A’ja Wilson and Alanna Smith named 2025 WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year

For the third time in four seasons, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson has been named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

But this time there is a twist. Wilson will share the award with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith, the WNBA announced Thursday.

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Smith and Wilson received 29 votes each from 72 sportswriters and broadcasters on the panel. Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams finished in second place with nine votes, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was third with three votes and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was fourth with two votes.

Smith, in her seventh WNBA season, was a 2024 All-Defensive second-team selection. Smith helped Minnesota to a league-best 97.5 defensive rating. She finished second overall in combined steals and blocks (135), ranked third in both blocks per game (1.9) and total blocks (80) and tied for 10th in total steals (55).

Wilson led the WNBA in blocks per game (2.3), total rebounds (407), defensive rebounds (316), and combined steals and blocks (156). She also ranked second in total blocks (92) and rebounds per game (10.2).

Smith and Wilson will each be awarded $5,150 and a trophy.

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WNBA defensive player of the year voting

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces/Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx

2. Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm

3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury

4. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

Past WNBA defensive player of the year winners

• 2025: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces/Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx

• 2024: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

• 2023: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

• 2022: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

• 2021: Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx

• 2020: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks

• 2019: Natasha Howard, Seattle Storm

• 2018: Alana Beard, Los Angeles Sparks

• 2017: Alana Beard, Los Angeles Sparks

• 2016: Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx

• 2015: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

• 2014: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

• 2013: Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Sky

• 2012: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

• 2011: Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Sky

• 2010: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

• 2009: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

• 2008: Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

• 2007: Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm

• 2006: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

• 2005: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

• 2004: Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

• 2003: Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets

• 2002: Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets

• 2001: Debbie Black, Miami Sol

• 2000: Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets

• 1999: Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs

• 1998: Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty

• 1997: Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A’ja Wilson, Alanna Smith named 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year