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7h ago

A'ja Wilson, Alanna Smith Named First-Ever WNBA Co-Defensive Players of the Year

A 29-29 split in first-place votes from a 72-member media panel produced the league’s first shared Defensive Player award.

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Sep 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) passes the ball while Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) defends during game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images/File Photo

Overview

  • Wilson collected her third DPOY (2022, 2023, 2025) while Smith earned her first; each will receive $5,150 and a commemorative trophy.
  • The remaining votes went to Seattle’s Gabby Williams (9), Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas (3) and Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier (2).
  • Smith anchored the No. 1 seed Lynx to a league-best 97.5 defensive rating, finishing with 135 combined steals and blocks and 1.9 blocks per game.
  • Wilson led key categories with 2.3 blocks per game, 407 total rebounds, 316 defensive rebounds and 156 combined steals and blocks as the Aces claimed the No. 2 seed after a 16-game win streak.
  • Minnesota now has DPOY winners in consecutive seasons on different players, and the announcement arrives ahead of Sunday’s MVP reveal, for which Wilson is a finalist.