Shocking stat reveals A’ja Wilson has competition as WNBA’s best defender originally appeared on Sports news. Add The Sporting News as Favorite source by clicking here.
A’ja Wilson can do just about anything on the basketball court. The 2025 season only served to further the legacy she has built since entering the WNBA in 2018 and immediately becoming an All-Star.
Advertisement
Last season, Wilson won his record fourth MVP award and led the The Aces of Las Vegas to their third championship in four years after a 14-14 start. Additionally, Wilson won her third Defensive Player of the Year award; in a unique arrangement, she shared this honor with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith.
But is Wilson really the best defender in the WNBA? In terms of defensive rating, it is. The Aces have allowed 96 points per 100 possessions with Wilson on the floor in 2025; it was the second time in three seasons that Wilson led The W in the category.
However, Wilson has real competition as the best defensive guard in the league.
The save percentage stat measures a player’s effectiveness at recovering steals, recovering blocks, and taking charges. Among players who played at least 250 minutes in 2025, Wilson ranked sixth in save rate, behind Phoenix Mercury center Natasha Mack.
Advertisement
Topping the rankings for 2025 is Lynx forward Maria Kliundikova. His Minnesota teammate Smith placed third in the standings, while Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins placed second.
No one would seriously dispute that Wilson is not the best and most influential defender in the WNBA. She has posted a defensive rating below 100 in each of the last seven seasons, becoming the only player in the league to post such a rating.
But even though she stands alone in terms of overall talent, Wilson has company among the WNBA’s defensive elite.
