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Congratulations to the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson and the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith, the first Co-Defensive Players of the Year in WNBA history.
Wilson, now a three-time DPOY (2022, 2023), and Smith both received 29 of 72 votes to tie for the honor. The Seattle Storm’s Gabby Williams earned nine votes to finish second and the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas captured three votes for third place. Last year’s winner, the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, was fourth with two votes.
The co-DPOYs are are alike in that they equally impactful defenders, yet Wilson and Smith also are opposites, arriving at their shared award through quite different career journeys. Wilson, of course, was fated for stardom as soon as she entered the league as the top pick in 2018, collecting cascades of honors throughout her eight WNBA seasons with the Aces. Smith, in contrast, took time to carve out her place in the WNBA. Drafted No. 8 overall in 2019 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury, Smith first established herself as a rotational regular with the Chicago Sky in 2023 before discovering her defensive upside when she joined the Lynx last season.
On the court, the superstar from South Carolina and the underrated Aussie are playmaking defensive anchors. Possessing elite mobility at matching 6-foot-4 heights, both Wilson and Smith not only can protect the rim, but also defend on the perimeter and in the pick and roll. Wilson, who led the league in blocks per game (2.3) and total “stocks” (156), employed her versatility by assuming a variety of defensive assignments during the Aces’ season-ending 16-game winning streak. Smith, who was third in blocks per game (1.9) and second in total “stocks” (135), unlocked various, switchable defensive schemes for the league-best Minnesota defense.
And most importantly, the duo’s defensive efforts helped their teams secure the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the WNBA Playoffs, with Smith’s Lynx taking the No. 1 spot ahead of Wilson’s No. 2-seed Aces. The mantra that defense, or the Defensive Player of the Year, wins championships very well could prove true in 2025.
Both Wilson and Smith will receive a trophy commemorating their award, as well as a prize of $5,150.
