Minnesota Lynx ahead Alanna Smith and Las Vegas Aces middle Aja Wilson have been named the 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Gamers of the Yr, marking the primary time in league historical past the award has been shared.
Smith and Wilson every obtained 29 votes from a nationwide panel of 72 sportswriters and broadcasters, the WNBA introduced at present. Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams completed second with 9 votes, adopted by Phoenix Mercury ahead Alyssa Thomas with three votes and Minnesota Lynx ahead Napheesa Collier with two votes.
This represents Smith’s first Defensive Participant of the Yr award and Wilson’s third, having beforehand received in 2022 and 2023.
Smith began all 42 video games for Minnesota in her seventh WNBA season, averaging 26.6 minutes per sport. The 2024 All-Defensive Second Workforce choice helped lead the Lynx to the No. 1 seed within the WNBA Playoffs.
Minnesota posted a league-best 97.5 defensive ranking with Smith anchoring their protection. She completed second total in mixed steals and blocks with 135, ranked third in blocks per sport at 1.9 and complete blocks with 80, whereas including 55 steals.
Smith, drafted eighth total in 2019, has developed right into a defensive cornerstone for the Lynx. The staff superior to the semifinals following a 2-0 first-round victory in opposition to the Golden State Valkyries.
Wilson began all 40 video games for Las Vegas whereas averaging 31.2 minutes per sport in her eighth season. The three-time All-Defensive First Workforce honoree helped the Aces safe the No. 2 seed following a 16-game win streak to shut the common season.
Wilson led the WNBA in blocks per sport at 2.3, complete rebounds with 407, defensive rebounds with 316, and mixed steals and blocks with 156. She additionally ranked second in complete blocks with 92 and rebounds per sport at 10.2.
The dominant two-way participant additionally led the league offensively in 2025, recording 937 complete factors, 23.4 factors per sport, 332 discipline targets made, and 248 free throws made.
