For the third time in four seasons, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson has been named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
But this time there is a twist. Wilson will share the award with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith, the WNBA announced Thursday.
Smith and Wilson received 29 votes each from 72 sportswriters and broadcasters on the panel. Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams finished in second place with nine votes, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was third with three votes and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was fourth with two votes.
Smith, in her seventh WNBA season, was a 2024 All-Defensive second-team selection. Smith helped Minnesota to a league-best 97.5 defensive rating. She finished second overall in combined steals and blocks (135), ranked third in both blocks per game (1.9) and total blocks (80) and tied for 10th in total steals (55).
Wilson led the WNBA in blocks per game (2.3), total rebounds (407), defensive rebounds (316), and combined steals and blocks (156). She also ranked second in total blocks (92) and rebounds per game (10.2).
Smith and Wilson will each be awarded $5,150 and a trophy.
WNBA defensive player of the year voting
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces/Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx
Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm
Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury
Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Past WNBA defensive player of the year winners
2025: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces/Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx
2024: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
2023: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
2022: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
2021: Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx
2020: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
2019: Natasha Howard, Seattle Storm
2018: Alana Beard, Los Angeles Sparks
2017: Alana Beard, Los Angeles Sparks
2016: Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx
2015: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
2014: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
2013: Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Sky
2012: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
2011: Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Sky
2010: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
2009: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
2008: Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks
2007: Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm
2006: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
2005: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
2004: Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks
2003: Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets
2002: Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets
2001: Debbie Black, Miami Sol
2000: Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets
1999: Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs
1998: Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty
1997: Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty
