History Made! A'ja Wilson & Alanna Smith Share WNBA's Top Defense!

By: María Fernández Published On: 18/09/2025

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In a groundbreaking moment for the WNBA, Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx and A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces have been named Co-Defensive Players of the Year. This marks the first time in league history that the prestigious award has been shared.

The voting resulted in a tie, with both Smith and Wilson receiving 29 votes each. This unique situation arose because the WNBA only tallies one first-place vote for awards other than MVP, leaving no tie-breaking mechanism in place.

Other players receiving votes included Gabby Williams of the Seattle Storm (9 votes), Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury (3 votes), and Napheesa Collier, Smith's teammate on the Lynx (2 votes).

Alanna Smith's Defensive Prowess

Smith, standing at 6-foot-4, is a formidable rim protector for the Lynx, who boasted the league's best defensive rating during the regular season and secured the top seed in the playoffs. She ranked third in the WNBA with 1.9 blocks per game. Furthermore, Smith's defensive rating of 96.4 and defensive win shares of 2.9 placed her second among all players.

Her impact extends beyond defense, as she also contributed 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Smith's defensive contributions shone brightly during Collier's absence last month, where the Lynx went 5-2, showcasing her ability to anchor the team's defense.

A'ja Wilson's Dominance Continues

For A'ja Wilson, this is her third Defensive Player of the Year award, placing her among WNBA legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Sylvia Fowles, and Tamika Catchings. Wilson led the league with 2.3 blocks per game and was instrumental in maintaining the Aces' defensive competitiveness.

Paige Bueckers Named Rookie of the Year

In other WNBA award news, Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings has been named Rookie of the Year. Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, nearly achieved unanimous selection after an outstanding debut season, averaging 19.2 points.