 3–9, 2026 → The week of games that counted for the award
- Announcement day → The WNBA made it official (the article says "today" — that’s the announcement date)
- June 24, 2025 → Her first Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week win
- Two weeks in a row → She won the AP award last week and this week
Why Does This Matter?
- It shows consistency. She didn’t just have one good game—she played great for a whole week… twice in a row for the AP award!
- It helps her team. When a star player plays well, the whole team usually wins more games.
- It builds her legacy. Two career weekly awards (and counting!) means she’s becoming one of the league’s top players.
- Fans love it! Mystics fans get to cheer for a superstar.
Summary
- Shakira Austin, center for the Washington Mystics, won two Player of the Week awards.
- Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week — for games Aug 3–9, 2026 (her 2nd career win).
- Associated Press WNBA Player of the Week — for the 2nd week in a row.
- This means she was the best in the East (Kia award) and the best in the whole league (AP award) for that week.
- She’s only the second time in her career winning the Kia award — first was June 24, 2025.
- Big moment for her, her team, and WNBA fans!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What is the WNBA?
The Women’s National Basketball Association — the top professional women’s basketball league in the U.S., with 12 teams.
2. What does a "center" do in basketball?
The center is usually the tallest player. They play near the basket, grab rebounds, block shots, and score close to the hoop.
3. Who gives out these awards?
- Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week → The WNBA league office.
- Associated Press WNBA Player of the Week → The Associated Press (a major news organization that covers sports).
4. Has she won before?
Yes! This is her second Kia Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. Her first was June 24, 2025.
5. Why is winning two in one week special?
Because two different groups (the league + a major news outlet) both agreed she was the best player that week. That doesn’t happen often!
Final Thought: Shakira Austin is on a roll. Keep an eye on her — she might just win even more awards this season!