Aces forward A'ja Wilson was named the WNBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the second season in a row, becoming the eighth player in league history to win the award more than once.
Wilson led the WNBA this season with a career-high 2.23 blocks per game. She ranked third in defensive rebounds per game and was 10th in steals per game . She had at least 10 defensive rebounds in a game nine times and also had at least four blocks nine times. The Aces led the WNBA in defensive rating at 99.2.
Wilson said she thinks another sport she played when she was younger, volleyball, helped aspects of her defensive play in basketball. "It taught me how to quick-jump and the coordination of keeping your eye on the ball at all times," she said.The 6-foot-4 Wilson's defense is notable for how well she plays in the paint, but she also can step outside as both a primary and help-side defender when needed. In the Aces' four regular-season games against the Wings, Wilson contested shots against seven different Dallas players -- from centers to point guards -- and they shot 33% on those plays.
"It just takes a lot of pride, understanding where I am and knowing the personnel," Wilson said about her defense."I like to take that challenge of 'Can I guard a 5? Can I guard a 1?' I try to go out there and prove it every time. "I'm not trying to be the world's best [shot-blocker], but if I can contain to help my guards or force a missed shot, I'm happy with that. People always say defense starts with the heart. I try to have as much heart as I can."
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