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Shocking stat reveals that A’ja Wilson has competition as WNBA’s best defender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A’ja Wilson can do just about anything on the basketball court. The 2025 season merely served to enhance a legacy she has building since she entered the WNBA in 2018 and immediately became an All-Star.
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Last season, Wilson won her record-breaking fourth MVP award and led the Las Vegas Aces to their third championship in four years following a 14-14 start. Additionally, Wilson won her third Defensive Player of the Year award; in a unique arrangement, she shared the honor with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith.
But is Wilson really the best defender in the WNBA? By defensive rating, she is. The Aces allowed 96 points per 100 possessions with Wilson on the floor in 2025; it marked the second time in three seasons that Wilson led The W in the category.
However, Wilson has genuine competition as the league’s best defensive stopper.
The stop percentage statistic measures a player’s effectiveness at grabbing steals, recovering blocks and taking charges. Among players with at least 250 minutes played in 2025, Wilson ranked sixth in stop rate, behind Phoenix Mercury center Natasha Mack.
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Topping the rankings for 2025 is Lynx forward Maria Kliundikova. Her Minnesota teammate Smith placed third in the ranking, while Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins placed second.
No one would seriously debate that Wilson isn’t the WNBA’s best, most impactful defender. She has posted a defensive rating under 100 in each of the past seven seasons, the only player in the league to do so.
But while she stands alone in terms of her overall talent, Wilson has company in the WNBA’s defensive elite.
