WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

2026 — F Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream

2025 — C A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas and F Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx

2024 — F Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

2023 — C A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

2022 — C A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

2021 — C Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx

2020 — F/C Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks

2019 — G/F Natasha Howard, Seattle Storm

2018 — G/F Alana Beard, Los Angeles Sparks

2017 — G/F Alana Beard, Los Angeles Sparks

2016 — C Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx

2015 — C Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

2014 — C Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

2013 — C Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Sky

2012 — F Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

2011 — C Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Sky

2010 — F Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

2009 — F Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

2008 — C Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

2007 — F/C Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm

2006 — F Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

2005 — F Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

2004 — C Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

2003 — G/F Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets

2002 — G/F Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets

2001 — G Debbie Black, Miami Sol

2000 — G/F Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets

1999 — C Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs

1998 — G Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty

1997 — G Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty

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