A’ja Wilson and Alanna Smith Share WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

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Photo:AP

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has once again shown her dominance on the basketball court by being named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. This year, she shares the award with Alanna Smith from the Minnesota Lynx, making history as it is the first time the award has been given to two players in the same season.

Both Wilson and Smith received 29 votes each from 72 sports experts who voted for the best defender in the league. The award, which started in 1997, has always gone to one player, until now.

For Wilson, this is her third Defensive Player of the Year award in just four years. She previously won in 2022 and 2023, tying her with basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes for the third-most wins in this category. Only Tamika Catchings, with five awards, and Sylvia Fowles, with four, have won more times.

This season, Wilson stood out with her incredible defensive skills. She blocked 2.3 shots per game, grabbed 7.9 defensive rebounds per game, and averaged 1.6 steals, making her one of the toughest players for opponents to score against.

Alanna Smith also had an outstanding season. Her team, the Minnesota Lynx, led the league in scoring efficiency, putting up 97.5 points per 100 possessions. Smith ranked second in total combined steals and blocks with 135, third in average blocks per game with 1.9, and third in total blocks with 80. Her impressive performance helped the Lynx secure the top seed in the playoffs, while the Las Vegas Aces finished second.

Smith’s win also continues a special trend for the Lynx. Last year, Napheesa Collier, another Lynx player, won the Defensive Player of the Year award. This makes the Lynx the first team to have two different players win this award in back-to-back seasons.

In the voting, Wilson and Smith were far ahead of their competitors. The next closest player was Gabby Williams from Seattle with nine votes. Alyssa Thomas from Phoenix received three votes, and Collier had two votes.

Both Wilson and Collier are also considered frontrunners for the WNBA MVP award, which will be announced soon. The strong defensive performances of Wilson and Smith could influence the MVP race, showing how critical defense is in basketball today.

With the Aces and Lynx finishing at the top of the league, both teams are strong contenders for the WNBA playoffs, promising exciting matches for fans. Wilson and Smith’s recognition proves that defense can be just as important as scoring points, and it celebrates players who make it difficult for their opponents to succeed.

This year’s award is historic, not only because of the tie but also because it highlights the growing talent and competitiveness in the WNBA. Both players have inspired fans with their energy, skill, and dedication, proving why they are among the best defenders in professional women’s basketball today.

WNBA Defensive Player of the Year