WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots during a matchup of top WNBA awards candidates between the Connecticut Sun and the New York Liberty at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA on May 27, 2023.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA midseason awards

By Emily Adler / July 26, 2023

MVP, Coach of the Year up for grabs; ROY is Boston’s to lose

Four pictures in a collage: on the left, Seattle Storm big wing Breanna Stewart, mid-air, leaps from under the rim to Dallas Wing big Isabelle Harrison and blocks Harrison's shot with her fingertips; on the top-right, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson extends a hand up and out to deter a shot while keeping her back between Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles and the basket, as Fowles catches the ball just outside Wilson's reach; on the bottom-left, Connecticut Sun big wing Alyssa Thomas keeps a hand on the side of Washington big wing Elena Delle Donne while they jockey for post position

The Next’s 2022 WNBA Awards: Defensive Player of the Year and All-Defense

By Emily Adler / September 2, 2022

Breanna Stewart rises to the top

Seattle Storm big wing Breanna Stewart leans back with the ball high above her head as she begins to shoot a fadeaway jumper, while New York Liberty big Natasha Howard leans toward her with an arm outstretched to try to block the shot.

The Next’s 2022 WNBA midseason awards

By Emily Adler / July 11, 2022

Stewart, Wilson in tight MVP race; Howard leads ROY pack

Who wins Defensive Player of the Year in the WNBA?

By Jenn Hatfield / October 9, 2021

Looking at the award’s history, one position tends to be favored, winning 17 of the 25 awards to date

Sylvia Fowles

Sylvia Fowles named Defensive Player of the Year

By Tee Baker / September 26, 2021

Lynx center adds another accolade to legendary career

Candace Parker wins 2020 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

By David Mendez-Yapkowitz / September 24, 2020

MVP, Finals MVP, Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game MVP, and now Candace Parker has some new hardware to add to the collection