A’ja Wilson named AP WNBA Player of the Year

Wilson was also honored as the AP Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four seasons.

“Considering Coach [Dawn] Staley was so hard on me about my defense in college, I’m glad I can have some success at the pro level multiple times,” Wilson told the AP.

The WNBA will announce its postseason awards over the course of the playoffs, which begin Sunday. Wilson is a huge favorite to win the WNBA MVP for the second straight season.

The AP voting is done by a 14-member national media panel that votes on the power poll each week. It’s the 10th year of the awards.

Wilson once again led the league in scoring (23.4) as well as blocked shots (2.3).

Paige Bueckers was honored as the AP Rookie of the Year. The Dallas Wings’ No. 1 pick averaged 19.2 points and 5.4 assists in her first season. She also had a 44-point effort — the highest scoring game of anyone in the WNBA this season. The former UConn star finished with the third-most points ever by a rookie and second-most assists.

“I am very grateful for everyone who voted and saw me fit for Rookie of the Year,” Bueckers said. “I have always felt like individual awards are a way to acknowledge the team around you and that is exactly what this award means to me. My teammates, coaches, support staff, and everyone from top to bottom in the entire Dallas Wings organization played a huge part in this.”

Bueckers was joined on the AP All-Rookie team by Washington’s Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, Connecticut’s Leila Lacan, Golden State’s Janelle Salaun, and Seattle’s Dominique Malonga.

“Shoutout to this amazing rookie class,” Bueckers said. “There were a lot of unique journeys and a whole lot of hooping so we definitely put on for the class.”

Wilson, Collier, and Thomas headlined the AP All-WNBA first team. The trio were unanimous picks. They were joined by Atlanta’s Allisha Gray and Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell.

New York’s Sabrina Ionescu, Bueckers, Seattle’s Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum, and Las Vegas’ Jackie Young were on the second team.

Other winners included:

⋅ Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase. She led Golden State to a playoff berth in the expansion team’s inaugural season. It’s the first time that a first-year team made the postseason.

⋅ Comeback Player of the Year: Shakira Austin. The Washington Mystics forward missed most of last season with a hip injury and subsequent ankle sprain. Austin averaged 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds this season.

⋅ Most Improved Player: Veronica Burton. The Golden State Valkyries guard from Newton made the most of her opportunity with the expansion franchise. Burton averaged career highs in points (11.9), assists (6.0), rebounds (4.4), and minutes (29.4).

⋅ Sixth Woman of the Year: Naz Hillmon. The Atlanta Dream forward had a career season, averaging 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds to help the Dream secure the third seed in the postseason. She came off the bench in 27 of the team’s 44 games and has played in 151 consecutive contests overall.