Monique Akoa Makani: A Star in the Making

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You've probably heard of Paige Bueckers. Maybe you've also heard of Sonia Citron and some of the other rookies from the 2025 WNBA rookie class. But, have you heard of Monique Akoa Makani? Undrafted rookie for the Phoenix Mercury who played in France most recently before the WNBA and started in the WNBA Finals in her rookie season! Crazy, right? It's not too often undrafted rookies start in the WNBA Finals and yet there has not been much attention from the media on her.

For this project, I sourced data from Pro Basketball Reference, the WNBA website, and proballers.com.

Game Score and Points by 2025 Playoffs Series


Game score is a stat kept by Pro Basketball Reference analyzing overall performance by players. When looking at game score and points per game in each series the Phoenix Mercury played in the WNBA Playoffs, Monique Akoa Makani improved the bigger the stage was. Super impressive for a rookie to play better in higher pressure moments! There was a slight increase in game score from the first round to the semifinals, but both categories drastically improved in the WNBA Finals. Points per game for Makani increased to kjust under 10 PPG and the average game score nearly doubled. How have more people not taken notice of a rookie putting up these improvements in the WNBA Finals?

Monique Akoa Makani vs. Top 10 Picks in 2025 WNBA Draft in Key Advanced Stat Categories


Monique Akoa Makani didn't just shine in one moment given to her in the WNBA Finals, she earned her spot in the starting lineup with her standout play throughout the season. In some of the key advanced stat measures like offensive rating, defensive rating, assist to turnover ration, and effective field goal percentage, Monique Akoa Makani ranks better than all or nearly all of the top 10 picks from the most recent draft. She ranks the best on both sides of the court in rating, which is extremely impressive and shows the balanced effort and skillset Makani has. For assist to turnover ration, she ranks right near Paige Bueckers, who is arguably one of the best playmakers in the entire league. And, Makani can shoot efficiently as well. She ranks right behind a center and the three-point contest runner-up in effective field goal percentage showing that she can shoot well, effectively contribute on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, and takes care of the ball when she has it. Out of an undrafted rookie, she clearly has overperformed expectations and definitely earned her starting spot on the Finals roster.

Monique Akoa Makani Per Game Stats from 2024 and 2025 Seasons


Before the WNBA, Monique Akoa Makani played multiple seasons in France in the LBWL. In terms on per game production, Makani had higher production in every category in France, to be expected. The WNBA is the premier league in the world for women's basketball so the weaker competition in the LBWL should lead to higher production. But, it can also be seen that the minutes per game were also significantly higher in the LBWL in almost the same proportional manner as the other stat category increases. So, we must also analyze production based on time played to get the full picture.

Monique Akoa Makani Per 40 Minutes Stats from 2024 and 2025 Seasons


Now, looking at production based on a common denominator, per 40 minutes, we can still see that Monique Akoa Makani's production in the LBWL was higher. However, in rebounds and assists, Makani's numbers are pretty similar across both leagues showing how her balanced high-level skill set translated very well to the WNBA from international play. May we see an increase in higher draft picks in the WNBA from international leagues and players, just like the NBA has seen? That would be something interesting to look into.

Monique Akoa Makani Per 40 Minutes Stats from 2024 and 2025 Seasons


Lastly, looking how field goal percentage compared between Makani's play in both leagues, we can see that her shooting efficiency was very much similar. Even against stronger player and defenders in the WNBA, Monique Akoa Makani was still able to maintain her high shooting marks at around 44% on field goals.

After comparing numerous statistical measures across all sides of basketball play, it is clear that Monique Akoa Makani's name is flying under the radar. She is putting up stats better than top 2025 WNBA Draft picks getting a lot more attentions and she started every game in the 2025 WNBA Finals that just ended. Make sure to take not of her name because she is a star in the making and is here to stay.


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