Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has won the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Collier, a four-time All-Star, is having a stellar season, averaging 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, as well as 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks. The 28-year-old forward finished second in the MVP voting behind unanimous MVP winner A’ja Wilson.
Earlier this week, Collier led Minnesota to the semifinals after two dominant postseason performances, scoring a total of 80 points – a first in the WNBA – in the two-game sweep over the Phoenix Mercury
In her sixth season in the WNBA, Collier has established herself as a dominant force on both ends of the court. Collier ranks in the WNBA’s top ten in several major categories, including points, rebounds, steals and blocks, both per game and with totals.
She ranks third in the league in rebounds per game and second in steals per game, giving her a strong defensive presence while still scoring points on offense. Nearly all of her season averages mark career highs for the Minnesota forward.
Collier, who has taken on an even bigger leadership role with this Lynx squad, is averaging 34.7 minutes per game this season – a career-high and third-highest in the league. The Lynx finished the regular season with a 30–10 record, the second-best record in the WNBA.
In addition to Wilson and Collier, the other four WNBA awards were rounded out by Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington, who took home Most Improved Player earlier this week, and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who reportedly won Rookie of the Year . Clark and Collier’s awards were not officially announced, but were seemingly leaked in an unrelated statement released by the WNBPA on Friday, prior to Charania’s report.
After beating the Mercury, Collier and the Lynx will face the Sun in a best-of-five semifinal. The first game takes place on Sunday in Minnesota.
