WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Rankings 2024: Top 5 candidates ft. A'ja Wilson (Week 12)

Week 12 of the 2024 WNBA season is in the books now, and some players are getting closer to securing individual awards. As the league enters the final stretch of the regular season, it's hard to imagine players will miss out on these awards unless somebody goes on an unexpected run.

The Defensive Player of the Year award has five solid candidates this season, but it seems like only three have a shot at taking this prize home.

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Top 5 WNBA DPOY candidates in 2024 after Week 12

#5. Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx

Minnesota Lynx v Las Vegas Aces - Source: Getty

Alanna Smith returned to his list after posting terrific numbers last week. Despite only grabbing 3.7 defensive rebounds per game, she averaged 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals per outing. Moreover, she boasted a 98.8 defensive rating in three games. For the season, she's averaging 1.7 bpg and 1.4 spg and a defensive rating of 92.8.

#4. Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm

Seattle Storm v Washington Mystics - Source: Getty

Ezi Magbegor lost a spot on this list compared to last week. She averaged 1.0 spg and 1.0 bpg in two games. Her defensive rating was 90.6, while she grabbed 8.5 defensive rebounds per game. In this WNBA season, Magbegor averages 6.0 DREB, 1.3 spg and 2.3 bpg while boasting a 92.1 defensive rating in 29 games.

#3. Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

New York Liberty v Phoenix Mercury - Source: Getty

Breanna Stewart got the edge over Ezi Magbegor this week after averaging 1.5 spg and 1.0 bpg. The New York Liberty star averaged 7.8 DREB and posted an 88.2 DEF RTG while leading her team to a 3-1 record. Stewart was already great this season, but she's reaching new heights with her recent performances.

For the season, she averages 7.3 DREB, 1.9 spg and 1.4 bpg. Stewie's 93.8 DEF RTG is solid, and if she keeps posting these numbers, the first and second-ranked players on this list might be in trouble.

#2. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

WNBA: MAY 23 Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun - Source: Getty

Napheesa Collier didn't have the best week on the defensive end, although she went undefeated with the Lynx in three games. She still posted 8.0 DREB, 1.3 spg and 0.7 bpg while boasting a 99.5 DEF RTG. Collier poses a serious threat to A'ja Wilson, but the same can be said about Breanna Stewart and the Lynx's star.

Collier averages 7.6 DREB, 2.1 spg and 1.2 bpg in the 2024 WNBA season. She has a 91.5 DEF RTG to round up a solid case for the DPOY award.

#1. A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

WNBA: AUG 25 Las Vegas Aces at Chicago Sky - Source: Getty

A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces didn't have the best week, losing two of their last three games. The star center still put on decent numbers, averaging 7.7 DREB, 1.3 spg and 1.0 bpg. She finished the week with a DEF RTG of 115.7. In 29 games this season, Wilson averages 9.7 DREB, 2.0 spg and 2.7 bpg added to a 100.0 DEF RTG.

Even though she didn't have the most spectacular week, Wilson remains the clear favorite to take this award home.