The 2025 WNBA Awards have already produced several historical milestones for the: the first co-defensive player of the year Honorees, the unprecedented statistical jump by Veronica Burton and the record-breaking Rookie campaign by Paige Bueckers.
The expansion debut of Golden State added another layer, while Natalie Nakase coach of the year earned. With even more prizes, including the top individual honor of the competition, the most improved player prize, the 29th season of the WNBA continues to make history.
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: A WNBA Historic First
Las Vegas, Nevada – August 2: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces rides against Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx in the third quarter of their match in Michelob Ultra Arena on 2 August 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lynx defeated the ACES 111-58. Note for the user: User acknowledges and explicitly states that the user can be downloaded and or to use or to use this photo with the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty images)
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Minnesota Lynx attacker Alanna Smith and Las Vegas Center A’ja Wilson were named the Co-Defensive Players of the Year from the 2025 Kia Wnba, which shared the honor of the Wnba’s Defensive Player of the Year-First in the competition history.
Smith and Wilson each received 29 votes from a national panel of 72 sports writers and broadcasters. It marked the first defensive prize of Smith and the third of Wilson, after victories in 2022 and 2023.
A centerpiece in the best defense of the Lynx, Smith, on average 26.6 minutes past 42 games and finished second in the WNBA in combined steals and blocks (135). She is in third place in blocks per match (1.9) and came in 10th place in Steals (55). Minnesota insured the number 1 play -off seed with a 97.5 defensive assessment, the best in the competition.
Wilson continued her dominance at both ends of the floor. She led the Wnba in blocks per match (2.3), total rebounds (407) and combined stealing and blocks (156). She is also in second place in total blocks (92) and rebounds per game (10.2), so that Las Vegas protects the no. 2 Playoffs seed after a 16-game extraction streak to close the regular season.
Stormwacht Gabby Williams from Seattle finished third in votes with nine voices, followed by Phoenix Mercury Vooruit Alyssa Thomas with three and Minnesota’s Napheeesa Collier with two.
Wnba Rookie of the Year: Bueckers seems in Dallas
Dallas, Texas -August 1: Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas wings, the ball against the Indiana fever in the second half in the American Airlines Center on 1 August 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Note for the user: User acknowledges and explicitly states that the user by downloading this photo and/or giving this photo permission with the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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Dallas Wings Guard Paige Bueckers was named Kia Wnba Rookie of the year from 2025 after a record-stating first season. Bueckers earned 70 of 72 votes, with Sonia Citron from Washington received the remaining two.
Bueckers on average 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while 47.4 percent shoot out of the field and 88.8 percent of the line. She led all the rookies in points, assists and steals while she steals the top 10 of Leaguewide in points, assists and steals per game.
The number 1 General Pick established a single-game Rookie record with 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on August 20 and became the first player in the competition history who scored 40 points at least 80%. She also came in second place for the second time for double digits score games of a Rookie (35).
Bueckers was named a starter in the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2025 and won Rookie of the month Honors in June, July and August. She only became the second Rookie that recorded at least 500 points, 150 assists, 100 rebounds and 50 steals in a season and joined Caitlin Clark (2024).
Most improved player: Burton leads WNBA -Expansion Success
Minneapolis, Minnesota – September 11: Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles the court during the first quarter against the Minnesota Lynx in Target Center on 11 September 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Note for the user: User acknowledges and explicitly states that the user can be downloaded and or to use or to use this photo with the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
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Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton was named the Most Improved Player from 2025 Kia Wnba after a Breakout season that sent the latest franchise from the competition to the play -offs.
Burton earned 68 of 72 votes and surpasses Los Anzurá Stevens, Atlanta’s Allisha Gray and Natisha Hiedeman from Minnesota.
In her first year with Golden State, Burton had an average career heights of 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists while all 44 games start. The figures meant a dramatic jump of her 2024 season in Connecticut, where she had an average of 3.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
She became the first player in the history of WNBA who raised her averages with at least five points, two rebounds and two assists from one season to the next. Burton is in third place in assists per match and ninth in free throw percentage (87.8%).
Her striking moments include the first 24-point, 14-assist, zero-turnover game in the WNBA history and a 30-point, seven-rebound, seven assistant performance at 75 percent.
Burton’s leadership helped Golden State to win 23 games, the most ever by reaching an extension team in his debut season, and the play -offs as the first expansion team that qualifies one in the year.
Coach of the Year: Nakase Gidides Golden State WNBA Debut
Seattle, Washington – September 9: head coach Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries responds during the third quarter against the Seattle Storm in Climate Pledge Arena on September 9, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Note for the user: User acknowledges and explicitly states that the user can be downloaded and or to use or to use this photo with the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty images)
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The inaugural season of Golden State was further recognized when head coach Natalie Nakase won the WNBA Coach of the Year Award 2025.
Nakase received in her first season as a WNBA head coach 53 of 72 votes. Karl Smeesko from Atlanta finished second with 15, while Becky Hammon van Las Vegas and Cheryl Reeve from Minnesota each received two.
Under Nakase, the Valkyries conquered a 2-5 start-end-ending 23-21, which determined a record for most victories by an expansion team in the first season. Golden State was also the first expansion ranchise that reached the play -offs.
The Valkyries led the competition made in three-Pointers (9.7 per match) and allocated the least points per match (76.3). Nakase was named WNBA coach of the month in June in June after a 7-2 piece and led the team to several winning stripes in the late season that achieved a berth after the season.
Wnba Peak Performer Awards
Chicago, IL – 27 June: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky Guards A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces during the first half on 27 June 201024 in Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty images)
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The competition also announced its statistical leaders with the annual Peak Performer Awards. Wilson van Las Vegas earned, in addition to her defensive honor, the score title with 23.4 points per game. Chicago Sky Forward Angel Reese led the WNBA in recovery at 12.6 per match, and Phoenix Mercury Vooruit Alyssa Thomas sustained the competition in assists with 9.2 per match.
MVP Finalists and upcoming prices
The Wnba will continue to announce the honor during the late season. The five finalists for the most valuable player are Napheeesa Collier from Minnesota, Atlanta’s Allisha Gray, Kelsey Mitchell in Indiana, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas and Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson.
The schedule of the remaining prices is as follows:
- September 20: Sixth player of the year
- September 21: Most valuable player
- September 22: Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award
- September 23: Basketball Executive of the Year
- September 29: All-smokie team
- October 1: All-Defensive First and Second Teams
- October 2: Business Executive Leadership Award
- October 7: All-Wnba First and second teams
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