Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot by Washington Mystics forward Tianna Hawkins (21) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Mandalay Bay Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 | 9:14 a.m.
A'ja Wilson is the best defensive player in the WNBA once again.
The Aces superstar was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, the league announced this morning.
Wilson received 32 first-place votes out of a panel of 60 voters, while Connecticut forward Alyssa Thomas finished in second place.
The panel voted for Wilson based on her defensive dominance in the post. She led the league in blocks per game (2.23) for the third time in four seasons and tied her career high with 1.4 steals per game.
Despite a short playoff run to this point, Wilson could not be stopped in the first round against the Chicago Sky. She had four blocks and three steals to go along with a 38-point, 16-rebound double-double on Sunday in the Game 2 clincher.
Wilson became the eighth player in league history to win the award twice and the first since Alana Beard with the Los Angeles Sparks to win it in consecutive years (2017-18).
Only three players have ever won the award three times — Tamika Catchings (five), Sylvia Fowles (four) and Sheryl Swoopes (three).
Defensive Player of the Year isn't the only award Wilson could capture for a second straight season. The reigning league MVP has a strong case to win the honor yet again — which would be the third time overall — as the awards continue rolling in.
Wilson and the Aces continue their championship defense Sunday with Game 1 of the league semis against the Dallas Wings (2 p.m., ESPN2).
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
