A'ja Wilson has made history once again by being named the AP Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. The Las Vegas Aces forward continues to showcase her impressive skills, leading her to surpass competitors Napheesa Collier of Minnesota and Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix, both of whom had outstanding seasons. Aces coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson’s all-around performance, stating, "She’s the most exciting player in the WNBA. And here’s the thing, she’s also the most exciting player on the defensive end." Hammon highlighted Wilson's ability to produce defensive highlights consistently, which sets her apart in the league.
In addition to her Player of the Year accolade, Wilson was also recognized as the AP Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four seasons. Reflecting on her defensive achievements, Wilson noted, "Considering coach (Dawn) Staley was so hard on me about my defense in college, I’m glad I can have some success at the pro level multiple times." As the WNBA playoffs approach, Wilson stands as a strong favorite to win the league’s MVP award for the second straight season, with her odds improving dramatically from +650 to -350 in recent betting lines.
The voting for the AP awards was conducted by a 14-member national media panel responsible for the weekly power rankings. This is the 10th year the awards have been presented. Throughout the season, Wilson dominated the league, leading in scoring with an impressive average of 23.4 points per game and in blocked shots with 2.3.
Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings' first overall pick, was named the AP Rookie of the Year after a stellar debut season, averaging 19.2 points and 5.4 assists. She had a remarkable game where she scored 44 points, the highest in the WNBA this season. Bueckers expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am very grateful for everyone who voted and saw me fit for Rookie of the Year," and emphasized the impact of her teammates and the Dallas Wings organization on her accomplishment.
Bueckers was joined on the AP All-Rookie team by other standout newcomers, including Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen from Washington, Leila Lacan from Connecticut, Janelle Salaun from Golden State, and Dominique Malonga from Seattle. "Shoutout to this amazing rookie class," Bueckers stated, acknowledging the diverse backgrounds and talents showcased throughout the season.
The AP All-WNBA first team featured unanimous picks Wilson, Collier, and Thomas, alongside Allisha Gray from Atlanta and Kelsey Mitchell from Indiana. The second team included notable names such as Sabrina Ionescu from New York, Bueckers, Nneka Ogwumike from Seattle, Kelsey Plum from Los Angeles, and Jackie Young from Las Vegas.
Additional AP award winners included Natalie Nakase as Coach of the Year for leading the Golden State Valkyries to a playoff berth in their inaugural season, marking a milestone for first-year teams in the league. Shakira Austin from the Washington Mystics was named the Comeback Player of the Year after recovering from injuries to average 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds this season. Veronica Burton received the Most Improved Player award, highlighting her breakout season with career highs in scoring and assists. Lastly, Naz Hillmon was recognized as the Sixth Woman of the Year for her significant contribution to the Atlanta Dream, helping them secure a playoff spot with her solid performance off the bench.
In the AP WNBA Power Poll, the Las Vegas Aces, driven by a remarkable 16-game winning streak, claimed the top position, with the Minnesota Lynx following closely behind. The Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty secured the third and fourth spots, respectively, while the Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever, Seattle Storm, Golden State Valkyries, and Los Angeles Sparks completed the top rankings. The Connecticut Sun, Washington Mystics, Dallas Wings, and Chicago Sky rounded off the poll.
