It’s official: A’ja Wilson is the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The Las Vegas Aces forward was named the winner of the award on Tuesday, making her the first player in league history to win the honor in back-to-back seasons.
Wilson, who was selected No. 1 overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft, has been a force on the defensive end since entering the league. She led the league in blocks per game (2.2) and total blocks (61) during the 2020 season, while also ranking in the top 10 in rebounds per game (7.5) and steals per game (1.3).
The 23-year-old South Carolina product also earned her first All-Star selection this season, and she was named to the All-WNBA First Team for the first time in her career. Wilson has quickly become one of the most dominant players in the league, and her defensive prowess has been a major factor in her success.
“A’ja Wilson has established herself as one of the most dominant players in the WNBA, and her defensive prowess is a major reason why,” said WNBA President Cathy Engelbert. “We congratulate A’ja on this well-deserved honor and look forward to watching her continue to make an impact on both ends of the court.”
Wilson is the first player to win back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards since Tamika Catchings in 2011 and 2012. She joins Catchings, Margo Dydek, and Sheryl Swoopes as the only players to win the award multiple times in their careers.
Wilson’s defensive dominance has been a major factor in the Aces’ success this season. Las Vegas finished with the best record in the league at 18-4, and they are currently in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.
It’s clear that A’ja Wilson is one of the best players in the WNBA, and her second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award is a testament to that. She is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court, and it will be exciting to see what she does next.
