LAS VEGAS – Aces star A’ja Wilson earned her third WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award in unprecedented fashion Thursday, and coach Becky Hammon wasn’t thrilled with the result.
Wilson and Lynx forward Alanna Smith shared the honor, the league announced.
Smith and Wilson received 29 votes each from a national panel of 72 writers and broadcasters.
It’s the first time in WNBA history the award has been shared. Wilson and Smith, a first-time honoree, each receive $5,150 and a commemorative trophy.
Wilson, 28, was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and ’23. She is the reigning MVP and is the favorite to win the award for a record fourth time this year. The WNBA will announce that winner Sunday morning.
Wilson played a key role in the Aces’ 16-game winning streak to close the regular season, which helped them secure the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
Hammon, before the Aces defeated the No. 7-seeded Seattle Storm 74-73 in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round playoff series Thursday night, was blunt when asked for her thoughts on the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
“I guess I’m just confused by the ‘Co,’ ” Hammon said. “You guys said [Lynx forward Napheesa Collier] was the best defensive player last year, and then now she’s not. I mean, I don’t know. I’d love to make the voting public. I don’t know how it came in a tie, but apparently it did. To me, there’s no comparison. A white-tailed deer looks really good until an elk walks into the room.”
