How the 'Gold Mamba' transformed from a rookie backup into a scoring icon
In short: When Jewell Loyd entered the WNBA in 2015, she was a first-overall pick playing behind a legend. Today, she is a multi-time Olympic champion and a relentless offensive force. Discover the evolution of one of basketball's most prolific scorers.
Jewell Loyd’s professional journey began in Seattle, where she was drafted first overall by the Storm in 2015. Initially, her role was defined by the presence of veteran superstar Sue Bird. While Loyd had played point guard during her collegiate years at Notre Dame, the Storm's lineup required her to transition to shooting guard. During her rookie season, she served as a backup point guard, appearing in 34 games with 23 starts, eventually earning the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Her ascent to elite status was marked by consistent scoring surges. By her second season, she averaged 16.5 points per game, and by 2017, her average rose to 17.7. The 2018 season proved to be a turning point; she earned her first All-Star selection and helped lead the Storm to a championship victory over the Washington Mystics. This momentum continued through a period of global disruption. In the 2020 season, played in a pandemic-induced bubble at IMG Academy, Loyd secured her second WNBA championship after a sweep of the Las Vegas Aces.
Loyd’s individual dominance reached new heights in the early 2020s. In 2021, she recorded 37 points in a single game—the highest scoring output by any player that season—and tied a league record by scoring 22 points in a single quarter. Her efficiency and volume culminated in 2023, when she led the entire WNBA in scoring with a 24.7 points per game average. Beyond the WNBA, her international pedigree includes gold medals at both the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, cementing her legacy as a cornerstone of the United States national team.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Jewell Loyd
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