Las Vegas Aces’ superstar A’ja Wilson has made WNBA history by securing her third Defensive Player of the Year award, tying her with basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes for third-most all-time. This remarkable achievement comes as Wilson shares the 2025 DPOY honor with Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith in the first-ever co-winner scenario.

The dual recognition highlights Wilson’s continued dominance as one of the league’s most complete two-way players, while simultaneously showcasing Smith’s dramatic rise as an elite defender. At just 28 years old, Wilson now stands alongside WNBA greats Tamika Catchings (5 DPOYs) and Sylvia Fowles (4) in the defensive pantheon.

Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson Makes WNBA History with Third DPOY Award Tied with Alanna Smith

Historic Tie: WNBA’s First Co-Defensive Players of the Year

Las Vegas Aces’ superstar A’ja Wilson and Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith have made WNBA history by becoming the league’s first co-Defensive Players of the Year, marking a groundbreaking moment in the association’s 28-year history. The unprecedented tie occurred after both players received exactly 29 votes from the 72-member media panel, forcing the historic shared honor.

This monumental decision highlights the evolving nature of defensive excellence in the WNBA. Wilson, the dominant force for the Aces, earns her third DPOY award in four seasons, joining Sheryl Swoopes for third-most all-time. Meanwhile, Smith’s remarkable transformation from role player to defensive anchor earned her first career DPOY honor, capping off an incredible career resurgence.

The voting results revealed:

• A’ja Wilson: 29 votes
• Alanna Smith: 29 votes
• Napheesa Collier: 14 votes

This tie wasn’t a coincidence but rather a reflection of how differently these two talents impact the game. Wilson is the traditional rim protector while Smith represents the modern, switchable defender. The league’s defensive evolution has created space for both styles to shine equally.

The Historical Context of Shared Awards

While shared awards remain rare in professional sports, this isn’t completely unprecedented. The NBA saw co-Rookie of the Year winners in 1995 (Jason Kidd and Grant Hill) and 2013 (Damian Lillard and Anthony Bennett). However, in the WNBA’s nearly three-decade existence, no major individual award had ever been split until now.

A’ja Wilson’s Defensive Dominance: By the Numbers

Wilson’s third Defensive Player of the Year award cements her status as one of the most dominant two-way players in WNBA history. The 28-year-old Aces forward joined elite company with these remarkable achievements in 2025:

Beyond these numbers, Wilson’s impact extends to the psychological advantage she gives Las Vegas. Opponents shoot 10.2 percentage points worse within six feet of the rim when Wilson is the primary defender, the largest differential among qualifying players.

What makes Wilson truly special isn’t just the blocks or steals—it’s her ability to completely warp offensive gameplans. Teams spend hours preparing specifically for her defensive presence, something only a handful of defenders in history can claim.

Alanna Smith’s Unlikely Rise to Defensive Stardom

While Wilson represents established defensive excellence, Alanna Smith’s journey to sharing the DPOY honor is among the most remarkable transformations in recent WNBA memory. Just two seasons ago, the Australian forward was averaging 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds off the bench for Indiana, struggling to find consistent playing time.

Her breakout season with Minnesota was fueled by these key improvements:

• Perimeter defense: Held opposing wings to just 39.2% shooting
• Versatility: Played 48% of possessions at center and 52% at forward
• Three-point shooting: Improved to 38% while maintaining defensive intensity

Smith’s signature performance came against Connecticut on August 12, when she held MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas to 5-of-18 shooting while adding four steals and three blocks. Her ability to guard all five positions transformed Minnesota into the WNBA’s top-rated defense, proving instrumental in their rise to the #1 seed.

Smith’s story proves development isn’t always linear. At 27, she’s become the poster child for late bloomers, showing how perseverance and adaptability can pay off in unexpected ways. Her defensive IQ improvement from 2023 to 2025 might be the biggest single-season leap I’ve ever seen.

Comparing the Defensive Styles of Wilson and Smith

While both players earned the DPOY honor, their defensive approaches couldn’t be more different. This contrast ultimately made the voting so evenly split:

A’ja Wilson’s Defensive Strengths

• Elite rim protection with impeccable timing
• Physical presence that discourages drives
• Best in drop coverage schemes
• Excellent defensive rebounder

Alanna Smith’s Defensive Strengths

• Switchability across all positions
• Disruptive hands in passing lanes
• Excellent closeout speed on shooters
• Team defensive communication

The statistical comparison reveals fascinating contrasts:

It’s like comparing a shutdown cornerback to an elite pass rusher in football—both tremendously valuable but in completely different ways. Wilson erases mistakes at the rim while Smith prevents offenses from getting comfortable with their sets.

The Impact on WNBA Defensive Strategy Evolution

This unprecedented DPOY tie reflects broader trends in how teams approach defense in the modern WNBA. The league’s increasing offensive firepower—with three-point attempts up 27% since 2020—has forced defensive adaptations that value both traditional rim protectors and versatile perimeter defenders.

The contrast between Las Vegas and Minnesota’s defensive schemes highlights this evolution:

• Aces’ approach: Build around Wilson’s rim protection, funnel drivers into her
• Lynx’s approach: Switch-heavy system leveraging Smith’s versatility

Interestingly, both systems found equal success in 2025. Minnesota led the league in defensive rating (95.3) while Las Vegas was close behind (97.1), proving there’s no single “right” way to build an elite defense.

This shared award might finally put to rest the tired debate about whether rim protection or switchability matters more. The future belongs to teams that can somehow find both—like Chicago’s Candace Parker in her prime or Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas today.

Future Implications for Both Players and the League

Beyond individual accolades, this historic tie raises important questions about the future of WNBA awards voting and defensive strategy:

Hall of Fame Implications

For Wilson, this third DPOY strengthens her case as one of the greatest two-way players in WNBA history. At just 28, she’s already:

• Third-most DPOY awards ever
• Two-time MVP
• Two-time WNBA champion
• 2024 Finals MVP

Future Award Voting Procedures

The tie inevitably led to discussions about potential voting reforms. Unlike the NBA, which uses a point system (5 points for first, 3 for second, 1 for third), the WNBA’s simpler method made this tie possible. Some key considerations:

While some call for change, I hope the league keeps the potential for ties. This shared honor perfectly captured a season where two defenders redefined excellence in different ways—that’s worth celebrating more than artificial separation.

As both players are signed long-term (Wilson through 2027, Smith through 2026), we may see more defensive battles between these contrasting styles in coming seasons. With Wilson entering her prime and Smith just hitting hers, this historic tie could be just the beginning of a fascinating defensive rivalry.