Aces forward A’ja Wilson has been selected as the 2022 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in the franchise’s history to win the award.
It is the first time Wilson, 26, has won the award. She earned 20 of the 56 votes from the panel of national sportswriters and broadcasters, while runner-up Alyssa Thomas, who plays for the Sun, earned 14. Storm forward Breanna Stewart finished third with 13 votes. Wilson will receive $5,150 and a Tiffany & Co. trophy that has been specially designed.
The four-time All-Star joins teammate Jackie Young and coach Becky Hammon with league awards. Young won the WNBA’s 2022 Most Improved Player, while Hammon earned the 2022 WNBA Coach of the Year.